Posted on October 4, 2009 - by pcmccullough

Honoring Heroes

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For the past several years, I have had the distinct honor to work with an organization dedicated to bringing sunshine into the lives of children with cancer.  Each year The Sunshine Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Houston, Texas reaches out pediatric oncology units at hospitals across the country and offers the opportunity for young cancer patients to join other “kids” to enjoy skiing in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; live theater in New York City, discovering the Histories of Washington, DC, including meeting past Presidents like George W. Bush; touring in Hawaii, motorcycling through the Texas hill country, and much more.

A unique differentiator at The Sunshine Kids Foundation is that the events are Kids only – no moms or dads, siblings, etc., just kids. Each group of approximately 4-6 cancer patients is accompanied by a nurse chaperone and flown to the destination where they meet up with about 30 other young teens experiencing the same lives and times for a week of fun, excitement, and perhaps a few moments of fame … Sunshine.  

While the trips are made possible through donations by corporate sponsors and individuals like you and me, the real heroes are the Kids. Their courage is commendable, their hope unwavering, and their gratitude immense. I am proud to stand beside them at fundraisers and make others who are more fortunate aware of their cause. I take every opportunity to join them on trips and take pleasure in watching them smile, if even for a short time.