May 25, 2007

A wish list becomes reality

When 13-year-old Rachel Barnes was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in January 2007, she and her family received an outpouring of support from their community of North Andover, Mass. While the entire Barnes family was grateful for the encouragement and assistance from friends and neighbors, they knew they weren't the only family coping with a child's serious illness. They wanted the many other young patients at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC) to share in the same kindnesses they had received. Therefore, the family coordinated a series of toy drives to collect items included on the MGHfC's wish list, such as puzzles and games, to help entertain young patients receiving treatment at the hospital.

The soccer team of Rachel's 10-year-old sister, Rebecca, held the first drive, which was spearheaded by Gail Stabile, the parent of a team member. A second drive was organized with the help of Tara Ingalls, a colleague of Rachel's father, Joe. Ingalls collaborated with Donna Hajjar — whose 15-year-old son, Adam Bardwell, also has been treated for cancer at the MGHfC — to host a drive at Learning Path Child Care center, in Derry, NH, which Hajjar owns. Staff at the center created paper hearts, each of which listed a specific item from the MGHfC's wish list. The hearts were displayed in the center, and parents and children were invited to select a heart and donate the item. Rebecca also brainstormed the final drive, which she organized at her elementary school, the Annie L. Sargent School in North Andover. She received help from her fellow students and teacher Regina McCann. All of their collaboration and hard work paid off — the Barnes family recently arrived at the MGHfC with a carload of boxes packed to the brim with games, stuffed animals, movies, coloring books, crayons and other toys for pediatric patients.

From left, Rachel, Joe, Rebecca and Nancy Barnes, Rachel and Rebecca's mother.