Jayden was one of our first reciepents to get a pillowcase at CHILDREN"S HOSPITAL of Los Angeles.
She loves her pillowcase and just look at the smile it brings to her face! AWESOME!
Letter from Coordinator:
Welcome to the Los Angeles Chapter of Conkerr Cancer Foundation. I took over as the coordinator for this region after losing my Aunt Martha to Liver Cancer in Jan 2011. She was diagnoisedwith stage 4 liver cancer in Dec 2010 and we lost her on Jan 20, 2011. At the same time Jan 18, 2011, my best friend also underwent surgery for cervical cancer. The following 8 months she dealt with blood clotting and went through intensive chemotherapy to make sure it was gone. Cancer has affected my family in a large way: including breast cancer (Aunt and cousin), uterine cancer (grandmother), prostate cancer (uncle), Mayzina (best friend over 25 years) cervical cancer and most recently with Aunt Martha it was liver cancer. Cancer is a terrible disease no matter what type of cancer and who it is affecting but even more so for children. Everyone is touched by cancer whether it is a family member, friend or coworker. But to have a child going through cancer treatments is unthinkable. I was extremely lucky that my only son, Jason, has always been very healthy! To watch these children, dealing with pain, treatments which cause more pain, and who just want to be regular kids but can't, it is heartbreaking. Then you have the parents, family and all those whose lives they touch (teachers, fellow students, church members, nurses, doctors, etc.) who are affected by this tiny person fighting so hard to survive. I have come into contact with all of these and it is so hard to keep going when this is happening to one of your own. That is why this organization is so important to me. It was started by a mother whose child was fighting cancer who wanted to make her child happy -- even if it was for a moment and then give him something to hold onto, take home and keep with him that shows him how much she loves him. Cindy Kerr, was that mother. She brought in pillowcases for her son while he was hospitalized (Ryan Kerr) to make him happy and to give him something she made out of her love for him. What started as just this simple act, has grown into an international organization that has chapters in United States, United Kingdom, So Africa and Canada! Her love for her son has blossomed CONKERR CANCER ! Our Mission is : GIVING A SICK KID A REASON TO SMILE, ONE CASE AT A TIME!
So, I was looking for an organization to work with which allows me to do something for children with cancer and used my sewing skill. When I opened this website (conkerrcancer.org) I knew I found my place. My intent was to just join an organization but when I saw that they did not have a coordinator for the LOS ANGELES area I was compelled to join and and take over the position. I am currently unemployed and looking for full time work but have be able to get this up and running smoothly thanks to wonderful family and friends that have helped me this past year! I have lots of organization skills, marketing and advertising skills, and I have always loved to sew -- thanks to my mom (Beverlee Michalak)-- and wanted to use this to make life better for others. So I have been successful in getting this up and running in 2011 where we made and deliveried 2240 pillowcases to 5 local hospitals !
This organization is strictly a volunteer group and what we do is bring a little color and brightness in the lives of children who are in the hospitals in our local area undergoing cancer treatments. To do this we make bright and colorful pillowcases which we drop off at the hospitals where the children are able to pick out the one that they like. It is a wonderful distraction for these children and something happy that they can take home from their hospital stay. I love to sew and these are fun, easy and inexpensive to make. So if you do not live in the Los Angeles area you can donate in the chapter in your area. If you have time to help out the organization -- they can always use more help. You can go to www.conkerrcancer.org and look up regional directory for more information on a chapter in your area.
We hope to expand to more hospitals and with your help we can. There are many ways to help. If you would like to come to one of our events, we would love to meet you and I am sure we can find something for you to do - even if you don't sew. Or if you are more comfortable sewing in your own home, you can put these pillowcases together and then either drop them off, contact me to schedule a pick up or mail them to my home address. We are on Facebook at CONKERR CANCER LOS ANGELES and Twitter at @ConkerrCancerLA and we would appreciate it if you would click on LIKE. This is where you will find lots of pictures of everyone of our events. This website has an area for photos by it is limited so you can see all of our photos for all past events on our Facebook Page. I have started a CONKERR CANCER BLOG as well and you can find it at http://blog.conkerrcancerla.org!
If you are a part of a club, group or organization and looking for a great community service project, this is a great one for you. If you would like I can come and speak or work with you at an event or you can get some of your friends together to sew for the children. However, you can help us is AWESOME! We are always looking for DROP OFF LOCATIONS and volunteers so please feel free to contact me at the number listed below.
If you work at an organization where they allow you to participate in volunteer organizations, we could use your help. We can have a sewing day at your place of employment -- we would bring everything to sew the pillowcase along with trainers to help you use them. We have done this already with KOHLS and BANANA REPUBLIC locations. Donations are always needed whether money or fabric or completed pillowcases. You support is appreciated always. Our only mission is to GIVE A CHILD A REASON TO SMILE - ONE CASE AT A TIME!
Hope to see you soon.
Shirlee Walker
Regional Coordinator
Conkerr Cancer Los Angeles
17350 E Temple Street # 349
La Puente, California 91744
626 715 0617
Facebook: CONKERR CANCER LOS ANGELES
Twitter: @ CONKERRCANCERLA
Blog: http://blog.conkerrcancerla.org