I want to introduce you to an incredible little girl. Her name is Amanda Hope. And in March, 2011, her last name HOPE was what this beautiful 12-year old girl was holding on to as her cancer was in remission.
And this called for a celebration!
But is wasn’t long before her cancer would return…leaving this beautiful child of God with a dying wish that her mother, Lorraine Tallman, would bring to life!
Read her inspiring story and how these tie-dye t-shirts would bring…Dignity For All!
Amanda Hope. Image courtesy of Lorraine Tallman.
Hebrews 12: 1-2 teaches us, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.…”
As the family was now faced with the return of Amanda’s cancer, the following news was equally devastating. Although her sister was a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant, the doctors determined that Amanda’s condition had so far progressed, that she was no longer a candidate for the procedure.
Even before this latest report from her doctors, Amanda had been designing a t-shirt (in her mind) that would help all kids, everywhere, who are going through what she was living with as well. She called her t-shirt design “ComfyCozy” for kids. Allowing children everywhere to enjoy a soft, cozy t-shirt {tie-dye, of course because that was Amanda’s favorite!} with a special design to accomodate the ports that are typically planted in the chest area, was Amanda’s final wish.
An x-ray depicts the usual location of an implanted port. Image by Pixman via Wikimedia Commons.
“Her last words before she passed away, she held my hands and said ‘Mommy, are you listening to me? I’m like, ‘Yeah.’ She goes ,’Look at me, both eyes, two ears. Promise me every child in the world is going to get a ComfyCozy, and they’re going to get it for free.'”
When children are given medications through their ports, they are often asked to go shirtless during the treatment. Amanda knew there was a better way for girls (and boys alike) to receive treatment without feeling embarrassed.
The ComfyCozy shirt is made with zippers or buttons along the tops panels permitting the doctors and nurses to access their ports while the child can maintain his/her dignity .
Dignity For All!
This version comes with zippers, which has made this patient’s treatment a little bit easier on him. Image courtesy Lorraine Tallman.
What a beautiful and thoughtful idea.
Lorraine can be seen on any given day bringing Amanda’s dream to children who need it. Images courtesy of Lorraine Tallman.
Amanda passed away on March 30, 2012. But her memory lives on and her ComfyCozy t-shirts are helping kids everywhere.
Lorraine said, “If Amanda could hear that every kid with cancer was going to get a ComfyCozy for free, she would be doing her trademark happy dance.”
Over 5,000 t-shirt have been given to children with cancer. Donations from corporations, individuals and sports teams have given life to this beautiful project.
And while her work has been focused in Arizona, Lorraine is hoping her efforts will expand into Ohio. In addition to contributions begin made for the ComfyCozy t-shirts, money has also been donated to families to off-set meal and gas expense.
So simple, so smart — and it absolutely changes the quality of life for patients. Image courtesy of Lorraine Tallman.
If you would like to keep up with the ComfyCozy project, visit them on their Facebook page.
And, if students are interested in the pin fundraising program, they can contact Lorraine and ComfyCozy on Twitter for more details.
ComfyCozy Pin
And if you’re interested in donating so that free shirts can to go to childhood cancer warriors (or for gas or grocery cards for their families), here is that link.
For another uplifting story, click here!
HT UpWorthy
