Launched in November 2004, Hearts for Hanah is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization founded by high school and junior high school students from the communities of Oswego and Mendota Illinois. Our mission is simple – actively engage students and the community in working together to support the search for a cure for childhood cancer. We know we can’t cure childhood cancer, but we can raise money for childhood cancer research and increase awareness for the costs associated with treatment and research. We can also provide emotional and financial support to families that are impacted by childhood cancer. Finally, in an effort to make a difference long term, we want to recognize and support students that have demonstrated both a history of giving back to their communities and an interest in pursuing careers that benefit the well being of children. To help them succeed and make a difference in the life of a child, we have established the Hanah Rae Scholarship Fund.
2007 was a year of wonderful outcomes due to the hard work of the Hearts for Hanah team, numerous volunteers, and many community supporters. Throughout the year Hearts for Hanah team members provided sweat equity at a variety of events designed to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and support. In April 2007 the team brightened the day of (20) families impacted by cancer through support of the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days. Mother’s Day 2007 was the perfect backdrop for our walkers as they participated in the Y-Me Walk for Breast Cancer in beautiful downtown Chicago. June 2007 brought the team back to our hometown of Oswego for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. This event was very uplifting and another reminder of why the Hearts for Hanah mission is so critical. Oswego PrairieFest continued to be a key community event for our organization. Despite the heat over Father’s Day weekend, thousands of Prairie Fest attendees supported our frozen slushie fundraiser. And the year was only half over!
We spent the remainder of 2007 focusing on our “One Drop at a Time” bottled water fundraiser. Thousands of customized bottles of water have been distributed at various events, helping to spread the word about Hearts for Hanah and reinforcing the mission of our organization. Through our continued fundraising efforts our goal is to broaden the impact our organization can make in the fight against childhood cancer.
In the midst of all of the fundraising and event support, Hearts for Hanah was proud to award their 2007-2008 Hanah Rae Scholarship to Phillip Dorjath, a senior from Batavia High School. Administered by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, the Hanah Rae Scholarship was designed to help foster a new generation of men and women who are planning to make a difference in the life of a child. We are thrilled to be able to support Phillip as he continues his educational journey.
Throughout the year Hearts for Hanah team members have been active in providing assistance to other charities that promote the well being of children including organizations like Ronald McDonald House Charities, the American Cancer Society and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Finally, Hearts for Hanah is grateful that we were able to provide financial gifts to (3) local families impacted by childhood cancer, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and Children’s Memorial Hospital.
We have met so many wonderful people and have a long list of supporters that have become friends of Hearts for Hanah. They are a constant reminder that we can make a difference. We look at the progress our inspiration, little Hanah Rae, has made and realize that miracles can happen. We approach our efforts with the same courage and strength Hanah demonstrates as she now celebrates year three of her remission. And for all of the other children who may not be celebrating, Hearts for Hanah will keep busy in 2008 to help support them in their battle against childhood cancer.
