Children With Cancer Get New Backpacks Thanks To Hicksville-Jericho Rotary Club

HICKSVILLE, NY — The Hicksville-Jericho Rotary Club, in partnership with Sarah Grace Foundation for Children with Cancer, delivered 48 new back packs and school supplies to Stony Brook Cancer Center and Cohen Children’s Medical Center, according to the club.

"Families with children with cancer often struggle financially to provide everyday items like school supplies while dealing with the high cost of medical care for their children," said Donna Rivera Downey, president of the Hicksville-Jericho Rotary Club. "This project allows these children to have all new schools supplies without the additional financial burden to their families."

Children diagnosed with cancer, in most cases, do not share in the excitement of a new school year, new clothes, new books or new friends, said Matthew J. Weippert, chairman of the board of Sarah Grace Foundation. Some are hospitalized while many are home schooled, he said.

"New School Supplies help them feel like their friends or siblings at the start of the new school year," Weippert said. "The Sarah Grace Foundation was humbled to partner with the Hicksville-Jericho Rotary Club on this project, helping to build community and a better quality of life for the children with cancer we serve."

The partnership used Sarah Grace Foundation's resources to reach the hospitals, and the Rotary club's volunteers to purchase, organize and deliver the school supplies, said Rivera-Downey.

The project was supported by a grant from the Rotary Foundation and Rotary District 7255.

Hicksville-Jericho Rotary is the first Rotary club in Hicksville, founded in 1951. Rotary aims to bring together a global network of community leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.4 million members from more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world. Their service improves lives both locally
and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.

The Hicksville-Jericho Rotary Club meets on Thursdays at Trullo D’Oro in Hicksville. Visit Rotary.org for more information on how to join Rotary or contact Rivera-Downey at 516-532-4566.

Sarah Grace Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to improving the quality
of life of children with cancer and providing comfort and support to the families of children suffering from cancer.