Brad Pitt Donates $1M to Open Pediatric Cancer Center
Tuesday June 16, 2009
As if we needed another reason to love Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt! The actor and his family have generously donated 1 million dollars to fund the opening of a children's cancer center in his hometown of Springfield, Missouri. The donation will fund the staffing of a pediatric oncologist and hematologist - the only two in the region. The cancer center will be named after Pitt's mother, Jane, who was passionate about children's causes. The Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center will open its doors to patients this summer.
In other celebrity news, Melissa Etheridge has joined the board of directors of the Noreen Fraser Foundation, an organization that focuses on women's cancers. Etheridge, who is a breast cancer survivor, told People that the opportunity it is "a dream come true".
In other celebrity news, Melissa Etheridge has joined the board of directors of the Noreen Fraser Foundation, an organization that focuses on women's cancers. Etheridge, who is a breast cancer survivor, told People that the opportunity it is "a dream come true".
Comments
My son was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma on April 1, 2009, and I thought, this can’t be right, there has to be something wrong with the MRI, they mixed it up with someone else’s, etc… He was 3 months old, he is now going on six months and undergoing chemotherapy, which so far he has handled like a little warrior, and has been as happy as can be, he has helped to get my husband and I through this when it should be the other way around. It is so terrifying. We are living our worst nightmare. My husband and I took him to the pediatrician for a cold that really wasn’t even all that bad, but me being the over protective mommy thought “I am not letting this go unchecked, what if he develops RSV? It was not RSV, it was Neuroblastoma. He has a tumor the size of a softball in his tiny chest. At this point you think “but it was just a cold, what are you people talking about, cancer” no, thats not what we are here for, then you thank god for the cold that brought you there in the first place, early diagnosis is a childs best chance with this, and again you thank god for the cold that brought you there. Were told that his prognosis is very favorable, but it will be tough getting there, like climbing mount everest, but we will help you get to the top, they said, and they are doing just that. I am absolutely terrified. So thank you so much to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie for their amazingly generous donation. While it won’t directly benefit my son, it will benefit other children and thats an amazing feeling for a parent with a child dealing with this, people who truly care. You learn from day one not to say “why me” or “why my son”. All you have to do is look around and you begin to say and think to yourself “Why any of these children”? Why any of these parents?
Thank you again for your amazing contribution and may god bless.