Salt Lake City (ABC 4 News) HopeKids delivers on its goal. The charity group exists to give hope to children with life threatening illnesses and medical issues and the chapter in Utah is doing just that.
A recent activity put on for children involved in HopeKids was held at the Castle in Layton. (see slide show of photos) Dozens of young girls dressed up like princesses attended the Ball - complete with Kings and Queens and incredible music. However, it was much more than a party - it is a celebration for children with life threatening diseases. And this is the way the Hope Kids organization is helping them fight. HopeKids Executive Director C. R. Oldham says, "It's really hard for them to get through that treatment. If you can say (to the children) if you make it through your chemo next week we'll see Training the Dragon or go to a princess ball - it means the world to them and builds, in them, the willingness to fight and to keep going.
Oldham lost his young daughter to cancer after a 19 month battle. He believes giving children hope is the key. "We like to say we bring them hope by making sure they always have something to look forward to. So, we fill their calendar with fun stuff."
And he is not alone. Once people see the program and the children that it helps - they often want to find ways to help themselves. In fact, the Princess Ball held last week, was actually organized by Linsey Holley after she met a HopeKids child in the hospital. Holley, who played the role of Cinderella at the ball (see slide show of pictures), says the children are so inspiring. "This is what love and compassion are all about. These little girls posses more of both than a true princess ever could."
The parent of the children, like Jenna Keith, can't say enough about HopeKids."Its so amazing to have her be so excited because she cant do a lot right now." Her daughter Brooklyn has leukemia. Jenna says it be hard for parents of healthy children to understand, but the events planned by HopeKids truly do matter. "It makes all the difference in the world. It does. We don't know if its going to be the last thing we can go to, so it is something that is invaluable to us."
For more information: Click the link http://www.hopekids.org/
