Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Childhood can be a tricky thing to navigate gracefully, and even more difficult when dealing with childhood illnesses like cancer, which can greatly impact a child's social connections, confidence and overall mental and emotional wellbeing. That's why this year, 11-year-old Sadie Prime made it her own personal goal to help the children at Shands Children's Hospital in Gainesville make the most out of the holiday season. This November, Prime collected donations from the community and advocated for the children battling cancer at Shands, with the intention of helping them to feel supported, loved and “not alone” this holiday season. Together, she and a group of volunteers were able to collect enough gifts and items to fill 100 Christmas stockings, which were delivered to the children at the hospital just in time for Christmas.
Prime revealed that when she was younger, she experienced her own brush with cancer; At the age of just four years old, she developed cancerous spots on her head that she had to have surgically removed. Her personal experience opened her eyes to the experiences of other children who faced cancer treatments that were lengthy, intimidating and intense at such a young age.
“I didn't have to fight as hard as some other kids have to,” she mentions. “Which is why I wanted to do something for them. They don't get to see a Christmas tree, or decorations, or things like that. They don't get to go home. I wanted to give them something that would help make them feel special. They are special, no matter how different they are – they fight just as hard as other kids.”
This is not Prime's first time organizing a charitable donation drive. Last year, she was able to collect and distribute over 1800 hygiene products for individuals struggling with homelessness. Her goal for the near future is to start up a non-profit organization called Sadie's Saving Grace, which some close family friends have offered to assist her with. Sadie's Saving Grace will focus on spreading love, encouragement and support to children fighting cancer. Prime plans to focus on community outreach and services, and providing children with fun items, supplies and toys to help them keep a positive outlook while they face their difficult health journeys.
When it comes to supporting others, she has a simple rule: “Don't treat anyone different. Just make sure they are loved and supported.”
Prime is currently in 5th grade, and when she is not busy doing her schoolwork or working on community service projects, she enjoys playing with her 7-year old brother, Mason, spending time with her family, drawing, playing baseball and playing with her two crested geckoes (Thing 1 and Thing 2) with her older brother, Christopher.
For her next community outreach effort, Prime will be collecting cards and candy to make valentines to show appreciation and support for local first responders in February. Anyone who would like to assist her can give a donation via her Amazon wishlist at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1CGFYMTO2CLB9?ref_=wl_share.
In the meantime, Prime will continue using kindness and compassion to help make the world around her that much more special.
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