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Area pupils aid cancer patients

MAKE CARE PACKAGES — Wintersville Elementary pupils have been collecting items to create chemotherapy care packages for patients at the Tony Teramana Cancer Center. Officials expected to fill about 150 tote bags with snacks, cards and miscellaneous items to help patients undergoing treatment as well as family members offering love and support. With some of the bags are, from left, second-graders Hannah Howell, Kylie Dray, Jade Avinger, Bo Paulman and Ty Schubert. -- Contributed

WINTERSVILLE — Wintersville Elementary School pupils are providing cancer patients with a little comfort as they undergo treatment at the Tony Teramana Cancer Center.

Pupils collected puzzles, snacks and other supplies for chemo care packages that will be donated to the facility this month. Second-grade teacher Sarah Hayes said more than 100 tote bags were being filled with items and given to the cancer center.

Among the items collected were individually wrapped cookies, crackers, chips and granola bar snacks, as well as mints, hard candy, Gatorade and sugarless gum; personal care items including Chapstick, lotion, toothpaste and mouthwash, hand sanitizer, travel-sized wipes and tissue and wristbands to reduce nausea; miscellaneous goods such as reusable plastic cups with straws, hats, slipper socks, small blankets or afghans, puzzle books, pens and pencils, magazines, journals or notebooks and playing cards or travel-size games.

Also accepted were individually packaged snacks, bottled water and other drinks for patients and family members, as well as gas cards, gift cards and cash or check donations.

Hayes said pupils will add homemade cards filled with well-wishes and other sentiments to brighten the patients’ day.

“Last year we sent 110 bags. This year our goal is 150 bags and we’re coming close to meeting our goal,” Hayes said. “We got a lot of positive feedback from the community. When people in the community heard about it, they wanted to help. My goal is to spread a little bit of joy, and I want the kids to know a little goes a long way.”

Hayes was inspired by her late mother, who underwent treatment at the facility.

“We’ve done service learning projects for years, but the idea was perpetuated by my mom who was being treated at the time. She was curious about who took care of other patients’ needs (who didn’t have family or support while undergoing chemotherapy),” she continued. “We’ve also had parents, faculty and students who had cancer and it helps us come together. All of us know somebody who has or had cancer. It affects all of us.”

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