|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
UD's Meissner boosts Cool Kids Campaign
9:59 a.m., June 22, 2006--World champion Kimmie Meissner of the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club has announced that she will serve as the official ambassador for the Cool Kids Campaign sponsored by the Belanger-Federico-Pitterich Foundation to raise money to support pediatric oncology patients at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical Center. The mission of the Cool Kids Campaign is to provide pediatric oncology patients a higher quality of life for themselves and their families while facing the challenges of cancer. To raise funds for the campaign, Meissner has launched the sale of her personally designed Triumph bracelets. Money raised through the campaign and the sale of Triumph bracelets will provide financial help for families, family outings to local attractions, special events brought to the hospitals, celebrations for children coming off chemotherapy, and toys. A primary goal of the campaign is to brighten the lives of these children who are otherwise dealing with pain and sadness on a daily basis. "I am honored to be part of such a worthy foundation, particularly the Cool Kids Campaign, and feel that it will be a positive outlet for the kids at Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland hospitals as they cope with the difficulties of a cancer diagnosis,” Meissner said. “I hope to bring smiles to their faces and to provide activities and events that they can enjoy with their friends and family.” The Triumph bracelets are being sold for $2 at Subway restaurants throughout Maryland. Purchases of 10 or more bracelets can be made on the Belanger-Federico-Pitterich Foundation web site [www.bfpf.org]. Meissner said her decision to work with the Cool Kids Campaign stems from the loss of two friends to cancer. She expects to take on a hands-on role with the campaign by spending time with the patients and hosting skating parties. Meissner, 16, won the International Skating Union world championship in March in Calgary, weeks after her first trip to the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, as a member of the United States Olympic Team. She is a member of the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club and trains under coach Pam Gregory in UD's Ice Skating Science Development Center. Photo by Mitch Stringer |
|
|
