Giovanna Nocera

Around the country, more and more children — some barely out of kindergarten — are taking the lead in raising money to find a cure. Some hope to help a friend or loved one battling cancer. Others have only heard about the disease in school or on television. But all agree: Even a little bit can help!

The things kids have done to help support City of Hope are as imaginative and diverse as the children themselves.

For example, Theresa and Yvonne Larkin, ages 13 and 11 respectively, recently held a concert in their back yard in Downey, California. Joined by their friends Destanee Roberts and Aimee Sanzone, their singing raised $200 for cancer care — all in the name of a relative being treated at City of Hope.

The Blue Dolphins

Leukemia survivor Concetta Nocera and her daughter, Giovanna, sell homemade bracelets featuring the word HOPE spelled out in beads. Selling them for $6, they’ve raised over $135 so far for City of Hope. One of these “Hope Beads” bracelets is worn by Stephen Forman, M.D., chair of City of Hope’s division of hematology and hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Even traditional lemonade stands have joined the fight. That’s how Camilla Higgins, age 9, and Elizabeth van Hiel, 10, were each able to contribute $20 to help beat cancer.

"The hard work and dedication these children have put into their fundraising
activities is inspirational,” says Michael A. Friedman, M.D., president and CEO
of City of Hope. “No matter how young or old we are, all of us have it in our

Lemonade stand fundraiser.  All these children came up with ways to help beat cancer.

“We are very proud and grateful to have such caring and youthful partners standing with us in our work.”