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Posts Tagged ‘cancer hats’

This week, we would like to honor Kamryn Schumann, our HOC Hero of the Week!  4-year-old Kamryn was diagnosed with Stage 3 Wilms’ Tumor in November 2010.

Kamryn is an inspiration to ALL those around her! She was never a victim to cancer; she fought and beat cancer, and continues to be a strong girl! Who ever said that kids can’t be teachers? Kamryn has taught me to treasure life and face challenges in a new way. She’s truly an angel here on Earth!

Kamryn shows off her Disney Princess hat sent by Hats Off For Cancer in 2011

We are happy to report that Kamryn beat cancer in June 2011, and has been cancer-free ever since!

Kamryn in 2012, showing off her big smile as a cancer survivor!

To mark this incredible news, a family friend wrote this poem for Kamryn and shared it with us:

S– Sometimes life’s obstacles become one of our greatest ife stories its true, Even though we don’t understand why things happen they way they do.

U– Understanding God’s  plan is left unknown and hard, But we cannt give up hope and let down our guard

R– Remembering that your family and friends were all near made it easier to face challenges and anything you feared

V– Voices of prayer were spoken for you, To keep you wiht God’s angels and all you went through

I– In Novemeber you faced the biggest batttle of all, But throught the whole thing you stood courageous and tall

V– Victim of cancer, is what you were not,  You stayed strong and brave in every step that you fought

O– On June 27, 2011, the best news was sent from above, For God and his angels watched over you and surrounded you wth their love

R– Reading the scan came easy for doctors as they delivered the news that day- They said you were finished and a SURVIVOR it’s true, Forever and Always!

(written by Holly Cole)

You can keep track of Kamryn’s story through her CaringBridge page.

If you know a child or teen who is battling or has battled cancer and you want to nominate them for our next HOC Hero of the Week, tell us about your hero and include photos and any links to their pages so we can support them!  Fill out the nomination form here: http://hatsoffforcancer.org/nominate-hero

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Thanks again for the many nominations of deserving children and teens who are battling or have battled cancer!

This week we chose to honor four-year old Connor Tilney.  Connor was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia last October and faces 2 years of chemotherapy.

Here are some recent photos of Connor:

Connor Tilney: HOC Hero of the Week

Connor Tilney: HOC Hero of the Week

Let Connor know you’re thinking about him and his family by visiting his Caring Bridge page.

If you know a child or teen who is battling or has battled cancer and you want to nominate them for our next HOC Hero of the Week, tell us about your hero and include photos and any links to their pages so we can support them!  Fill out the nomination form here: http://hatsoffforcancer.org/nominate-hero

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We received many nominations for our very first HOC Hero of the Week, but no one received more nominations than Haylee Bjorn.  Haylee is a 10-year-old girl fighting A.L.L. Leukemia, diagnosed just days before Christmas, 2011.  Those nominating Haylee described her contagious upbeat spirit and big smile that lights up a room.

Haylee Bjorn

We couldn’t think of a better person to be our first Hero!  Here are some of the comments received in support of Haylee:

When others were celebrating Christmas and Santa – she and her family were worrying about health…But there it was – that smile – the smile that she has continued to show to the world – the smile that says I am going to make it ….and it will be OK…she reminds us all to enjoy the day, live it to the fullest and savor the gifts we have. So yes – hero of the week – hero of the decade – this young girl who shares herself with all of us.

Her spirits have been nothing but positive thus far. In a matter of two months, she has manged to touch so many hearts. Her positive attitude makes her a hero in everyones eyes. Even when things got rough, her precious smile never left her face. She endured a month long stay in the hospital due to complications. She is truly an inspiration and a true HERO to every heart she touches.

My heart breaks for her everytime I see her…in pain or she is afraid to do or take something, yet my heart is filled with joy and love for her smile and how much I LOVE THIS KID and seeing how much everyone else loves her…every mother knows they would do anything for there child and how much they love them, but when you’re in this position your reminded every minute of every day.

Let Haylee know you’re thinking about her and sending her prayers through the Pray for Haylee facebook page.

If you know a child or teen who is battling or has battled cancer and you want to nominate them for our next HOC Hero of the Week, tell us about your hero and include photos and any links to their pages so we can support them!  Fill out the nomination form here: http://hatsoffforcancer.org/nominate-hero

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We received this in our inbox from Brittany!  Please check out Alex’s web site.

My niece Alexandria (Alex) loved her Minnie Mouse hat!
The following is a link to her website with her story
https://www.wepay.com/donate/178864

Thank you to our donors and supporters that make Alex’s smiles possible as she shows off her new hat.

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Recently, a fashion photographer traveled to Europe to photograph during the S/S 2012 runway season.  He brought his special yellow cap with him and photographed models wearing it.  He dedicated this to Hats Off For Cancer.  Thank you, to Bonae L’amour for dedicating this to our organization and the children battling cancer everyday & 65 models who participated in this wonderful project!

Constance JablonskiColinne Michaelis

Here is more about the project in his words:

A spontaneous collaboration between Bonae L’amour & 65 models during the S/S 2012 runway season.

As a kid growing up in the city of New Orleans, LA (aka “The Big Easy”), I was nicknamed “B. Easy” for my chill and stress-free demeanor, which was picked up by the friendliness of the people of my hometown.

I collected baseball caps and loved wearing them as a teenager. When I moved away from home, I abandoned a part of the old me because I was trying to be corporate and strict to please a formal girlfriend.

After that breakup, I was reunited with the love of my life Ann, who gifted me with this yellow cap before she died. She had it custom-made so that “B. Easy” was included on the side of the cap to remind me of being true to myself and to continue to live the philosophy of “B.Easy. No Stress. No Stress.”

There has been no greater gift to me, aside from the gift of life, than the yellow cap because it stands for something beyond the motto. It stands for love and being loved and accepted by others for being true to yourself. In my travels to Europe, I took the cap with me to share love and acceptance with others.

“B. Easy” = “Be chill. Relax. No stress. No Stress. Live carefree. No worries. Hakuna Matata.”

The life of a model is very stressful during fashion week. The luxury and glamor that we all see on the runway are not what these catwalkers experience behind the scenes. I traveled to Europe to photograph and cheer them on during the S/S 2012 runway season.In the end, by chance and kindness, 65 high fashion models were great sports and joined the fun. In the spirit of spreading love and the “be easy” or care-free philosophy, they wore this cap so graciously for my camera in Europe. Click here for a full list of all the leading ladies who looked absolutely fly and hot with the cap!

This was a spontaneous collaboration. The cap is not for sale. I just wanted to share the message of love and acceptance with you all.

For those who are interested, I am dedicating the entire project to Hats Off for Cancer – a non-profit organization that collects and donates hats of all kinds to the courageous children who lose their hair due to cancer treatments. Please visit their site to make a donation and/or find more ways to get involved.

With love always,

Damian Bao / bonaelamour.com

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More than 500 groups are holding Mad Hatter drives throughout the United States during October and November.  This is our fifth year holding a special Mad Hatter event and coordinating them nationwide.  We’ve seen some great photos posted to our Facebook page.  Here are a few:

Howard Health and Life Sciences High School had fun on Mad Hatter Day. We raised close to $300 for Hats off for Cancer and collected so many hats!

Morningside Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah hosted our first Silly Hat Day at Morningside Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah. 119 new hats collected! and lots of fun hats worn to school to help raise awareness for childhood cancer.

Stephen F Elementary School in Jones Creek, Texas donated over 150 brand new hats for the cause! The students were thrilled to show they care! we closed the hat drive off with a Mad Hatter day Popsicle Party! Way to go SFA!

Girl Scout Troop 5497 from Gravette, Arkansas hosted a Mad Hatter Tea Party, and afterwards knitted hats for Hats Off For Cancer. The hats that have been knitted and collected will be donated to Arkansas Children's Hsopital and St. Jude's Hospital.

Gainesville, Florida at O2B Kids Midtown Branch celebrates the kick-off for their Mad Hatter drive and tea party.

Did your group hold a hat or fundraising drive this year?  If so, post your photos to our Facebook page.

Interested in signing up your group/school/company to participate in Mad Hatter 2011?  There’s still time to sign up here.

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September 1st (today) marks the beginning of a month dedicated to bringing awareness to children fighting cancer. Here at Hats Off For Cancer we focus on children fighting cancer all year round.  However, this is a great opportunity to get the larger public involved in becoming more aware and more involved in helping these brave, young cancer patients.

I found a wonderfully written letter in the news this morning and I would like to share it with you.  It was written by Rod Hamilton, a Representative from Minnesota in District 22B.

For 43 families, today will be a difficult day. Thirty-six of them will have a child diagnosed with cancer; seven will see their child lose their battle.

Each year, 40,000 children undergo cancer treatment. The rate of childhood cancer has been increasing over the past 20 years, and it is now the leading cause of death by a disease in children under age 15. The average age of a child diagnosed with cancer: 6 years old. The causes: Unknown. The effect: Lifelong.

These statistics are sobering. Let them prompt you to take action. September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. You can make a difference. Become a blood donor. It’s not the first thing people think of, but children in cancer treatment need blood. Remember, too, that every child battling cancer has a family. Give them your support and assistance as they endure tough times.

So by now, you’re probably wondering if there’s something you can do to help these kids.  Fortunately, there are ways that you can help provide smiles for these brave children while they’re fighting for their lives.

  • Hold a Mad Hatter hat or fundraising drive in your community, at your school, at your company or business, or with your organization (Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Key Club, Lions, Kiwanis, PTA, Dance Team, Cheerleading Team, etc…) Register for your official e-packet here: http://bit.ly/MadHatterHOC
    • Host a Mad Hatter Tea Party
    • Hold a Crazy Hat Parade and show off your craziest hat
    • Charge $1-$2 to wear hats at school for the day
    • Have an “Unbirthday” party and ask your friends to bring new hats to the celebration
    • Host a booth at your town’s fall carnival
    • The possibilities are endless!
  • Use our “Request a hat” form to personally request the perfect hat for a child that you know who is battling cancer.
  • Host a Tea Party and wear your favorite hat
  • Get a local band to put on a concert in honor of these kids and ask for a donation for Hats Off For Cancer at the door.
  • Ask your school to hold a dance and charge a small admission or a new hat for entrance.
  • Have a decorating or knitting party and create beautiful hats for the kids who lose their hair.
  • Go to your local hospital and volunteer during their play time.  These cancer patients are kids, too.  They want to have fun just like any child.
We hope that these suggestions will motivate you to help make a difference this month in the lives of children fighting cancer.  Together, we can make a childhood cancer patient’s day a bit happier and their smile a bit brighter.

Hats Off For Cancer is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS and considered tax-exempt to the fullest extent of the law.  All donations will receive a gift receipt in order for tax purposes.  As one of the leading hat programs As one of the leading and original hat programs, Hats Off For Cancer has donated more than 1,000,000 brand new hats to hospitals, camps, and individuals worldwide since it began in 1996. 

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