This is the question Joey Doolittle asked his mom, Kim back in February 2008. "What do you mean?" she said. "I want to buy toys for the other kids like me at the hospital," Joey answered.
The Child Life Program at the AFLAC Cancer Center, Scottish Rites Hospital, Atlanta is in the business of comfort. That is, they provide the needed comfort and support to children battleing cancer and blood disorder diseases. As well, they also help the families of those children. They do this through various methods, some as simple as providing a toy to a boy or girl while going through chemotherapy. Or by passing out coloring books to the siblings of the sick children. They too need comfort, as they sit side by side with their brother or sister, watching them fight through the treatments. Providing toys to the kids has proven to be extremely effective in enhancing their overall treatments. The toys of course act as a distraction, but they also mean so much more. To really appreciate the significance of the Child Life toy program, you'd have to witness a 5 or 6 year old little boy or girl getting their chemotheraphy port-a-cath accessed for the first time. These toys are important! The Child Life Program has helped Joey and his family for several years. Their on-going support to all the families of the AFLAC Cancer Center in Atlanta has been such a blessing to those of us thrust into this longterm battle against the disease.
Our mission at Joey's Toy Box is to answer his question with an astounding yes! People will give money to a little kid. We firmly believe that Joey's message to help the kids with cancer and their families by providing funding to the Child Life Program will not go unanswered. The generosity of the Child Life Program alone, has motivated Joey to try to help. Now he wants your help. It is the mission of Joey's Toy Box to spread the word about this important program and to collect money, and even individual toys, for the Child Life Program at the AFLAC Cancer Center, Scottish Rite Hospital, Atlanta, GA.
Joey Doolittle has battled cancer since being first diagnosed at 3 months old. His form of cancer is called Rhabdomyosarcoma. It's a rare and very agressive type of cancer that he's fought his entire life. Joey's almost 9 years old now, and he's touched so many lives. Now, through his own idea, he wants to touch the lives of the very children and their families that he can most relate. We ask that you would please help Joey to see his mission through by kindly donating to this new and worthwhile organization, Joey's Toy Box.
Thank you and God Bless.