October is Cancer Awareness month and the Women In New Goal Settings (WINGS) organization has partnered with Meredith Health Professions Society (MHPS) to spread awareness and support towards pediatric cancer patients undergoing treatments. Between Oct. 11 and Oct.18, WINGS, and MHPS will be placing tables and collection boxes spread across campus to collect toys for Duke Children’s Hospital.
SarahElla Trustman, ‘25, WINGS President, spoke to The Herald about what sparked this project, sharing that another WINGS student is a childhood cancer survivor, and therefore, is “very passionate about community work involving this population.” Trustman went on to share that the inspiring story has been “one of the driving forces behind making it happen.” Trustman also spoke of her own experiences at Duke Children’s Hospital with her daughter, sharing that her daughter had a rare tumor disorder which resulted in her spending much of her early life at Duke Children’s Hospital Trustman noted that she “know[s] first hand just how impactful these toys can be”and that her daughter. “ still has some of the plushies to this day! These toys made life bearable and even joyful, during an otherwise very dark period.” Trustman’s daughter plans to visit Meredith College on the final day of the drive and help collect the toys for distribution.
With the support of MHPS and various buildings across campus, WINGS has been able to take on this project. The “toy drive was a huge undertaking, and having another organization to help lift some of that weight is so greatly appreciated,” Trustman says.
Starlight, a children’s foundation, shed some light on the reality of children battling cancer, noting that “Children battling cancer often spend countless hours, weeks, and sometimes months in hospitals receiving treatment—this means spending critical years of their youth separated from family, friends, and good old-fashioned fun,” according to their website. Starlight explains that every year an estimated 300,000+ new cases of cancer impact children worldwide. Approximately 80% of childhood cancer patients are diagnosed in a late stage of the disease. Trustman shared that,“While a toy may seem so simple, these toys are so powerful. Children who would otherwise be terrified of going to the hospital, have something to look forward to.”
To support the cause, the Meredith community can bring new toys and leave them in the Toy Drive boxes around campus, including the atrium at SMB, and the Cate Center. Trustman also noted the devastation of the hurricane and that “children don't stop going to the hospital when a natural disaster hits. In fact, it is times like these when places like Duke Hospital that rely on regular donations struggle, because focus (rightfully) turns toward the immediate needs of the disaster.”
By Miriya Carson, Staff Writer
Photo courtesy of Miriya Carson, Staff Writer
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