Beth Ann Fawcett of Energized by Ebony spoke to the Heritage Lions last night. She explained that she adopted 4 ½ year-old Ebony after her cancer had gone into remission. But the cancer returned about a year later, and Ms. Fawcett cared for Ebony until she passed away at age 9. Ebony had a delightful spirit, uplifting everyone around her at home and in the hospital. Whoever was blessed to have met Ebony never forgot her. She brightened every person’s day, even as she suffered through the chemotherapy treatments and the pain of cancer. It was Ebony’s idea to provide children who have cancer with a bag filled with games, small Lego sets, dominoes and other activities, asking her mom to give the bags to “kids like her”. Ebony especially liked to blow bubbles at the hospital, so Beth Ann always puts a bubble bottle in each bag.
Ms. Fawcett has been actively assembling and donating these bags for about 10 years. To date, Energized by Ebony has distributed over 5,800 bags. Beth Ann’s mother, Linda, sews the bags using whatever kid-friendly cloth patterns they can find on sale. Beth Ann acquires all the items through donations, and they are 100% donation-based. Both women are “bargain hunters”, looking for sales on the many items they include in the bags, such as crayons, books, and small toys. The boys especially like Matchbox cars. Each month Energized by Ebony delivers 60 cloth bags full of these items, 30 for girls and 30 for boys, to Lutheran Hospital for distribution.
All materials are stored in Beth Ann’s house and garage. She occasionally has volunteers from churches and schools help with some tasks, but Beth Ann assembles each bag herself to prevent germs from reaching the immuno-compromised kids. Once the cloth bag is emptied, the child can use it as a catheter bag on their wheelchair. Beth Ann has demonstrated that we can turn tragedy into triumph through persistence, compassion, and love. Her enthusiasm was very evident and she seems to have been truly Energized by Ebony. Visit the website for more information: http://www.energizedbyebony.com/index.html
