For Friends of Dana-Farber, Generosity Is 'in the Bag'
Once a month, Friends volunteers fill two carts with 250 brightly colored goodie bags and wheel the parcels of cheer through elevators and corridors to the Yawkey Center, where they deliver them to Dana-Farber patients receiving infusions.
Although the contents of the gift bags vary somewhat from month to month, a typical selection might include a puzzle book, a tin of hard candy, hand cream, chapstick, and a seasonal favor. The Friends fund the endeavor, and have for decades.
"This project helps us remember our mission — reaching out to our patients and their families," said Connie Lacaillade, a volunteer instrumental in the program for years. "We [the Friends] host many fundraisers throughout the year, but I feel it is the human contact with our patients that reminds us why we are all so committed to this important volunteer work in the first place."
The Friends gather quarterly at Dana-Farber to enjoy each other’s company and put together three months of bags at a time. Delivery times rotate in order to brighten the day for as many people as possible.
If you would like to be involved in this program, please contact the Friends: friends@dfci.harvard.edu or 617-632-3021.
