Nation is being called to “UNITE in HOPE.” September was Pediatric Cancer Awareness month, and criminal justice major Alberto Oliveria III is doing his part to raise awareness on campus with the “I Pledge for Brooke” fundraiser.
“All that is being asked for is to pledge just $1 in Brooke’s memory. When we think of the number of students, faculty and staff members that make up TAMUK, that’s the potential we have as a university to make a huge difference for a beautiful foundation all started by a sweet little girl, Brooke,” Oliveria said.
The “I Pledge for Brooke” fundraiser is a part of the Brooke’s Blossoming Hope Foundation.
“Established in 2012, the organization is a 100 percent volunteer led non-profit. Over $350,000 has been donated to kids’ cancer research. With now 103,000 patients in 52 countries directly impacted with Brooke’s Blossoms headwear care packages,” Oliveria said.
The foundation was created to honor the memory of Kingsville native Brooke Hester.
“Brooke was a regular, happy, healthy little girl. Her battle with stage IV Neuroblastoma cancer led her down the path of hope to find cures, and we hope you will want to learn more about why her foundation exists to make a bigger difference for other children globally fighting all kinds of pediatric cancers,” as stated by the foundation’s website.
Brooke’s mother, Jessica Hester, is the founder and driving force behind her late daughter’s foundation.
“[TAMUK]…can work together to empower a better future filled with hope for the youngest of heroes who need our voices, our helping hands and our hearts to care and make real change starting now,” Hester said.
The proceeds help fund care packages sent to pediatric cancer patients and provides “critical funding to support pediatric cancer research and trials,” as stated by the foundation’s website.
In addition to donating a dollar, Javelinas can purchase t-shirts that support the foundation.
“Individuals can buy a shirt to support the cause that costs $15 and was made by Luis Leal who is a Ewing’s Sarcoma survivor,” said biomedical science major Dustyn Naldoza.
Oliveria and other student volunteers promote the fundraiser and collect donations by tabling in the SUB on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 to 2 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
“The ‘I Pledge for Brooke’ fundraiser started this past Spring semester of 2019. It is my hope to continuously have Brooke’s fundraiser every semester thereafter,” Oliveria said.