In our first year, one of the most special things was, and continues to be, building our relationship with Mary Bridge and their Hematology/Oncology Clinic. In working with them, we identified an opportunity to serve the kids and families in their community in a very meaningful way. In 2017, we were thrilled to announce that we started a program called Rachel's Hugs which grants wishes designed to enhance the lives of young cancer fighters at Mary Bridge. Every month we work with the Mary Bridge staff to identify the greatest needs of their patients. Whether it is an iPad to help with schoolwork or distracting games, a pet to keep them company, a bedroom makeover to help provide comfort, or an airline ticket for a member of their family to come visit, we do our best to fulfill the greatest and most urgent needs of these kids and their families. We think this is perfect, because it is another way that we can share Rachel’s love and hope with others, and make these cancer fighting kids feel special – just like she wanted. I think we can say, with confidence, that she would be incredibly happy and proud of the work her foundation has accomplished so far, and that the Rachel’s Hugs program in particular would fill her heart.
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Watch this page and our social media pages for stories and pictures of kids and young adults who are chosen to receive a Rachel's Hug!
Meet Our Most Recent Hugs Recipients!
Meet Mariana! Mariana is a sweet 3 year old who loves pink, yellow, and LEGO Friends. Her family had a couple of ideas for her Rachel’s Hugs request including a new iPad so that she could have a distraction during her treatment and hospital stays; an indoor trampoline for her to able to be active at home in Federal Way when she can't go outside; and a new stroller for comfortable transportation when she is tired and they are out and about. We put our heads together and came up with a fun package that we were able to deliver to Mariana last week at the Federal Way Mary Bridge Clinic. She took her job of opening presents very seriously and expressed her excitement for her new iPad, protective case, LEGO kits, stroller, trampoline, art supplies, bubble wands, cozy blanket, stuffed animals and other goodies with lots of clapping and cheers. Be sure to enjoy the photos in our Facebook post about Mariana and check out the comments for some fun videos. When she saw the iPad she was excited for “stories” and was interested in everything she opened – but especially the LEGO sets. While she loved everything, she made us giggle when she picked up her new LEGO Friends kits and abandoned everything else to head to the door of the clinic ready to get to the car. After everything was opened and they were ready to go, she clearly let us know where every new stuffed animal and LEGO Friends kit needed to be placed around her in the stroller! We love knowing that she has new things to help her through treatment and that they will bring her a lot of joy on days when she is feeling like jumping and having fun with her siblings and on days when she needs quiet activities.
Meet McKayla! McKayla is a kind, humble young woman who enjoys adventures and arts and crafts with her family. She also describes herself and her family as having big hearts and goofy personalities! McKayla had always wanted to get a massage, so she knew that she would love to ask for a spa day with her best friend in her Rachel’s Hugs application. We loved the idea of making this a very special Hug and reached out to the Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront to see if they might like to be a part of her experience. The management loved the idea and together we planned an overnight stay at the Silver Cloud with a water view room perfect for McKayla, her best friend, and McKayla’s mother. Several of our team members had the opportunity to meet up with them when they arrived at the hotel earlier this month to present her with a basket full of delicious treats, sparkling cider and champagne glasses, cozy throw blankets for all three women, along with hotel credit for food and a complete spa treatment at the hotel! We also included a gift card for Ice Cream Social because who doesn’t need that?! As our team left them to their fun, they were headed for the sauna, massages, and manicures. Her mom tells us that they had an absolute blast exploring Point Ruston, eating lots of amazing food, relaxing, and enjoying each other's company. You can tell by the pictures in our Facebook post about McKayla that they had a special time and were able to make lots of great memories to take back home with them to Oakville. A huge thank you goes to Silver Cloud Point Ruston for the discounted rates, complimentary dessert, upgraded room, VIP parking, and so much more.
Meet McKayla! McKayla is a kind, humble young woman who enjoys adventures and arts and crafts with her family. She also describes herself and her family as having big hearts and goofy personalities! McKayla had always wanted to get a massage, so she knew that she would love to ask for a spa day with her best friend in her Rachel’s Hugs application. We loved the idea of making this a very special Hug and reached out to the Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront to see if they might like to be a part of her experience. The management loved the idea and together we planned an overnight stay at the Silver Cloud with a water view room perfect for McKayla, her best friend, and McKayla’s mother. Several of our team members had the opportunity to meet up with them when they arrived at the hotel earlier this month to present her with a basket full of delicious treats, sparkling cider and champagne glasses, cozy throw blankets for all three women, along with hotel credit for food and a complete spa treatment at the hotel! We also included a gift card for Ice Cream Social because who doesn’t need that?! As our team left them to their fun, they were headed for the sauna, massages, and manicures. Her mom tells us that they had an absolute blast exploring Point Ruston, eating lots of amazing food, relaxing, and enjoying each other's company. You can tell by the pictures in our Facebook post about McKayla that they had a special time and were able to make lots of great memories to take back home with them to Oakville. A huge thank you goes to Silver Cloud Point Ruston for the discounted rates, complimentary dessert, upgraded room, VIP parking, and so much more.
Meet Liam! Liam is 12 years old and is a great kid who loves video games and sports (especially basketball!). He has had to share a bedroom for the past 3 years, but just recently he was able to move into his own room at their home in Olympia. When he heard about the Rachel’s Hugs program, Liam knew right away that he would love to request a bedroom makeover that would "represent his true spirit”. He hoped for a Fortnite-themed space with purple walls and teal accents, a lofted bed, and a desk underneath. We absolutely loved his vision and got to work picking out the best furniture and accessories for his space. Thanks to our friend and foundation supporter Marcus at MDM Painting, Liam's room was recently painted the perfect Fortnite purple along with Liam's help! Marcus and Liam had a great time getting to know each other and rumor is that Liam's shoes even got painted the same purple, which he wore to school the next day. After the paint was dry, our team arrived and got to work assembling the bed with Liam’s help. We had him leave the room as all of the bedding and final touches were added and we loved seeing his reaction when the final space was revealed to him. You can enjoy that video of the reveal in the comments section of our Facebook post about Liam. He was impressed with his new remote-controlled color-changing lights, large desk space, comfy office chair, and cozy bed complete with a food and beverage tray and he couldn't stop smiling as he looked around. He was ready to move his gaming system and TV on to that desk as soon as possible! We love knowing that Liam has a great space to relax after treatments, hang out with friends, and play lots of video games. A huge thank you goes to our friends at Mattress Ranch and Miller Paint for their generous donations of a mattress, pillows, bedding, and the paint for Liam's room!
Meet Rion! Rion is a sweet, happy 2-year-old who loves Sonic the Hedgehog, going to the park, and playing games with his family at home in Edgewood. His parents felt like an iPad would be a wonderful Rachel's Hugs request because he could use it to help with his speech and language development and would also keep him entertained during hospital stays and clinic visits. We were so excited to have the chance to meet Rion at the Mary Bridge oncology clinic a few weeks ago to deliver the brand new iPad, bright blue protective case, and kids headphones, along with a box full of activity books, crayons, a cozy Sonic the Hedgehog blanket, fun socks, and a variety of toys. Like many two-year-olds, Rion particularly enjoyed eating his goldfish snacks, busily exploring the clinic room, and smiling at everyone who was watching him with all of his Hug gifts. You can enjoy more photos of Rion in our Facebook post about him (see the comments for a cute video). Our hearts were overflowing from our visit and we love knowing that he has lots of new fun things to bring him joy during his treatment journey.
Meet Justin! Justin is 13 years old and loves basketball, gaming, and creating videos. He is also interested in a future of tech, software, and gaming. The social worker at the clinic told us “He was very quiet and did not make eye contact with anyone on our team until I spoke with him about Rachel's Hugs! He was so animated and excited when discussing his Hug.” Justin had wanted a very specific computer for a long time, so there was no doubt what he would request for his Hug. He was feeling under the weather the day that we met him to deliver his gifts, but the moment that he saw his brand new computer, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, his face broke into a smile and he said "I have wanted this for a really long time." Justin was looking forward to heading back to his Tacoma home to set it all up and we love knowing that he will have a wonderful distraction that will bring him lots of joy and perhaps lead him to a future career in technology!
Meet Dareion! Dareion is 12 years old and lives in University Place. His family says he is a happy guy who is always smiling despite his current medical journey. He enjoys spending time with his friends and his close knit family that includes two siblings. Dareion had really hoped for but didn’t get a new iPhone for Christmas. When he found out about the Rachel’s Hugs program, the decision about what to apply for was easy! He knew immediately that he would ask for that new iPhone. We were so glad to have the opportunity to meet him a few weeks ago at the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Oncology clinic to deliver his new latest model iPhone along with a case and a gift card for accessories or any other goodies that he would like. Despite feeling a little shy, Dareion couldn't hide his smile as he opened everything up, making us and the staff smile, too. As we looked around the clinic room, we all laughed as we realized that his mom, our team and the staff joining in the fun all had older model phones than he did. You can enjoy more images of his smile in the videos in the comment section on our Facebook post about Dareion. We love knowing that he will be able to keep in touch with friends and family and that he has a wonderful way to keep himself busy during his treatment.
Meet Justin T! We had to opportunity to meet 9 year old Justin at the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital oncology clinic a few weeks ago to deliver his Rachel's Hug. Justin is a shy, quiet young guy who loves soccer and playing video games. He also enjoys spending time with his 11 year old sister. Justin knew right away that he hoped his Hug could be a gaming computer with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse "to distract him from what he is going through" and we were happy to make that wish come true! Despite feeling shy with all the attention on delivery day, he couldn't stop his smile from shining through as he opened up each Hug package. If you check out the comments below our Facebook post about Justin, his quiet joy will warm your heart. Knowing that he has a great distraction during his treatment brings US a lot of joy and we love thinking about all of the games that he and his sister are playing together.
Meet Kendon! Kendon is an active 10-year-old who loves camping, going to the mountains and the lake, and riding bikes with friends. He also loves video games and enjoying movie nights with his family. Kendon had a very detailed Rachel's Hugs request that was fitting for all of his hobbies - a shopping spree to get a new bike and sports/camping gear plus an Oculus Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset! We were so excited to have the opportunity to meet Kendon and share in his excitement as he opened his gifts. Our Facebook post about Kendon shared several photos of the big day along with two wonderful videos in the comments under the post. He could not contain his excitement as he opened a package with gift cards for shopping at Amazon and then opened his brand new Oculus virtual reality headset, accessories, and Meta gift cards to purchase games! Not only did we get to watch as he stepped into the virtual reality world, which was pretty wild and hilarious, but we also got the biggest hugs from him which filled our hearts with joy. We love thinking about all of the games that he has been playing and know that choosing what to buy with his gift cards is also making him smile!
Meet Caleb! Caleb is 14 years old and enjoys playing games with his friends and spending time with his family and pets. When he heard about the Rachel’s Hugs program he immediately knew that he would love to ask for a brand new desktop computer complete with mouse, keyboard, and printer so that he would be set for online schooling, but also so that he could play computer games with his friends while relaxing at home. Our team picked out a great computer and printer that met all of his needs, and then added in a curved monitor and a color changing keyboard to really make a fun set up. When we met up with him a few weeks ago, Caleb had just returned home after a long stay in the hospital and was all smiles as he opened up all of the boxes with the help of his family. Our Facebook post about Caleb and the video in the comments really share the pure joy and excitement he experienced when opening his Hug packages. He got busy setting everything up right away while the team was still there and he was talking excitedly about which games he and his brother were going to play first! We love thinking about all of the fun times he is experiencing while gaming with his Rachel’s Hug - and even when he is doing school work!
Meet Vlad! Vlad is a sweet 9 year old boy who recently moved here from Ukraine with his family. When he was told about the Rachel's Hugs program, he knew right away that he wanted to ask for a Playstation 5 (PS5) and knew of several favorite games that he would love to have. We had the privilege of meeting Vlad and his mom right after Christmas to deliver his Hug and he had us all smiling from ear to ear from the moment that we met him. As he opened up his new PS5, accessories, requested games, gift card for more goodies, and his favorite candy (Snickers!), Vlad couldn't stop grinning and jumping around. Our Facebook post about Vlad has some great photos and you can see his excitement in the videos in the comments under the post. His mom shared that he has really been hoping for a PS5 for a while and our team could see that he was so ready to go home to Bonney Lake and play games with his brother! We loved seeing the joy that his Hug brought him and know that it will continue bringing him a lot of fun and keep him busy throughout treatment.
Gavin is an active 11-year-old who loves video games, sports, and going on family trips. When asked what he wanted to think about requesting for his Rachel’s Hug, he knew immediately that he would love a personal gaming computer so that he could play games with his siblings and friends at home in Puyallup and also use it for his online schooling this year during treatment. We put together a fun technology bundle created just for him and had the opportunity to meet Gavin and his family two days before Christmas. To say that he lit up the room with his smile is an understatement! Gavin could not stop grinning as he opened his new computer, keyboard, accessories and curved monitor. The comments in our Facebook post about Gavin share the videos that will surely let you in on the joy he couldn’t contain. We can just picture him having so much fun and love knowing that his computer will continue to bring him a lot of happiness and distraction.
Meet Jamar! Jamar is a sweet 5 year old who loves traveling with his family, going to the park, camping, watching movies, and cooking. When thinking about the ideal Rachel’s Hugs request, his mom knew that a new latest generation iPad would be perfect to replace his family's old version because it would be compatible with the games that he wants to play and it would provide a great distraction for him throughout his treatment. Two days before Christmas, we were able to meet up with Jamar and his family at the Mary Bridge oncology clinic to deliver his Hug. He made everyone in the room smile as he opened his new iPad and protective case along with his very own cooking kit filled with utensils, cookbooks, and more. We had learned that Jamar loves watching baking shows and creating foods out of Play-Doh and he let us know that he can now be a real cook because he has his very own kitchen set! He was so delighted with his Hug gifts and you can enjoy videos of him in the comments on our Facebook post about Jamar. We love knowing that Jamar has a great way to play his favorite games now and we enjoy thinking of all of the fun cooking that he was able to do over the holidays and will continue doing throughout the days ahead.
Meet Ajak! Ajak is a shy, resilient 9-year-old who recently moved here from Kenya to receive treatment at the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital hematology/oncology clinic. Despite such huge life changes, he has adapted very well and has found enjoyment in playing video games in the clinic and during admissions at the hospital. So, when thinking of the perfect Rachel’s Hug for him, his family knew that his very own Playstation 5 (PS5) would make a perfect gift! We were so excited to have a chance to meet up with Ajak and his dad right before Christmas. While Ajak didn't say very much during our visit, his smile revealed his excitement and pleasure as he opened up his very own PS5 gaming system, accessories, games (including his favorite game - FIFA!), cuddly stuffed animals, snacks, and a gift card for more goodies. The videos in the comments under our Facebook post about him are so cute and show just how excited he was to open his Hug packages. As our team left the clinic, Ajak was looking forward to heading back to his home in Tacoma and playing video games with his brothers during the holiday break. We love knowing that he will have lots of fun playing FIFA and other games throughout his treatment!
Meet Teigan! Teigan is 16 years old and enjoys singing in his school choir, playing video games, and heading outdoors to play disc golf. Prior to his cancer diagnosis he was on his high school varsity wrestling team in Puyallup. When Teigan found out about the Rachel’s Hugs program, he knew exactly what he wanted to request for his Hug: an Xbox Series X gaming system and a specific, curved gaming monitor to enhance his gaming experiences! We quickly got to work finding the popular Xbox Series X (a challenge, but we're becoming experts!) and we were so excited to meet up with him and his family right before Christmas to deliver his Hug. Teigan was all smiles as he opened up his Xbox, monitor, extra controller and gift cards for games. We loved capturing his joy on video which you can see in our Facebook post about Teigan. He was being admitted to the hospital the day we delivered his packages and had definite plans to take everything with him to the hospital so that he could play during treatment. We love knowing that he has a fun distraction that he can enjoy both at home and when admitted in the hospital!
Meet Kena'i! Kena'i is a super active, happy 4 year old who loves to play with his friends and brother. He also loves baseball, cars, and school! When thinking about a Rachel’s Hugs request that would be fun for Kena’i, his mom noted that he likes all things Spiderman and Hulk, would really enjoy a Nintendo Switch, and LOVES to open gifts! This made us smile and we got to work shopping and wrapping all of his Hug surprises. We were excited to have the chance to meet Kena'i right before the holidays, bringing boxes full of goodies including a new Nintendo Switch with games and accessories, lots of Spiderman-themed books and toys, gift cards for more games (or something else!) and cuddly stuffed animals. We also brought an extra surprise guest - Spiderman! We were so grateful to our Emerald City Avenger friend Myk who helped us to deliver this Hug. Kena'i felt a little shy, but he couldn't hide his smile despite trying very hard to avoid looking at Spiderman. You can see adorable videos in the comments on our Facebook post about Kena’i. He couldn't wait to go home after his appointment and tell his brother all about seeing Spiderman and play with his new games and toys. We are sure that he is having a great time and love thinking about the hours of fun that his Hug is bringing him. A huge thank you goes to Myk for making this day extra special. Not only did he spend lots of time with Kena'i, but he also stopped to say hi and take photos with several other patients (and staff) at Mary Bridge, including Rob, one of our past Rachel's Hugs recipients who happened to be at the clinic that day!
Meet Jocelyn! Jocelyn is 18 years old and loves soccer and drawing. She recently moved here from Mexico with her family and has been adapting to life in Tacoma while also coping with her recent diagnosis and treatment plan. When the Rachel’s Hugs program was explained to Jocelyn, she hoped we could gift her a PlayStation5 and VR (virtual reality) headset that she could enjoy with her younger sister. This request sounded like a lot of fun and we couldn't wait to find her exactly what she wanted! Right before Christmas, we were able to visit her in her hospital room at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital to deliver her Hug. For added fun, we were joined by several of our oncology clinic staff partners who wanted to enjoy this special delivery with us. Jocelyn enjoyed opening all of her gifts, including a new PS5 console, VR headset, PlayStation games, backpack, a gift card for more games/accessories, and lots of fun makeup thanks to Thrive Causemetics. She even joked that she was sweating from opening all of the boxes! You can enjoy more moments from this Hug in our Facebook post about Jocelyn (see comments for a fun video)! Her smiles brought joy to everyone in the room, including her translator, who also loved being a part of the delivery. We love thinking about all of the laughs and excitement that her Hug is bringing to her.
Meet Lola! Lola is 11 years old and enjoys horseback riding, coloring, paint by sticker books, and playing board games. She also loves playing video games with her younger brother and going on vacations to Texas, Idaho, Minnesota, Iowa, Hawaii, and Long Beach! When she was asked about what she might want to request in her Rachel’s Hugs application, Lola also knew exactly what she coveted: a very specific black and white Nintendo Switch gaming system, accessories, and her favorite games to play! We had no idea that the Switch came in different color options and couldn't wait to get her just what she wanted so that she could play games with her brother and her friends. The week before Christmas, we had the chance to meet Lola at the Mary Bridge oncology clinic and deliver her Hug. She was all smiles as she opened several packages that were filled with board games, art supplies, video games, stuffed animals, gift cards for more goodies, and of course the black and white Nintendo Switch with accessories. You can see more photos and videos of Lola in our recent Facebook post about her. You will find the videos in the comments. We love knowing that her Hug will bring her laughter and companionship with family and friends.
Meet Jack! Jack is 13 years old and enjoys hiking, kayaking, road trips with his family, and playing Minecraft with his older brother. When asked what he wanted to request for his Rachel’s Hug, he knew right away that he would love an Xbox Series X so that he and his brother Nate could play video games together even while Nate is away at college at the UW. We were so excited to receive his request, especially because we had just heard Jack speak as a patient ambassador at a recent Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital event, and at that time we turned to each other and said "he needs a Rachel's Hug!" A week later, his application showed up in our inboxes and made our day. We were so excited to meet Jack a few days before Christmas to deliver his new Xbox, along with an extra controller, Xbox Live and Game Pass gift cards for games and accessories, and a University of Washington blanket. We also included a gift card for Tacoma Boys Markets for ingredients for a favorite recipe since we learned that Jack is planning to be a chef (or a paleontologist) when he gets older. Jack was very excited to leave the clinic and get home so he could start playing games with his brother who was home for the holidays. We know that it will provide him with a great distraction and as you can see in the comments under our Facebook post about him, the blanket is well loved!
Stay tuned for more great stories about cancer-fighting kids and young adults and how we're bringing smiles to their faces through the Rachel's Hugs Program!