NEW LCC INITIATIVE SUPPORTS FAMILIES FACING THE CHALLENGES OF CHILDHOOD CANCER

9/30/2024

Hearts of Mercy & Compassion Joined Hands with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

In September LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion joined hands with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month to provide support directly to children battling cancer and their families who care for them.

We offered special gold-colored Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to match the color of the childhood cancer awareness movement, along with heart-shaped boxes filled with uplifting child-friendly toys and resources, aimed at brightening the days of these young warriors undergoing treatment.

The chaplains at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have been busy in September, distributing the goodies-filled heart-shaped boxes to many young patients. The director of the chaplains expressed deep gratitude for your prayers—they mean so much to the patients, their families, and the entire St. Jude care team.

The boxes have been a delightful highlight for the children. One 7-year-old boy was overjoyed to find a flashlight inside, and many of the kids have been pretending to be doctors, playfully instructing others to “follow the light with their eyes only.” The sour suckers have also been a big hit! The chaplain shared that the children truly value the messages of hope and the prayers they receive, as they reflect the caring community surrounding them.

Thank you for your generous support of this new initiative that brought joy to many families. It is through your kindness that we can continue to spread love and care through the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion in new and meaningful ways each year!

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and it's a reminder of the challenges faced by children battling cancer and their families who care for them.

As the month unfolds, LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion is joining hands with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to provide support directly to these families.

LCC is offering special gold-colored Hearts of Mercy & Compassion to match the color of the childhood cancer awareness movement, along with heart-shaped boxes filled with uplifting child-friendly toys and resources, aimed at brightening the days of these young warriors undergoing treatment.

Each box also includes a QR code that takes them to a webpage to schedule a virtual visit from an LCC K-9 Comfort Dog, download coloring and puzzle pages, and watch a Gospel message from LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer.

“We hope that these gifts will bring joy to these children and their families and offer tangible comfort to them,” said Sarah Sekki, director of LCC Hearts of Mercy & Compassion ministry, who organized the project. “But we also want the hearts and heart boxes to emphasize a sense of connection and hope during these trying times.”

The hearts will be filled with messages from the medical team and nurses at St. Jude and gifted by the hospital chaplains who were eager to begin the project.

Childhood cancer affects 1 in 285 children. The journey through treatment can be incredibly difficult, both physically and emotionally. Major illness is often ranked among the most stressful life events, underscoring the magnitude of this battle.

St. Jude has been working tirelessly in this fight, dramatically increasing the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent over the past 60 years. This remarkable progress is a testament to the groundbreaking treatments and unwavering dedication of the St. Jude team.

Your generous support of LCC this month can truly transform lives; together, we can alleviate some of the burdens these brave children and their families carry, all while bringing awareness to the vital work of St. Jude. Join us in making a difference today!

Also, please join us in prayer for these children and their families that the hope of Jesus may overflow through this project. May the Lord’s comfort be experienced by every hurting heart.

LEARN MORE & DONATE - LCC HEARTS OF MERCY & COMPASSION