Mission Statement

“Our mission is to allow the Hearts of all to provide Hope to children and families who are in need.”

The word CANCER when spoken, written or diagnosed brings fear and sadness to anyone that has ever had experience with this life changing and sometimes deadly disease.  Almost everyone has had a loved one, relative, friend or co-worker that has had experience with cancer.  This disease does not discriminate and it results in emotional, financial and physical despair that is indescribable.  Did you know that each year 13,400 children between the ages of birth and 19 will be diagnosed with this disease and about 1,310 children are expected to die from cancer in 2014?  Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death (after accidents) in children.

In addition to cancer, did you know that an estimated 300,000 children in the United States under the age of 21 will have congenital cardiovascular disease and 38% of them will have had one or more surgical procedures?  Congenital heart defects are the number one birth defect.  In the United States, an estimated 32,000 infants are expected to be diagnosed with congenital cardiovascular defects with an estimated 25% of these requiring invasive treatments in the first year of life.  Heart disease and heart defects in children are not as commonly known as cancer, but these issues occur more often and with the same emotional, financial and physical despair.

As you can see, children’s cancer and congenital heart defects are more common than you probably expected.  The physical and emotional stress on the children and their families are burdens that outsiders can do little to assist with.  Those issues are supported by their faith, their church families, their communities, their family and friends.   However, anyone and everyone can help make a significant impact on the financial burden these diseases cause.  The medical bills alone are staggering, but insurance companies and most medical providers do work with these families.  A large part of the financial burden comes with lost wages (being away from work), gas, travel, meals and lodging.  Since these illnesses generally result in extended hospital stays, those expenses add up and can be devastating to the families.