By Lori Butterworth, founder and executive director of Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services
With the holidays upon us, it can be difficult to choose how to give meaningful gifts. Join us for a heart-felt, intimate conversation with Melissa Gilbert about how she handles this issue in her own life and how she encourages others — from movie stars to moms — to choose where and how to use your life to make a difference. Melissa Gilbert captured our hearts at age nine as Laura Ingalls on the beloved television series Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983).
She went on to star in numerous roles on screen and stage and served two terms as President of the Screen Actors Guild. What most people don’t know is that privately, and without fanfare, Melissa made a decision to use her fame to bring joy to children with cancer, including children from our local community.
Among her numerous efforts, Melissa called upon Hollywood friends – including Robin Williams, Leonardo Decaprio and Will Smith – to brighten the lives of children with cancer. Melissa was also instrumental in the passage of legislation that made hospice services more available to children as Board President during the founding of the Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition.
At the breakfast two local mothers will present heart-warming thanks to Melissa for personally touching the lives of their sons. The photo at right shows Melissa presenting cancer patient, Dustin Meraz, who wanted to be an actor, with his Screen Actors Guild membership card. Melissa also helped develop a friendship with Robin Williams and our dear Greg Melendy as Greg faced the end of his life. The ongoing friendship with Robin gave Greg many months of healing laughter!
Dustin’s mom, Trisha Meraz, serves on the Board of Jacob’s Heart in memory of Dustin and chairs the Family Advisory Committee.
Up close and personal, Melissa will share moving stories of her work with children with cancer and their families. She’ll discuss her public triumphs and personal struggles while juggling the roles of actress, wife, mother and advocate for children with cancer.
Best of all, she’ll share her warm and wise advice for making the most of your charitable giving now and throughout the year. Bring your questions, your comments, and your own stories as together we usher in a warm and wonderful holiday season.
This event is generously sponsored by Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, and Stanford Children’s Health in support of the outstanding services Jacob’s Heart provides to local families of children with cancer. For the past 16 years, the oncology department at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford has worked with Jacob’s Heart as a trusted community partner. Knowing that children undergoing intensive cancer treatment have a local resource they can turn to for emotional, practical and financial support is an extremely valuable resource. Stanford is proud to partner with Jacob’s Heart in an effort to provide create a seamless continuum of compassionate care for children and families between hospital and home.
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100% of the proceeds from this event will go directly to supporting children with cancer in our community. For Tickets visit: http://jacobsheart breakfast.eventbrite.com
Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services is located at 2007 Freedom Blvd., Freedom, CA 95019