We Are Teens Who Care

We are just your average teenagers who love to socialize, struggle to succeed in school, and enjoy extra curricular activities. In the midst of our busy life, we often take our health for granted. However, we come to realize how different life is for kids with cancer. Lacking energy due to chemo and radiation treatments, they are often kept away from crowded places and engage in non strenuous activities. Life is not fair for young, innocent kids who have to suffer and give up so much when they should be outside playing actively with lots of friends.

The fundraiser has given us the opportunity to express our care and love for kids with cancer, especially those who are getting treatments at M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas. It gives us a great pleasure to brighten up the faces of those courageous fighters.

10th Birthday Wish: A Fundraiser

Instead of a birthday party, Jennifer wished to have a fundraiser for M.D. Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas, where her favorite cousin, Derek, was getting treatment. With the help of seven friends, Jennifer hosted a small luncheon for families, friends, and neighbors in her front yard. Donations from stores helped to pay for food, allowing them to raise $620. When Derek later found out about it, his face brightened up and said, "You did it for me?" Sadly, he only knew about one fundraiser before he passed away in 2003.

Losing Derek to cancer made her even more determined than ever to help other young cancer patients -especially those who are getting treatments at M.D. Anderson Hospital.The 2004 Fundraiser demanded more help from Jennifer's dedicated friends, and not surprisingly they came through by working hard during the summer to prepare for another successful fundraiser, raising $3800!

The following year attracted even more friends who sacrificed part of their summer to engage in the third fundraiser effort with Jennifer. Bigger and better ideas came by reaching out to more businesses and craft experts. The 2005 fundraiser was a huge success not just for the total amount raised ($5,000), but for bringing neighbors and the community together. We even had a firemen and fire engine at the block party.

Organizing yet another fundraiser to top the previous one was as challenging as working with adolescent teenagers. In spite of few road blocks, Jennifer and her friends managed to pull outstanding results, raising $8,000 in 2006.