We are celebrating the Hugs for Brady Foundation’s 10th Anniversary!
That’s 10 amazing years of helping children with pediatric cancer in countless ways. And none of it would have been possible without you—our generous and loyal supporters. This very special milestone reminds us why we started Hugs for Brady and motivates us to honor Brady’s name each and every year moving forward so that children battling cancer know there is hope.
In honor of Hugs for Brady Foundation’s 10th Anniversary, take a look at some of the awesome achievements of our first ten years.
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Cutting-Edge Research and Treatments Devoted Solely to Children
In 2018, Hugs for Brady partnered with the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey to open The Hugs for Brady Foundation Pediatric Cancer Research Lab.
It is the Institute’s only lab devoted to its Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program, which is critical because nationwide only 4% of cancer research goes to pediatric research.
Under the direction of Dr. Peter Cole, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Chair, the lab develops treatments for pediatric cancer and for reducing the toxicity of anticancer therapies—research that will benefit children worldwide.
A Research Story
Dr. Cole seeks to determine why side effects are more severe among some children than others as well as to identify strategies to protect against neurotoxicity. It is very meaningful to know that Brady’s legacy will live on through the research at this lab.
Sedation-Free MRI the First of Its Kind
The use of MRIs as a diagnostic and follow-up tool in children is common, but typically requires the use of anesthesia to ensure an accurate scan. Because there are risks associated with the use of anesthesia, Hugs for Brady partnered with New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital to provide sedation-free MRIs to pediatric patients.
A patient-centered plan tailored specifically to the needs and behaviors of the child in order to optimize the potential for a sedation-free session is developed involving a certified child life specialist (CCLS), the patient and his or her family, and preparation sessions to ensure the best possible experience for the child undergoing the MRI. Through various tactics including tours, a mock scanner, teaching videos, as well as movie goggles, music, or simply parent involvement, this patient-centered approach has resulted in overwhelmingly positive outcomes.
The success of sedation-free MRIs at NYP-MSCH is a very exciting development for future diagnostic and treatment options.
A Child’s Success Story
The story of one patient begins with the request by the patient’s mother that the child complete the scan without anesthesia. The patient’s mother had specifically researched and chosen New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital because of the exceptional care they provide for the pediatric patients. The medical team worked to put the patient and her family at ease for the session. The patient was prepared using an MRI Kitten scanner and engaged in using MRI video goggles, both funded by Hugs For Brady. The patient was able to successfully complete the scan then head off to attend her preschool graduation ceremony. This remarkable success story would not have been possible without the teamwork of the dedicated staff at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and the donations from the Hugs for Brady Foundation.
Creating Spaces That Bring Smiles
There are few things more boring than being stuck in a hospital room, and for a child, their stay can be even scarier and overwhelming without the comforts of home. So Hugs for Brady came up with a solution—bigger, better, brighter hospital play rooms!
In order to help minimize the trauma that can accompany a hospital stay, Hugs for Brady donated televisions, video game systems, art and craft supplies, puzzles, games and party supplies to pediatric oncology floors.
More specifically, in:
- October 2014, a donation from Hugs for Brady was used to help to renovate The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital Pediatric Oncology Playroom & Sunshine Room
- 2015, an ēno Board was donated to the “Love and Hugs” playroom at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital
- 2017, 10 Playstation game systems were donated thanks to the Hugs for Brady Winter Gala donations
It’s fun to bring children a bit of joy in an otherwise difficult time, and Hugs for Brady is happy to help.
Brightening the Day for Kids in the Hospital
Naomi, a patient at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital experienced firsthand the remodel of the Pediatric Oncology Playroom & Sunshine Room at Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital. “When we come there is enough space for everybody to be in here. Like there could be someone else painting and we can be playing a game on the table. It gives you more hope and makes you happier to be at the hospital even though you don’t want to be here.”
Brady Buggy® Wagons Make Their Way Across the Country
To date, more than 500 Brady Buggy® wagons have been distributed throughout the United States and globally allowing for safe and easy transportation to chemotherapy and other treatments throughout the hospital.
These fun and innovative wagons have a special hitch that allows an IV pole to be attached, and children can sit in the Brady Buggy® and bring their favorite stuffed animal or a snack along for the ride.
Hugs for Brady has received so many stories about the happiness and convenience the Brady Buggy wagons bring, and we look forward to continuing to brighten the hospital stays of children for years to come.
Wagon Volunteer of the Year
Roy G. Svenson has proved to be a Hugs for Brady Hero time and again in the past six years. Roy has generously donated 18 Brady Buggy® wagons in the Illinois area and has demonstrated extraordinary commitment and compassion in his support of the Brady Buggy wagon campaign. We are so thankful to Roy for his kind and giving spirit and consider ourselves blessed to call him a friend.
Sometimes the Best Way to Help is Simply to Provide Support
Support comes in many forms, and often when families are faced with normal, daily living expenses while trying to care for a child with cancer, that is the time Hugs for Brady is needed the most. Hugs for Brady has provided financial support to hundreds of families who cannot afford overwhelming medical bills along with rent or mortgage payments, food, electric, and other daily essentials. Direct financial donations have gone to families to help with funeral expenses, pediatric cancer-related medical expenses, and more. And we will continue to provide help to many more families in our next 10 years.
Hugs for Brady is grateful that we can help so many children and families like those pictured here. To read more visit our blog.
Here are just a few of the families Hugs for Brady has helped . . .
Kalman, a 3-year-old whose parents needed help paying their water bill; we helped and sent the kids gifts and money for groceries.
Jasleen, an 8-year-old whose family was struggling so we paid their rent.
Mariam, an 11-year-old; we paid to have her parents’ vehicle maintained, which was necessary for Miriam to get treatment and the rest of the family’s well-being.
Caron, a 14-year-old who passed away, leaving a single mom with three kids; we contributed to the funeral expenses.
10 Years of Life-Saving Blood Drives
Hugs for Brady has made it a priority to sponsor dozens of blood drives to help pediatric cancer patients. And donating blood can help others as well.
- 90% of people need a blood donation at some point in their lives–your child could be one of them.
- Some children with certain medical conditions need one to ten units of blood per month.
- Depending on the size of the patient, one unit of blood can be used for as many as four or five children.
- Babies undergoing heart surgery need blood that is no more than five days old.
- Countless numbers of children involved in accidents need blood transfusions almost immediately.
- There is always a need for blood, especially type O. Donating is simple, generally requires little time, and can be done every two months.
These blood drives bring the hope of survival to hundreds of hospitalized children each year. Blood drives, along with food and clothing drives, are just some of the ways Hugs for Brady is helping families and kids with cancer make each and every day a little bit better.
66 Blood Transfusions
Sherrie and Michael Wells started the Hugs for Brady Foundation in 2009, shortly after their 13-month-old son, Brady Michael, was diagnosed with Non-Differentiated Acute Leukemia, a very rare form of leukemia. Over the next ten months, Brady’s tiny body went through 66 blood and platelet transfusions, multiple surgeries, and six rounds of intensive chemotherapy.
Hugs for Brady has accomplished so much in 10 years thanks to your donations.
- We distributed more than 500 Brady Buggy Wagons throughout the United States and globally allowing for safe and easy transportation of children to chemotherapy and other treatments.
- We made hospital stays less traumatic for pediatric patients by hosting parties, purchasing televisions, distributing video games, and donating craft supplies and other forms of entertainment.
- We helped hundreds of family members faced with high medical bills by providing direct cash support to help pay rent, mortgage, food, and other essential bills.
- We helped create the Hugs for Brady Clinical Lab at Rutgers Cancer Institute in order to devote resources and cutting-edge research to the fight against pediatric cancer.
- We held blood drives, food drives, and clothing drives to help families and kids with cancer make each and every day a little bit better.
- And we hope to do even more in the next 10 years!