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Excerpt:

ROYAL PALM BEACH — Peter and Jean Morris know the problem they’re trying to address is huge. And their charity is like a raindrop in the ocean, making tiny dents in the vastness of cancer and the dollars needed to fight it.

But to the patients they’ve helped, those raindrops, those small cash donations, were salve on the wounds that cancer inflicted to so much more than their physical health.

Students also get community service hours for school

I am a 48 year old mother of three beautiful girls. My husband Gary was diagnosed with leukemia in 2008. It was devastating news to me and the girls. The diagnosis was harsh, yet the prognosis was promising, so we kept our hopes up.

I remember that day I admitted Gary in the hospital for a 30-day induction of his first protocol of chemo-therapy. I was confused, anxious, and fearing for how I would take care of my family, home and bills.   Gary had always been the primary source of income.  I had been a stay at home Mom for 20 years.

Gary was put in remission and life went on as normal, until the following March 2009 when we got the devastating news of his relapse.  At that time, there was another 30 day induction which landed us in ICU, dialysis and many more complications.  

One day, I left the hospital wandering around to purchase necessities for Gary’s stay.  Almost as if it was meant to be, I ran across the Hugs and Kisses Center – a place where Palm Beach County residents go to support families like mine who battle cancer.

Once again my husband managed to overcome the treatment and the disease; we thought it was over.

It was during his second remission when we were asked if Gary would do a stem cell transplant to help keep him in remission.  The risk of the transplant was minimal considering the benefit. So, of course he jumped at the chance to prolong his life with his children. During the first stage of the transplant, we lost Gary.

It was devastating, the doctors were shocked and our family in disbelief.  His death on August 14, 2010 was a shock to us all.   But the harsh reality was the fate of me and my girls.   What was I to do? How would I get by?  No income!  A home! No vehicle!

My community stepped up to help us, including everyone who donates buttons, time or money to Hugs and Kisses, Inc.  They were able to help me by paying a month of my mortgage which was a lifesaver.  It’s been five months since my husband’s death.  We are still strongly emotionally and financially distraught – in ways I cannot begin to describe.   But, during some of our darkest moments, when the worrying was unbearable, we were able to get relief from Hugs and Kisses.

Here’s a chance to donate them to a cause that raises funds for cancer patients. We turn them into HUGS and KISSES – button bracelets we give as Thank You gifts for donations to our charity.

We need button donations as much as we need monetary donations. That minimizes our costs and maximizes our donations to patients.

Thank you in advance. Use “Comment” or “Contact us” to make arrangements.

Hugs and Kisses

Hugs and Kisses, Inc. is a non-profit charity run by teenagers. We raise funds for local cancer patients with desperate financial needs.

THANK YOU GIFT - HUGS and KISSES bracelet made from donated buttons

The problem:

Right now, cancer patients in your community who are in the fight of their lives are also in the grim predicament of having to choose between paying for a bill, or paying for a pill.   Every Month!

This is hardly the time to fight creditors!

Our solution:

We raise funds to lift this burden so patients can focus on healing.  Local funds go to local patients.  And our system is efficient: at least 85% of your donation goes to our programs – not administration.

Show your support:  Explore our site, and donate to HUGS and KISSES.