Project Hearts & Tails is a wonderful and heart-warming new program, designed to bring comfort and hope to children newly diagnosed with cancer. The program, free to children entering treatment around the country, is being rolled out in leading cancer centers.
Children receive the book "We’ll Get Through This Together!" in which a black lab shares his perspective of joining a boy going through every step of his cancer treatment. The beautifully illustrated book captures how dogs’ unconditional love, comfort and friendship help children get through scary, sometimes lonely and difficult times along the treatment journey. In the most of gentle ways, the book deals with the hospital setting, tests and treatments, physical changes kids may endure, and also acknowledges isolation - how difficult it can be to be separated from familiar routines, surroundings, one's family, home and support systems. It is used by Child Life teams to support these young patients - something of which we are very proud indeed!
Each child also receives a soft, stuffed black lab pup, appropriately named BRAVE, wearing a yellow bandana (just as in the book). Wherever they go on their treatment journey, BRAVE promises to be a loyal companion and is always there to cuddle! Wherever possible, hospital therapy dogs, also wearing our signature Crush Cancer bandanas, deliver the care packages to kids!
Finally the program raises awareness of the similarities in cancers kids and man's best friend both develop.
By giving to Project Hearts & Tails during the holidays, you are bringing smiles and hope to kids. And you are helping further our work to help children and our canine best friends beat the devastating cancers they BOTH develop.
My Gift to Brave Kids Battling Cancer During the Holidays: