Hey all!
I’m excited to talk about this non-profit organization based in Chicago that my family personally had experience with…
Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation
They are an amazing organization and they have done so much for children. Kathleen Casey CEO/Founder started the organization in 1992 in honor of her son Barrett “Bear” Krupa.
The organization provides support to pediatric cancer patients with programs designed to create hope and to eliminate pediatric cancer.
They have 2 main programs: Bear Hugs and Bear Discoveries.
Bear Hugs
A customized experience they grant to the child to brighten their life through the horrendous experiences of hospital-stays and chemotherapy. This is when my family experienced Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The social worker at the hospital contacted them and they contacted my daughter who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) in January 2010, she was 5 years old at the time. The Bear Hug could be anything the child desired maybe a new toy or to meet a celebrity.
We had a challenge for them. My daughter, Amelie, had expressed interest in playing a musical instrument. We tossed a few ideas like piano, violin, guitar… and she shouted VIOLIN! Okay… I was sure that this was the first Bear Hug of it’s kind. They worked it out to my amazement. They contacted Sherwood Community Music School at Columbia College in Chicago and Susan Cook agreed to provide her with her own violin and lessons!
Is that awesome or what?
Now if you haven’t experienced a child going through cancer, something such as an experience as this is a miracle. People are donating their time and effort for my little girl. Cancer is scary and especially for a child. To have the experience of having her own personal violin teacher come to the house for private lessons and her very own violin. AMAZING!
Emilia Blaszak, is the best violin teacher ever! She made the lessons fun. She drove all over Chicago and Chicagoland area to meet with so many students. Talk about dedication to children and the arts.
The experience gave my child confidence and hope that life would be better. That was the biggest Bear Hug she could ever get.
Take a look at Amelie and Emilia in their newsletter here.
Precious moments!
Bear Discoveries
This program awards medical research grants to junior investigative researchers to help find a CURE and improvements of therapy.
Isn’t that a wonderful thought? A world with NO cancer.
If you’re able to give to this worthy cause or if you want to spread the word of the tremendous work Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation does, please do.
Pediatric cancer sucks! Tweet this!
Organizations like Bear Necessities know what cancer is and all their efforts do make a difference!
Have you ever had an experience with a non-profit that is just near and dear to your heart because they show they actually CARE?
Tell me about them in the comments. I would love to hear all about them.
Blessings,
Lillian De Jesus
Tigerlily 