Birthday Girl's Generosity Fills Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Program's Birthday Box

This year Abby Cox celebrated her birthday differently than most children.  She invited her friends over for a party but decided that any gifts received would be donated to UNC Lineberger’s Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Program.  This program is part of the Department of Pediatrics, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Children’s Oncology Group.

The response to Abby’s request was nearly five bags of toys for children of all ages ranging from Barbie dolls to stuffed animals to iTunes gift cards. Along with her sister Kate and her mom Candler, Abby brought the toys to the hospital hoping to fill the program’s Birthday Box.

Children receiving treatment through the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Program often have extended stays in the hospital that can run into their birthdays. The Birthday Box provides gifts to these children on their special day, hoping to ease the discomfort of spending this special time in the hospital.

Candler Cox felt this experience was wonderful for her daughter. The Cox family has been a part of the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center for a very long time. Candler and her daughters are descendants of the Lineberger family for whom the center is named. She is very proud of the unselfishness of her daughter Abby and it seems that it runs in the family -- Kate is thinking of doing the same thing for her birthday in August.

Abby and Kate check out the toys in the Pediatric Hematology - Oncology clinic in the UNC Children’s Hospital.

They also take a peek at the clinic’s fish tank.