BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — There’s a long running program for the families of pediatric cancer patients that doesn’t get much attention. It’s called “Helping Hands.” It provides Wegmans gift cards to families of pediatric cancer patients.
“That gift of nourishment to a family who is doing their best to get through each day is just so important,” said PUNT Pediatric Cancer Collaborative Executive Director Gwen Mysiak.
Ashley McGrath from West Seneca is one of countless parents to receive the gift cards. It happened in 2021 when her two-year-old son, Cooper was fighting a rare brain cancer at Oishei Children’s Hospital.
“No, you don’t even want to eat,” McGrath said. “You can’t even think about what’s next. You can’t even think about what’s your next meal, what’s your next move? When will I shower? You just don’t.”
Wegmans has been donating to the P.U.N.T. Pediatric cancer collaborative “Helping Hands” program for more than a decade. It donates roughly $10,000 a year.
“Just helping them. Giving them a little bit of support getting their groceries. It’s the very least that we are able to do,” said Wegmans spokeswoman Michele Mehaffy.
The donation also pays for the daily meals at the Compassion Connection in Lancaster. It’s a support center for grieving families. Parents like McGrath say the small gesture helps in a big way.
“You can just focus on your child, and that’s what you should be able to do,” McGrath said.
To make a donation to P.U.N.T., click here.