Hearts to Hope Promo Booklet by Michaela Fournier

EDUCATION

PEACE

BEAUTIFUL

UN CO ND ITI ON AL

RELATIONSHIP

ENERGY

T R U S T

FAMILY

LIVE

HEALTH LAUGH SM SELF ILE ESTEEM

RELIEF POSITIVE RELAX

GUIDANCE SUPPORT

HEART PATIENCE

LEARN

STRENGTH FEELING GOOD

AFFECTIONHAPPINESS LOVECOMMUNITYPLAY

HERO

WELL-BEING AWARENESS

INSPIRATION

UNIQUE

LIFE

PE DETERMINATION UNDERSTANDING

TEAMWORK

Some positivity, the hearts of your loved ones, and hope is all that matters. Let Hearts to Hope take the journey with you!

Wherever you go, no matter what the wea her, always bring your own sunshine.

~Anthony J. Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Angelo, The College Blue Book

INTRO Hearts to Hope is an organization that embraces the family unit during times of great hardship. Mothers and fathers who are in cancer treatment, or have just finished treatments can come to one of our locations with their children (all ages welcome). We give families the opportunity of participating in fun and positive activities together as well as giving their children the sense of security and belonging, while being surrounded by other children experiencing a similar situation. Our trained professionals educate children about the importance of eating healthy and exercising as well as increasing their understanding of cancer. Hearts to Hope understands the seriousness of cancer so we strive to help children and their families retain positive thoughts throughout the process.

Hearts to Hope strongly believes in the family unit and working together during the hardship of cancer. Believing in the power of teamwork, education and positivity, our clients will not endure any hardship alone. Our program helps to raise cancer awareness, classes on how to keep healthy eating and exercising habits, increase the understanding of what is happening to a loved one for children, and creating a positive environment for patients and their families.

MISSION Statement

Each day Hearts to Hope arranges different activites for the whole family to enjoy. We offer actitivies that families can participate in a Hearts to Hope center as well as in the comfort of your own home! Visit www.heartstohope.org for upcoming events. Activites may include: Making Get Well Cards Making healthy snacks as a family with children ages 1-6 Arts and crafts for children of all ages Cooking lessons for parents and children ages 16-up. Yoga classes for moms and daughters of all ages Karate classes for the whole family of all ages Sports team night for the whole family of all ages Keeping healthy classes (including diet and exercises) for the whole family Treasure hunts for children of all ages Movie Nights Date night for mom and dad Kids days for all ages Make your own elephant for families with children ages 1-10 Beach day as a family of all ages Bowling Nights Mini golf for dads and sons of all ages and much more!

ACTIVITIES for the whole family

A C H I L D J M S

H L X Y P W H O I

X O P Q E U T M E

A V H E A R T U N

H E C O U R A G E

O Y L I D A D Q R

P B I H E A L J G

E E F G W S E O Y

Y O E R G X H Y T

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re

braver stronger smarter

than you believe,

than you seem,

and

than you think.

~A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

4 4 4 4 4 4

44444 4And 4444 44444 so the story 44444 4 begins... 4444 44444

e begin our story with a family of happy and loving elephants who did everything together. There was a mom elephant named Mari, a dad named Michael, and their children Junior and Emma. Emma was the oldest child; Junior just a few years younger than Emma. They would go for walks to the watering

hole together and play hide-and-seek as a family. The four elephants made a great team. One day, Mari wasn’t feeling well and did not want to go for a walk to the watering hole. Junior

and Emma were very disappointed; not understanding why their mom did not want to go for a walk since that had always been her favorite. The children decided to go off and play on their own while Mari and Michael stayed behind. The next day, the children wanted to play hide and seek but Mari still wasn’t feeling well. Junior and Emma knew something was not right when Michael asked them to sit and talk. He explained to the children, “Mom won’t be able to go for walks or play for a while. She does not feel well so we need to work as a team to help her get better.” The children nodded and sat with their mom for a while; hugging her and just being with her. As a couple of weeks went by, Junior and Emma thought that their mom would be better so when they found their mom still sick, they were very concerned. Even though Mari was sick, they still did activities as a family, just not their usual walk and game of hide and seek. Instead, they played board games and watched movies together. Junior and Emma tried to help with chores so their mom could rest but began to worry more since Mari still was not getting better. Emma decided to finish her chores and get Junior ready for bed before going to talk to her mom. She needed to figure out what was going on knowing that it must be something more serious than the flu. Emma was afraid of what her mom might tell her since the worst kept running through her head.

efore going to bed, Emma laid next to her mom and asked, “Mom, what’s wrong? Why are you sick?” Mari took a deep breath and replied, “Sweetie, Dr. Trunk told dad and I that I have cancer. He told us that I am very sick but will get better with the powerful medicine he gave us. Dr. Trunk explained that we were able to

catch it soon enough that I will be just fine but it’s just going to take time. The medicine makes me very weak and tired and gives me an upset stomach.” Emma began to tear up. Mari nuzzled her and said, “I know it sounds scary honey, but not need to cry. I am ok and we are going to get through it together! We will just keep taking it one day at a time.” Emma gave her mom a big hug and slept next

to her for the rest of the night. The following morning’s sunrise was the one of the brightest and prettiest it had been in a while, giving the whole family a positive and refreshing start to the day. The sunrise gave Mari a nice boost of energy so she got the children up and took them for a short walk around the watering hole. The children were so excited to finally go for a walk again. As the days continued, Mari’s health improved and was slowly able to do more and more. Michael and Mari met with Dr. Trunk for her final checkup leaving with wonderful news. They were so relieved to hear that Mari was cancer free!! As soon as they got back home they gathered the children and Mari, with a big smile, said, “I am so happy to tell you that I am not sick anymore. The cancer is gone! i love you both so very much. Thank you for all your love and help while I was sick.” The children were instantly excited and relieved to know their mom was healthy again. They ran over and gave their mom the biggest hug they could and simultaneously said, “I love you too, Mom!” The family spent the rest of the afternoon together, doing all of their favorite activities. The days that followed were spent supporting one another and loving each other unconditionally. There is no stronger bond than the love that a family shares.

The family is one of natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s masterpieces. George Santayana

HELPFUL TIPS Supporting Someone with Cancer

Be there for your loved one Being available and present in the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life is the most important form of support possible. Support is an absolutely vital role because the sufferer needs you to just be there for them, to listen, to hold their hand, to be the shoulder to cry on, and ultimately to be the non-judgmental care they need to deeply.

Listen to his/her worries

Diagnosis is a hard time to deal with because there are so many uncertainties. Listen to the patientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concerns and let them know that cancer is a disease that strikes without fear or favor, and not to blame oneself. Providing them with positive feedback about their chances and motivating them to think more positively will make the journey a little less difficult. Communication is key when going through something so uncertain.

Be helpful with anything they need

Whether you go to chemotherapy sessions, cook meals, help with the children, pay bills, go to hospital appointments, or simply just give them words of encouragement each day, the patient will appreciate every bit of help you are willing to give. Telling them you love them everyday is the best and most supportive thing you can tell a cancer patient. Even the smallest gesture will be much appreciated!

Help him/her meet others with cancer A sense of understanding and belonging is very important to a cancer patient. This is where Hearts to Hope comes in! Bringing family members in treatment to our facilities will create a deeper understanding to the patient as well as letting them know they are NOT alone.

Know when to give space

Sometimes being alone is all your loved one needs, and that is okay. Let them know you are a phone call away or just in the other room while they rest. This is sometimes the best thing for them...knowing that you are always right there when they need you and want to have someone to talk to.

Expect the journey to have highs and lows Cancer brings emotional highs and lows, with a great deal of uncertainty. Hearts to Hope understands that one person cannot carry the emotional burden all alone which is why we are there for everyone surrounding the cancer patient. We can lift some of the burden of always staying strong in front of your loved ones while crumbling inside. No one person can handle this journey alone. TEAMWORK can make the journey a little easier. We focus on the positives and help lighten the cancer burden to bring more emotional highs than lows.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s be positive together.

Increased Life Span Lower Rates of Depression Lower Levels of Distress Greater Resistance to the Common Cold Better Psychological & Physical Well-Being Reduced Risk of Death from Cardiovascular Disease

POSITIVITY Brings Overall Health Benefits

Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.

Brad Henry

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Mattie Stepanek

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