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NEW CHALLENGES, SAME HOLIDAY EVENT!

Like all other aspects of life, the hospital’s annual Polar Express week will change due to COVID19. This has been the signature event originated and supported by Bright Happy Power for oncology and transplant patients on several units of Children’s Hospital Boston.

This year, all celebrations take place bedside with family-only, supported by staff. Visitors and volunteers are not permitted.

As well, we have been asked to change the nature of the donations. The greatest needs are for everyday essentials and comfort items for patients, parents and siblings. We will provide funds to be used by hospital staff to develop a variation on Polar Express week that meets family needs while continuing to offer fun as well.

Additionally, the hospital cannot permit external donations of any items this year, but must order all the supplies from their own vendors. Your donations to Bright Happy Power will bring holiday cheer to the bedside of pediatric cancer and hematology patients.

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Accomplishments

This nonprofit has been operating since 2007, and has accomplished the following projects:

  • Family and patient programming at Childrens Hospital Boston for oncology, hematology, and transplant units: holiday and seasonal events with crafts, activities, games
  • Support for pediatric  patients at Mass General, Dana Farber, Childrens Hospital Boston, Maine Medical Laura Bush Children’s Hospital, Beverly Hospital, and other regional hospitals and clinics
  • Trained high school volunteers who have gone on to pursue medical or child development careers
  • Established community events that celebrate life and remember loved ones:
  • Direct support for families living with cancer and other challenges: meals and gift cards for meals, toiletries, books, games and interactive educational tools such as iPads, parking passes, and financial assistance
  • Sibling and family support with access to concerts and events with Dana Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic
  • Provided childlife resources such as books, soccer balls, and toys for children being treated for burns and cleft palates by international teams such as Rotaplast
  • Developed a grief therapy for surviving siblings
  • Fundraising for cancer research and treatment with Pan Mass Challenge/PMC as part of Team Kermit: Chris Doktor and Sarah Doktor
  • Support for research for rare diseases such as CMTJ4
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About Bright Happy Power

Bright Happy Power is a small nonprofit 501(c)3 (ID #26-1668751) that aims to place hope, happiness and empowerment into the hands and lives of children and families facing life-threatening and catastrophic challenges. It was co-founded by Sarah, Gail, and Chris Doktor, inspired by the life of Sarah’s sister and Chris and Gail’s daughter Jessie, who lived with leukemia. Our organization was named among the One Hundred by Mass General Hospital for its service to cancer families.

Contact us: Bright Happy Power, 49 North Main St, Ipswich, MA 01938.

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