I learned about "Hugs for Brady" when I was getting tutored this past summer. My tutor had to cancel a session to attend a funeral. When I saw her a few days later, she was still sad so I asked her whose funeral it was. She said "it was for my friends' son Brady". I asked what happened and how old was Brady. My tutor told me Brady wasn't even a year old when he developed this rare cancer that the doctors did not even know about. She explained how his illness started as an ear infection with a fever, that spread to his eyes and from there it spread to his body. I also asked if she had a picture of Brady, which she did. Brady was very cute. After she showed me the picture, we talked about how Brady and children like Brady are in the hospital and too sick to do many things.

Brady's parents always talked about how Brady and the other children loved to play with toys and games and it would brighten their day when someone was able to play with them. Because of Brady, I learned that there are many kids sick in the hospital with pediatric cancer and they don't get to see their brother, sister or friends. Like all kids, these children love playing games and toys with their parents to help brighten their days. With the holidays approaching, I would love to get these children brand new toys, puzzles or games to play with.

The reason that I am talking about "Hugs for Brady" is, if I were one of these sick children, I would agree that my time in the hospital was tough and bringing me a toy, puzzle or game would make it easier and make me feel happier and possibly even better. It must be pretty hard for a kid to live all the time in a hospital. I believe by receiving a new gift it would make the hospital feel a little more like home.

I can relate "Hugs for Brady" to my Dvar Torah, because my torah portion discusses how Joseph wrapped up all the food and donated it to the Jewish people in places that needed it. I will be trying to do the same thing except instead of food it will be with the new toys, games and puzzles. I will wrap the donated items and use them to help decorate the bema for my Bat-Mitzvah for the Congregation to see their generosity, prior to delivering them to the hospital. Just by donating one brand new toy, game or puzzle, you are brightening up a child's life and I know for a fact that they are very thankful and are much happier.

To quote the Wells "pediatric leukemia or any pediatric cancer is nothing short of pure evil. It has no soul, makes no sense and it must be stopped." The Hugs for Brady foundation was created to help ease the pain that this horrible disease causes to children. The children are both boys and girls, ranging in ages from newborn to twenty three years old. Because these children are ill and susceptible to germs, all gifts must be brand new, never used or unwrapped. The items cannot be wrapped as a gift because the child life team needs to see what the gift is before they can give it to a child.

There will be toy pick-up at Congregation Bnai Tikvah on Sunday mornings to coincide with Hebrew School Drop Off.

This year I decided to do more to support The Lustgarten Foundation. I am volunteering at the New York Walk and will be assisting with the setup and refreshments. I am also raising awareness in my community by selling bracelets and handing out informative pamphlets. I created a web page to raise additional funds, and every dollar raised will go to research in hope for a cure.

Please join me in the fight against Pancreatic Cancer. If you would like to purchase a bracelet please send me an email or visit my website.

Lets hope that one day people will not have to suffer with this disease. I thank you for your support.

The primary mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness is to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), macular degeneration, usher syndrome, and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases. The foundation also provides resources and education for people with these diseases and their families.