Kids Launch an iPad Lending Library System for Hospitals
I’m writing you this letter on behalf of my 11-year-old daughter Sarah Clein who is a student at Binks Forest Elementary School in Wellington. Sarah’s 6-year-old cousin Aaron was treated last year for cancer (stage 4 Ewing’s Sarcoma) at the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood. I’m happy to report that Aaron is 1 year disease free. Sarah has decided that she would like to help other children like Aaron by setting up iPad Lending Libraries in local hospitals throughout Palm Beach, Broward and Dade counties. Children on oncology floors have to stay long term in the hospital some even staying for years while enduring painful procedures. Aaron was very lucky to have an iPad but unfortunately most hospitals throughout South Florida do not have iPads for children to use. Most parents do not have the resources available to them to purchase iPads while they are dealing with such difficult situations. Sarah was unable to see Aaron because of his compromised immune system during his 7 months of treatment so they interacted via Facetime. She would take Aaron in her playroom on the iPad and play Legos while he was in his hospital bed playing right along with her.
Last month with the help of the Little Smiles, the Hollywood Police Department and private contributors we donated 16 iPads to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital oncology floor in Hollywood. This month we are donating 10 iPads to the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Sarah’s dream is to set up Aaron’s iPad Lending Libraries in honor of her cousin and we would like to ask the Around Wellington community to consider helping us with this important endeavor.
We have become a 501 (c)(3) public charity under the name Team Aaron Inc. our website address is www.teamaaron.org. Please see Aaron’s story in a 2 minute movie that Sarah made on YouTube: Team Aaron Inc. and http://www.nbcmiami.com/
Thank you from a very proud Mom,
Deborah Clein