Stockings for Strength
Donation protected
My name is Whitney Setterdahl and I am a sophomore at the University of Illinois. Approximately a year and a half ago, I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. I have been treated at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and have had an AMAZING experience with the staff there. This December, I will be returning for another round of radioactive iodine treatment to supplement the complete thyrodectomy and two radioactive iodine treatments I have already had. However, this visit will not be one filled with anxiety or worry. Instead, it will be filled with joy, compassion, and holiday spirit.
Throughout this experience, I have gained a perspective I never had before. I saw how life works behind hospital doors. Going from appointment to appointment, always wondering and worrying and missing the little things you experienced in life before the diagnosis. It has left me feeling utterly broken-hearted to know how many others have felt the same pain and struggle.
From this, I have developed a passion for helping those affected by cancer. My goal is to lessen their fears, their worries and their stress and replace it with laughter, smiles, and memories. Sadly, teens are an underrepresented group in the hospital in terms of donations. They are often lost and torn between the pediatric and adult units. Until December 1st, I will be collecting both physical and monetarary donations to go towards stockings filled with fun and light-hearted gifts for other teens like me staying in the cancer unit at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. $15 will support one stocking and includes a personal message to the patient which can be emailed to [email redacted].
I can't wait to see the looks on the faces of the patients when they recieve the gifts just in time for the holidays and are reminded that they are not fighting alone!
Please consider donating and feel free to share my story with your family and friends.
Throughout this experience, I have gained a perspective I never had before. I saw how life works behind hospital doors. Going from appointment to appointment, always wondering and worrying and missing the little things you experienced in life before the diagnosis. It has left me feeling utterly broken-hearted to know how many others have felt the same pain and struggle.
From this, I have developed a passion for helping those affected by cancer. My goal is to lessen their fears, their worries and their stress and replace it with laughter, smiles, and memories. Sadly, teens are an underrepresented group in the hospital in terms of donations. They are often lost and torn between the pediatric and adult units. Until December 1st, I will be collecting both physical and monetarary donations to go towards stockings filled with fun and light-hearted gifts for other teens like me staying in the cancer unit at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. $15 will support one stocking and includes a personal message to the patient which can be emailed to [email redacted].
I can't wait to see the looks on the faces of the patients when they recieve the gifts just in time for the holidays and are reminded that they are not fighting alone!
Please consider donating and feel free to share my story with your family and friends.
Give $20 to help get this fundraiser to its goal
Organizer
Whitney Setterdahl
Organizer
Ogden, IL
