Evie’s “Smile Miles” for Child Life

Hi, this is Evelyn Schwartz and she has been fighting rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer, for nearly four years. All through her many cancer treatments, radiation, chemo, experimental drugs she has remained a positive, bright, caring young woman. She has plans to someday become a nurse. Evelyn and her Dad, Mark, have long enjoyed cycling together and are hoping to be able to ride together again this year. Since the Schwartz family has been helped so much by community gifts in the past Mark decided this year that he would donate based on how many miles he was able to ride and Evie came up with the name “smile miles” and we thought we would open up the idea to the world to help us give back in some small measure to people who helped Evelyn through her journey. One group of professionals that made a great impact through Evie’s many hospital stays and clinic days has been Child Life Specialists. Child Life specialists are trained in helping to get children through medical procedures with as little trauma as possible and to bring children activities and distractions through some terrible times. When Evie had to have her head shaved after chemo, a Child Life Specialist was there with clippers and a smile. Mark has pledged to ride 5,000 miles this year and will add his and Evelyn’s miles up at the end of the year and donate $1.00 per mile to the Child Life programs at the C.S. Mott and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospitals.
This fundraiser has been created for people who would like to help us bring even more smiles to kids in hospitals. Doesn’t matter if you’re a cyclist, do what you love (safely—make sure if you’re exercising that it’s safe and healthy for you to do so!) and dedicate a donation to this fundraiser. We would love to post pictures of what you do and share them here and with our Child Life friends.
To follow Evie’s journey through continuing treatment for her recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma, please click: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/evelynschwartz
Thank you for helping us give back some smiles!