Holiday cards raise money for pediatric cancer patients
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The beginning of November signals the coming of the holiday season, which means people all across the country will begin sending cards to friends and family.
Every year at West Virginia University Children’s Hospital, pediatric cancer patients and their siblings design Cards of Hope, which are the main funding source for the Cure Kids Cancer Fund, a project of WVU Children’s Hospital that ensures patients are provided state-of-the-art medical care, as well as psychological and social support for them and their families. Card sales also benefit the Beads of Courage program, which allows pediatric cancer patients the opportunity to tell their cancer stories through strings of beads.
“No child or family should have to face cancer alone. The money we raise through the sale of Cards of Hope goes a long way to supporting those families,” Cheryl Jones, R.N., director of WVU Children’s Hospital, said. “That’s why we’re so grateful for the individuals and businesses that have supported Cards of Hope over the years.”
The 21st edition of Cards of Hope is on sale now and feature designs by:
- Karus Ball, 10, of Mill Creek
- Danielle Bartlett, 13, of Richwood
- Endsley Batton, 6, of Morgantown
- Preston Batton, 8, of Morgantown
- Becky Diller, 18, of Oakland, Md.
- Leah Fletcher, 22, of Mt. Clare
- Brittany Harrigan, 17, of Sardis, Ohio
- Katie Llewellyn, 16, of Frostburg, Md.
- Katrina Oldland, 5, of Grafton
- Savannah Stalnaker, 16, and Isaiah Dean, 9, of Buckhannon and Winter Haven, Fla.
In addition to the holiday cards, there is also an all-occasion card that was designed last year by the late Izabella McManaway and her sisters, Zoe and Zavery, of Fayetteville. The card features a butterfly on the front and is blank on the inside. This design can be purchased in a package of 20 cards with 21 envelopes.
All packages of cards – either single designs or the collection – are $15. Cards can be purchased online at http://epay.wvsto.com/WVU/WVUChildrensHospitalCards/Default.aspx or by phone at 304-598-4346 ext. 2. They can also be purchased in the Friends Gift Shop in Ruby Memorial Hospital and Old Navy stores in Morgantown, Bridgeport, Tridelphia, Vienna and Barboursville.
The Kroger Co. has provided underwriting for this year’s Cards of Hope project. This means that 100 percent of every package of cards sold will help pediatric cancer patients and their families.
WVU Children’s Hospital – located within Ruby Memorial, WVU Healthcare’s flagship hospital – provides maternal, infant and pediatric care for West Virginia and the surrounding region, giving care to high-risk mothers, premature infants and children with life-threatening conditions through adolescence to adulthood. For information on WVU Children’s Hospital, see www.wvukids.com.
