Confidence N' Chemo

Hello all! My name is Gianna Colao, I am 18 and a senior at westerly high school… I am also a two-time stage IV cancer survivor. Growing up is hard enough for everyone, but adding chronic pain, hair loss, and isolation, it’s nearly impossible to live a normal life and keep a happy face on. I know sometimes I felt completely alone, lost in my own thoughts, with no one who really understood what I was going through. While receiving my many treatments at the Tomorrow Fund Clinic at Hasbro Children’s Hospital I was always greeted with warm hugs and a feeling like this was home. There being bald was a style, IV drips were the most fashionable accessory, and cancer was just a word. The Tomorrow Fund clinic is the reason I am writing this today. They saved my life more times than one, with the help of every nurse, CNA, and doctor, I have been in remission for 2 years now. But with all this positivity at the clinic, sometimes it just wasn’t enough, the young children there had a ball, there is a giant playroom with more toys than you could imagine, there are constantly people coming in and out whether it be clowns, people with therapy dogs or musicians. It’s amazing… for the young kids. As a teenager you don’t want to associate with that sort of excitement sometimes, so most lock themselves in the rooms, receive their treatments, and go home, with not a smile cracking the whole day. That is why for my senior project I want to host an event that is solely for the teenagers battling cancer. The event will be held on March 20, 2020, at the Tomorrow Fund Clinic, there will be food, games, makeup classes and conversation, for some this may be the first time they have talked to someone who is going through the same thing. I want every teenager to feel comfortable in their own skin and realize that just because cancer is tragic and scary, doesn’t mean you cannot make the most out of it. I am asking for any donations that can help me succeed with my senior project, I will be purchasing all supplies for the event out of pocket, I will need to buy food, decorations, make-up and much more. Any donation will help me. And all of the money I do not use for this event will be donated directly to The Tomorrow Fund Clinic to purchase teenager friendly items to make their stay more enjoyable like it is for the young children. I thank you all for reading this and hope you can help me. Cancer is scary, but maybe, just maybe with the help of all of you, we can help the teenagers who sometimes feel isolated in and out of the hospital that they are acknowledged and can still just be kids!