We are so excited to announce that we have now expanded into not one but TWO new states: New Hampshire and Maine! That means our Team Summer kids have surprised other children with cancer in 39 states across the country. Look at all that PURPLE!
Through the years, we have learned that once Team Summer reaches a new area — in this case, New England — nominations tend to flood in. And that’s exactly what’s happening!
We’ve already gotten six nominations… with lots more on the way!!
To handle all this new activity, we’re officially launching an urgent $8,000 fundraiser from now until the end of June. Every donation helps our Team Summer kids continue reaching and supporting other children battling cancer. Can you help?
How this expansion came about is a pretty cool story. It all started with Team Summer rockstar Briley from Georgia!
Briley became a Team Summer kid way back in 2018 when she was battling leukemia at just seven years old. Through the years, Briley has gone on to surprise 21 other kids with cancer! Now 15, she’s thriving, crushing it on the volleyball court, and continuing to be exactly what Team Summer is all about.
The chain of giving that took Team Summer to New England actually headed south first… from Briley’s home in Georgia… down to 4-year-old Azalea’s home in Florida!
About a year ago, Azalea started having symptoms that seemed fairly harmless. Her face became puffy around her eyes, and everyone assumed seasonal allergies were to blame. Her doctor prescribed Claritin, but after two weeks there was no improvement. Then mysterious bruises started appearing, and Azalea seemed really tired all the time. Her pediatrician ordered bloodwork, and the results sent Azalea straight to the ER. Devastating news followed: Azalea had leukemia.
Since then, Azalea’s world has been turned upside down. Chemotherapy started right away, and Azalea spent about a week in the hospital. Then two days after she got home, an infection sent her right back to the hospital. About a week into that stay, Azalea’s intestines burst, requiring emergency surgery. Complications kept Azalea in the hospital for the next three months, where she developed a serious skin infection which will eventually require plastic surgery.
That’s a lot for one little four-year-old girl. Yet, through all of the challenges, Azalea continues to push on… with treatments expected to continue for another year.
This is where Team Summer kid Briley comes in! Turns out, Briley knew Azalea through a connection between their families. Briley could not wait to cheer up Azalea by making her a Team Summer kid, too!
When Azalea opened her surprise gift on the big day, she first looked back and forth at both parents in absolute shock. Then her smile went from ear to ear! Thanks to generous donors like you, she was holding her very own Nintendo Switch, and she could not have been more excited!
Way to go, Briley. That is a very happy face!
And that single act of kindness would soon take Team Summer to New Hampshire, where Azalea made her very first nomination: five-year-old Camryn. Stay tuned for that story!
Can you help fund this new growth at Team Summer? We would be so grateful for your support!
*Team Summer, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
