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Health & Fitness

What it means to be a Hugs for Brady Foundation Volunteer

Written By Jenny Martin

The Hugs for Brady Foundation holds a very real and special place in my heart.  It was during my time as a volunteer with this organization that I first discovered my calling through the joys of giving back to the patients and their families suffering from pediatric cancer. I was working as a research assistant in New York City when I first heard about the Hugs for Brady Foundation, and immediately knew I wanted to get involved. Brady’s story touched me very deeply, and hearing about other children still suffering from pediatric cancer and how difficult their lives were, made me that much more dedicated to helping in any way I could. From day one, Sherrie and Michael Wells immediately made me feel like a part of the Hugs for Brady family. I have had the privilege of working closely with them, and meeting wonderful, dynamic and interesting people who all play a central role in helping to eradicate pediatric cancer.  Helping to orchestrate blood drives, fundraising for pediatric oncology research, planning the annual winter gala, spreading awareness about the seriousness of this disease, delivering flowers to the hospital, sponsoring Brady wagons, etc. have all been rewarding opportunities for me to give back. Through these rich and colorful moments with Hugs for Brady, I realized my passion was helping children and their families suffering from cancer. I am now dedicating my life to becoming a pediatric oncology Nurse Practitioner, and I focus everyday on how I can do more for patients and their families coping with the aftermath of such a difficult diagnosis. I am currently in school in Philadelphia, and my experiences with the Foundation have provided invaluable perspective that has helped me greatly in providing the best care for my patients and their families in pediatric oncology.


I have learned through my experiences with The Hugs for Brady Foundation that everything you do matters, and every effort counts. The determination, high level of professionalism, and passion shown by Sherrie and Michael, as well as the rest of the volunteers, are a constant source of inspiration for me. The Hugs for Brady Foundation has grown tremendously in the past year due to the dedication and hard work of all of its volunteers and sponsors, who believe in the mission of the Foundation and can see for themselves the contribution that the Hugs for Brady Foundation has made to the pediatric oncology field. This is a 100% volunteer-based organization, and everyone who is involved genuinely wants to be because they believe in the goal of the Foundation and Brady’s powerful story of love, strength and courage, and the drive behind helping others suffering from pediatric cancers.

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I urge everyone reading this to pick up the phone or send an email today and ask how you can be involved and be part of this wonderful family. I became involved, and it changed my entire life in the best and most profound ways possible. Don’t wait.  Every minute counts, every person counts. As a Hugs for Brady Volunteer, you will understand how valuable and life-changing helping children with cancer can be, so don’t waste any time – get involved!

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