Stories of Hope |
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It's a Spooktacular time of year! Fall is here and children are getting excited for Halloween. Please consider Donating to our Annual Costume Drive.
Just imagine a really sick child and seeing their face light up when we present them with their very own costume, that they get to keep. We've seen miracle smiles, again and again, as a really sick child transforms themselves and transcends their circumstances. This is very important during treatment and it makes a big difference for children who are in the hospital. We have found that children who are in the hospital really enjoy their costumes, they are a perfect way for them to rise above their illness to become a Pretty Pretty Princess or their favorite Superhero. We are in need of costumes all year long, please consider supporting us by becoming a Costume Designer Partner. Your Partnership will provide 1,000 costumes for children in our participating hospitals. Due to health concerns we can only accept new costumes.
Our most requested costumes are Princesses for girls and Superhero's for boys.
To donate new costumes for our Annual Costume Drive buy one and send it to us, send us a gift card, or make a donation! FUN FOR EVERYONE TIP: Get in on the fun and host a costume drive on our behalf. Call us for details (949) 454-8997, we'd love to hear from you! 
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 We are happy to join in the choir to sing praises to Elia, Happy and Healthy Now!
"Elia struggled most of her life with repeated unexplained vomiting episodes that started when she was 3 years old. When she was five she was diagnosed with Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome. Episodes would happen every 8 weeks, give or take a couple of weeks at times, and would always end up with a trip to the ER or hospital admission due to its severity. She would throw up every 1/2 hour to every hour for 48 hours or longer, with intense stomach pains, and dehydration. Other than vomiting and stomach pains during each episode, she had no other symptoms, and her episodes would come without a warning and would stop as suddenly as it started. In July of 2015, she went through what we thought was the worst episode yet. She was admitted to the hospital and by the 5th day test results showed that she was suffering from pancreatitis and complete intestinal blockage caused by an unknown cystic mass next to the her duodenum (first part of the small intestine). It was during surgery one week later that they discovered that she had a duodenal duplication cyst, a very rare congenital anomaly. They were able to partially excise the cyst, avoiding a more complicated surgery. It would take another two weeks for her to heal. The arts and crafts box [Bedside Adventure Kit] that Discovery Arts left for her kept her busy and helped take her mind off any pain or discomfort she was having. She also received a beautiful yellow fairy dress, wand, and wings when Discovery Arts visited the play room. While she could not wear the dress yet, she happily donned her wings every time she took a walk around the hospital floor. I am happy to say that she only had two more vomiting episodes after the surgery and is doing very well despite the unexplained bile duct dilatation she is now being monitored for." ~ Elia's Mom Fides Read more to learn how the minimally invasive surgery performed at the Pediatric Surgical Center at Miller Children’s Hospital helped Elia recover. She is now back to being a child and doing the things she loves like singing in her church choir.  "Saw your post last that night with my daughter holding up all her yellow goodies. That was the funnest day she had at the playroom. She loved the arts and crafts and was so thrilled that there was a yellow dress that fit her. Yellow is her absolute favorite color, as you can tell. I will also never forget the spark in her eyes when she saw the bed side box you guys left for her in her room while she was in surgery. It was a lovely surprise. I just want to thank you for playing an awesome part in her healing. She is doing well today and this Christmas was able to sing a solo and be a live model in a life size art piece. Thank you for being a blessing to her!" ~ Fides
Dear Fides and Family, Thank you so much for the lovely card. Your note warms our heart. Knowing that your daughter found some comfort during a very scary time in your lives is what keeps us motivated. Be well and God Bless! With Heartfelt Thanks, The Cast & Crew at Discovery Arts 6-year old Desi Cechin was diagnosed with Stage IV High Risk Neuroblastoma & began ongoing treatment on 4/23/14. She fought hard and very bravely. She won the battle on March 16, 2016. Our prayers now are for her family, that they have the strength to carry on her legacy, that they find healing, and in time are able to come to terms with their greatest loss. This incredible little girl, with the love and support of her family, had a tremendous impact on her community. It's like her love and brightness allowed everyone to come together in love to rally for her. We were very honored to have been touched by Desi and to have followed her journey. One thing that I would recommend that you take away from this post is the incredible strength of her family. Desi's mom Laura has shown such grace in sharing Desi's journey with the world. There are so many healing aspects of knowing you are not alone in the fight to save your child. If are you are a parent that has lost a child to cancer I believe you might gain much healing from following Believing For Desi on facebook! In Loving Memory and In Honor of all the children and families that we serve, especially to those we have had to say "Goodbye for Now" to, You make our mission that much more endearing for our entire Cast and Crew.  Desi all smiles with her Discovery Arts Bedside Adventure Kit. 
Please help us continue to deliver the healing gifts of imagination, fun and the important sense of normalcy to these brave children, all year long.
To donate new costumes for our Annual Costume Drive buy one and send it to us, send us a gift card, or make a donation. We are in need of costumes all year long, please consider supporting us by becoming a Costume Designer Partner. Your Partnership will provide 1,000 costumes for children in our participating hospitals.
“When you save a child’s life, you affect families, future generations, and everyone that child will influence over a lifetime. When you support a scientist, you affect not only the current work, but all the trainees, collaborators, and personnel connected to the work, and all their future studies that will follow over a lifetime.“ Here are a few ways you can help our mission of bringing joy a sigh of relief to children who are in the hospital undergoing treatment for cancer or other life threatening illness. Win Prizes! Have Fun! Make a Difference! September has 30 days and 30 Chances to gather $1 a day. Take the 30/30 Challenge on your own or become a Team Leader! Our spokesperson, Cathy Rigby, works tirelessly at raising awareness for our mission, which is an ongoing problem with ongoing needs. We are asking everyone to donate a 'Grateful Dollar’ in honor of every healthy child you know to help a sick child in the hospital. Your generous Monthly Partnership will help a child in need of joy and laughter. Your support of just $15, or more, a month will help bring Arts Adventures to one child with cancer, serious blood disorder or life threatening illness. This is an ongoing service for an ongoing need. Your monthly support keeps us going, so we can continue to bring much needed relief to these special children who are facing the greatest fear of all. Give back and help while doing everyday things like shopping and dining. It's easy! And doesn't cost you extra money. Connect with us and share with your friends!
Cathy Rigby hosts a day at CHOC and
Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center at Miller Children's Hospital  We are thrilled have a featured product line with RuMe.com's Care Warriors, the premiere source for stylish designs in Reusable Totes, Travel Accessories & Lifestyle Bags. The RuMe Care Warriors program helps those battling illness or hardship to create an income stream that helps to relieve their financial fears. Sellers in the Care Warriors program customize RuMe's products for their cause and receive 50% of their campaign-specific product sales. “Be Courageous” for Discovery Arts! Featuring the inspirational Jonas Salk quote of, "Hope lies in dreams, in imagination, and in the courage of those who dare to make dreams into reality.", these special "Be Courageous!" exclusives from RuMe are certain to delight while making a difference for Discovery Arts and our “Courage Campaign”. 50% of sales from these products benefit Discovery Arts. Click on the photo to see the entire line of The RuMe Collections  |
Discovery Arts
Bringing the healing power of the arts to children who are in the hospital undergoing treatment for cancer or life-threatening illness. 
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