Blog - Why Me

Dec 21 2017

2017 Year End

All throughout 2017 we helped to create new fun memories for our Why Me children and families, whenever possible. We hosted a few days of school vacation activities in February and again in April. We celebrated holidays with fun events at Easter, Halloween and Christmas. We held movie nights, games nights and attended a few sporting events in Boston and Worcester. We watched parents bravely share their journey with attendees at our fundraising events. Overall, we did what we have for the last 30+ years – stand by our families and help provide moments of joy that they will remember long after their cancer treatment.

Thank you to our families for allowing Why Me into your lives. A special thank you to our donors and volunteers – we couldn’t create so many smiles without your help.

We look forward to making new memories in 2018.

Dec 01 2017

Holiday Giving

The holidays are a time of festive cheer for most, but for a family who have a child with cancer it can mean added stress and anxiety wondering how they will make ends meet. Why Me tries to alleviate that worry by helping families in a variety of ways. Listed below are a few ways you can support us as we lessen the burden on our families:

1. Hold a Gift Card Drive – The increased needs of a child being treated for cancer often result in mounting financial stress. Gift cards help lessen the financial burden on families while away from home and commuting to the hospital at a time when income is reduced and expenses are escalating. Gift cards for gas, grocery stores, pharmacies, fast food, restaurants, and VISA/AMEX are especially helpful during such a difficult time.

2. Hold a Food Drive – The food pantry at Sherry’s House is always open to Why Me families. We are always looking for groups and individuals to host food drives for us throughout the year so that we can continue to offer this amenity to our families. Visit our wish list for an update list of needed items.

3. Hold a Toy Drive – Travel sized games, legos, and craft kits make great little items for us to bring along on visits to the hospital and make clinic appointments go faster. We also provide gifts throughout the year for birthdays, treatment milestones and more. Due to the compromised immune system of the kids, we can only accept new toys.

4. Make a Holiday Tribute – Give the gift of a donation to Why Me this Holiday Season. We will send a card to your loved one, friend, or colleague that the donation is made in honor of. To make a Holiday Tribute click here. Please include in the comments section “Holiday Tribute” with the name and address of the person you would like the card to go to. Please call Robyn at 508-757-7734 to make a donation over the phone. You may also mail your check, made payable to Why Me, to 1152 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602 – Attention Robyn

5. Amazon Smile – Why Me receives a small portion of every purchase made when you use Amazon Smile and designate Why Me as your charity of choice.

All donations can be dropped off during office hours of Monday – Thursday 9-5pm, Fridays 9-3pm. Give us a call at 508-757-7734 if you have any questions or to request an after-hours drop off.

Oct 25 2017

Finding Family

We only had 3 Halloween’s with Kai. The first he was a newborn, just about 2 months old. He wore an orange and black striped onesie and a tiny pumpkin hat that barely fit. It was a fairly quiet night, our first holiday as a new family. The second he wore a homemade turtle costume and we attended our first Why Me Halloween party in 2011.

Kai had just turned one and was diagnosed with a brain tumor; the realities of pediatric cancer were still so fresh and ever changing in our life. Four months into treatment we had had one brain surgery, weekly chemotherapy sessions, weeks of hospital stays, and countless therapies. I tried to maintain our life before cancer as best as I could but I knew nothing would ever be the same. I was forcing myself to continue our typical mom and baby groups but Kai was quickly falling behind. After leaving my job to take care of him our world became even smaller.

As we pulled into the parking lot to the Why Me’s annual Halloween Party I remember scanning the crowds of families pouring out of mini vans, trying to determine which kid in the family was in treatment. I searched for another kid like Kai – still a baby. With elaborate costumes, face paint and wigs it was hard to tell who had cancer and who didn’t. As I watched nervously from the car, waiting for Kai to wake, one thing became obvious, everyone was smiling and could not wait to get to the party.

We entered the room that first year as “the new people”. It was intimidating to show up not knowing anyone but attending that Halloween party changed everything for me. For the first time I felt less alone. I talked to other families who had been at this much longer than us. I saw kids laughing and running and playing, despite cancer. Watching a room full of cancer families having fun gave me hope. I imagined that next year Kai too would laugh and run and play despite cancer. Until that point I had been living day to day most of Kai’s life, first trying to figure out what was wrong and then, after diagnosis, just trying to survive. That day at the Halloween party I felt for the first time that there was more to this cancer life than doctors appointments and therapies. At Why Me we found a community, a family.

The following year we attended the Halloween party without hesitation, this time as Harry Potter. So much had changed by then. Kai was not laughing or running. He had “failed’ off of three chemotherapy protocols that year and was now on hospice. The noise and excitement was too much for Kai that day and we didn’t stay long, yet I still remember feeling thankful for our short visit. There we felt supported and surrounded by people who understood.

Looking back it is hard to believe there was ever a time before Why Me. I cherish the memories we have from the Halloween parties and family dinners and groups we ended up attending. The friendships we made within those walls are like no other and I truly do not know where I would be without them.

This time of year, with the air turning crisp and the nights growing longer, always brings mix of emotion for me. Some of my fondest memories with Kai are in the early fall but so too are some of my hardest days. Next month it will be five years since Kai’s death. Five years since our last Halloween. I still find myself pulled to Why Me in these times of transition. There is still some comfort in knowing that each October, as the days begin to darken, I can always count on a parking lot full of smiling families eager to get to the party, making new memories and enjoying another Halloween.

-Written by Kerri Padgett, Kai’s Mom

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Sep 25 2017

Why Me Summer Camp 2017

Children affected by cancer, and their siblings, often spend much of their time outside of treatment in medical appointments and therapies that can make fitting in other activities difficult. With medication, physical limitations and long term effects of cancer treatments attending a typical summer camp is not always possible. Seven years ago Why Me recognized the need to provide a typical day camp experience for families, within the safety and security of the house, providing an important social and recreational outlet for the children and a small respite for the parents. Why Me mom Gabriela Molinari shares, “Attending camp means the world to us. We forget about fighting cancer and we can enjoy time with other families and see our kids having fun.” Molinari’s youngest son Thiago was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2014 at age 3. Since his diagnosis, the Molinari family have utilized many services at Why Me and work to give back in any way they can.

The needs and feedback of families like the Molinari’s are what guide growing programs such as camp. The Why Me Summer Camp program has now grown to serve 30 families over 4 weeks of programing each summer. Each day of camp features unique activities, crafts and lunch that get the children laughing learning and playing. Cooperative icebreaker activities such as the Hawaiian Play Dough Competition, Marshmallow Tower Competition, and Safari hunt help the children connect to their strengths and similarities outside of their diagnosis. While holiday themed activities such as the trick or treat costume parade, Easter egg coloring, and gingerbread house making contest help create new memories of activities some of the children may have missed out on over the year.

“Many kids going through treatment cannot play at the beach due to germs, get their lines wet in the pool, or do day trips due to exhaustion. Summer camp is held from 10am-1pm, so the kids can sleep in a little, do their morning routine, have fun at camp, and still have time for appointments or leisure in the afternoon.” explains Alyssa Bellino, camp instructor.

“I really do love every day of camp, but animal week is always my favorite because the kids get SO excited. The animals are like little celebrities to them. I also love seeing the kids support and relate to one another. Here they do not feel self-conscious or embarrassed. I’ve overheard many kids say “wait you had cancer too?” It’s nice to see them open up to the volunteers or each other about their journey.”

Starting as a high school volunteer at Why Me Bellino has been running camp since 2015. In addition to the daily running of camp Bellino works with volunteers and local businesses to provide an engaging and worthwhile experience for the families. Why Me camp counts on over 25 dedicated volunteers throughout the summer, including those donating lunches and materials for projects. This year the Molinari family cooked lunches and made fried dough for the campers. “I love to cook and Sherry’s House has helped our family in so many ways. Making lunch is the least I can do. We just want to be able to give back when we can.”

Many organizations and companies attend camp year after year providing special events such as The Museum of Science Reptile Show, Animal Craze Animals, Magic World Amusements & Entertainment and many more. “For many, it is not easy to face pediatric cancer, but we have been so fortunate to have the continued support of these organizations. Most of them offer a discount or even donate their time and services completely. Camp would not be possible without generous volunteers, who come day in and day out in order to allow the kids to have fun. It’s really nice to see how many compassionate and generous people there are in our community.”

A special thank you to all of our campers, special guests, and volunteers – including Team Thiago and Hillcrest Church for providing lunches. More photos can be found here.

If you would like to volunteer time, services or a donation to support this programing please visit https://whyme.org/get-involved/

May 25 2017

Moms’ Night Out

Monday evening 21 moms gathered at the British Beer Company on Shrewsbury Street to enjoy a mom’s night out funded by the Why Parent Support Fund. The night began with lots of hugs that quickly turned to lots of laughs and even a few tears. Many of these mom first met years earlier as their children began treatment for their cancer. Some were meeting for the first time and others were reuniting after loss. While Why Me hosts both a monthly parent support group and a monthly bereavement group, all of these moms are rarely in the same room. As Why Me programing has increased over the years and social media allows parents to keep in touch outside the house, families are much more aware of each other’s ups and downs. From this, there has been increasing interest in social events that bring everyone together. “Events like this, with a mixed group of moms, allows us to take the label off what various journeys we have walked with our “sick kids”. We can just be a mom with her friends.” Explains Stephanie Fontaine, mom of Kailliah – both mother & daughter are cancer survivors.

The moms gathered with Erin Giza of Life Expressions Decor, to create a custom decorative wall sign with sayings like “When there is rain look for rainbows. When it is dark look for stars.” The sentiment of these words, for this group, was not lost on Giza. “I received a new shipment of that quote this morning. I had a feeling it would resonate with this group.” Giza shares as she circulated the room teaching techniques and listening as the moms shared stories.

Giza has been volunteering at Why Me events for years and began hosting Life Expressions Decor events in 2016. “I love the idea of getting friends, family, and strangers together for a good time relaxing and crafting! I really enjoy seeing everyone talk about the phrases they choose as a lot of sweet, and even sometimes sad, stories come out of it.”

As a Why Me volunteer Giza has cooked meals, helped with childcare and donated goods. She, like most people, connected with the mission of Why Me after her own personal experiences with friends and family going through cancer treatment. “When Robyn reached out about helping with the event, it was an immediate yes! I heard about Why Me when I was a child. My best friend’s father had been a long time supporter and frequently ran marathons to raise money. From the minute I heard about Why Me I knew I wanted to support it too! Throughout my years I have seen family members lose or beat their battles with cancer, and the thought of a child going through everything that comes with a cancer diagnosis breaks my heart even more, especially now that I am a mom.” Giza

All parents need nights out like this, but it is especially difficult for parents of sick kids to get out and do something for themselves. It can be a real hardship for parents to spend money and time away from their sick kids. At Why Me events, parents know they will be taken care of and surrounded by other parents who get it. When the phone rings and a mom jumps, all of the moms know the panic she is feeling.

“I would love to see more social outings like this. It’s important physically and mentally for moms/dads to take time out for themselves while dealing with a sick child. It also allows for much needed socialization between moms without disruption”shares Fontaine. The bonds of friendship that are formed between parents during what can be such an isolating time are a lifeline to these parents. Having the opportunity to connect with other parents who just understand is invaluable.

To participate in our next family fun event or to inquire about donating in support of events likes these please visit: https://whyme.org/get-involved/

A father’s day outing is planned in the month of June please email dperron@whyme.org for more information.