Karyn Sandhu, Board Member and Licensed Clinical Social Worker
“Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he/she sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” –Robert Kennedy
Serious medical illness, ongoing hospitalizations, and the trauma associated with a diagnosis of cancer is certainly an injustice. I believe that Chelsea started a ripple five years ago that has become a powerful current filled with caring volunteers and families that allow us into their lives. I hope she is proud of what her love of dressing up has become: a growing Foundation that creates smiles and hope for more than 1,000 children a year. And we want to do even more!
CHF volunteers and staff start a small ripple each time we visit a family at Doernbecher or Randall Children’s Hospitals. That ripple has far-reaching benefits that I’m sure we don’t even realize or witness firsthand. When helping a child choose a costume from Chelsea’s Closet, it not only creates joy for the patient but also relief for the parents and family members. This joy then spreads to the medical staff that care for the child and family. This might sound grandiose but I do believe that a small thing can go a long way. I see that every day in my own life. The smallest gift of a child getting to play while hospitalized has far reaching, positive benefits to everyone involved.
I have been to our Masquerade Ball every year and each year I am always impressed by how many attend, their heartfelt stories of interacting with CHF volunteers and families, and by their generosity and investment in CHF’s mission. I think this year will be even bigger – as CHF is in its 5th year and we are building a strong current! I am hopeful that this momentum will create hope for more and more families as we are a ripple effect at CHF, initiating change not only in ourselves as volunteers but in the patient families we see, the medical staff, and in the community.
Please join us at our annual Masquerade Ball on October 11 at The Sentinel in downtown Portland to celebrate CHF’s 5th year of serving local children and families. You can buy tickets here: https://chelseahicks.ejoinme.org/?tabid=542995.
I hope to see you there!
Karyn Sandhu, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
