Neighbor News
35 Pints of Blood Gifted At South Brunswick 'Hugs for Brady' Father's Day Drive
The Hugs for Brady Foundation is an organization dedicated to helping ease the pain of children and their families who have cancer.
Prepared to give the gift of blood at the Hugs for Brady sponsored event, donors of all ages, including fathers, filled the hall at Veterans of Foreign War Post 9111 in Kendall Park on Sunday morning.
The Hugs for Brady Foundation is an organization dedicated to helping ease the pain of children and their families who have cancer. The organization was started by Kendall Park residents Michael and Sherrie Wells shortly after their 13-month-old son, Brady Michael Wells, was diagnosed with non-differentiated acute leukemia, according to the organization’s website.
“In Brady’s 10 months of treatment, he received 66 blood product transfusions, all from anonymous donors,” said Sherrie Wells, Founder of the Hugs for Brady Foundation. “As a mom, I am eternally grateful for that.”
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The Hugs for Brady Foundation is also especially grateful for their generous and numerous volunteers.
Robert Noel, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, first became involved with the Hugs for Brady Foundation when one of the Hugs for Brady Board members introduced he and his wife to the Wells’. Noel said he and his wife have been involved ever since.
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“Once we got involved we realized what a great organization it was and it was definitely worth our time,” Noel said.
A father himself, Noel was glad to volunteer his time on Father’s Day to help others in need and he was glad to see such a great turnout of fathers donating blood.
“People have children that are sick, that have cancer…they are frustrated, they are scared, and to know that people will give their time on a great day like this, that’s what it’s all about,” Noel said. “This is what Father’s Day is all about.”
As a special thank you, each donor received a bouquet of flowers, a Hugs for Brady bag filled with goodies and a $10 gift card for Houlihan’s restaurant.
“Most blood drives just offer a sincere ‘thank you’, but Hugs for Brady always tries to go the extra mile to let people know that local kids with cancer depend on their generosity,” Mrs. Wells said.
Join Hugs for Brady at their next event, Kickball for Grown Ups, on August 16. The cost to participate is $200 per team, with a minimum of 10 people per team. The event will take place at Woodlot Park on New Road in Kendall Park. Food and drink will be provided. Find more information at www.hugsforbrady.com.
