Packages of hope

08/16/2025

These legos were sent to St. Jude in honor of Howie

08/16/2025

14 years ago, at eighteen I decided to start this page to help spread awareness for childhood cancer and hopefully send a bit of joy to kids fighting big battles. On this day 14 years ago, I never could have pictured how that decision would impact my life. I am forever grateful for the experiences I have had and the friendships I have made because of that choice. Through Packages of Hope, I have met the most amazing, brave, courageous, wise, and kind kids that have taught me so much. They taught me to keep going and appreciate every moment. I will always be thankful for the families that have allowed me to see a glimpse of their journey. Every child I have met and sent to has left a lasting impression and pushes me to continue to spread awareness. “Our lives are fashioned by our choices. First, we make our choices. Then our choices make us.”

05/09/2025

I know I have been MIA from this page dealing with my health and grief but I will slowly start to get back to sending packages. For my first package I will be sending a box of legos in memory of a little boy named Howie. In honor of Howie's birthday this month I have set a goal to send at least 14 lego sets to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Howie fought stage 4 Neuroblastoma cancer and would be turning 14 this month. Howie is forever 3 years old. He was one of the sweetest, bravest, and kind little boys I have met. So in his memory I would love to help other children have a little joy. I need to collect 9 more sets. Every set on my wishlist is under $10 but if you are unable to make a purchase please share with your friends.

02/21/2024

Brielle just turned 8 years old February 1st and is starting her second fight with a form of cancer called Neuroblastoma after being off treatment for 20 months. I am selling wristbands with all proceeds going to the Bird family. Wristbands are $6 with $5 going to the Bird family and $1 for shipping expenses. I am excepting Venmo, cash app, and PayPal. If you need to pay with a check or cash you can mail to Box 11309 Yakima, Wa 98909. Wristbands are blue, pink, and purple with one side saying We Fight and the other side . You can email at [email protected] or send a message to say how many wristbands you would like. All payment information can be found at https://linktr.ee/briewristbands

01/05/2024

I wanted to give an update. I originally took a break to finish my Masters degree. I did indeed finish my Masters in Social Work in August. Unfortunately, my family experienced an unexpected loss right before Halloween and as I have been grieving I took some time off from sending packages. I will resume this year with packages slowly, and reply to messages along with emails as soon as I can. I will probably only be sending a couple of packages here and there. I hope everyone had an amazing holiday season.

08/28/2023

I don't normally share things about myself on here but thought I would talk about something that I worked hard to accomplish. This month I officially completed my Masters in Social Work graduating with a 4.0 and being awarded a degree with distinction. Graduation takes place in December when I will be able to walk across the stage to celebrate my accomplishment. I will be traveling to Arizona and I am excited to see the campus. I created a wishlist of gift cards to use on my trip. Thank you everyone for all of your support throughout the years.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2BSHX611QUJH?ref_=wl_share

06/17/2023

If you are able to please donate to this family. If you are unable to share and pray. This family has been through so much. They lost their daughter Ellie to brain cancer and now Ellie's Dad Kyle is receiving treatment for bladder cancer and on top of all of that had a heart attack a couple of days ago. They could really use all of your support and love.

Kyle just headed down to the cath lab. They confirmed he had a heart attack after watching his cardiac enzymes (troponin levels) and watching them raise significantly over the last 24-36 hours.

He is currently having an angiogram, they will place a catheter in through an artery in his arm and view his heart, arteries, and the vessels. The doctor is expecting to place at least one stint, but it all depends what they see when they are in there. He may need more than one stint. At this point a stint is the best case scenario, the stint basically widens the artery and allows blood to flow better through it. If he needs something more invasive like a full bypass, they will close him up and send him to Tacoma general hospital for surgery (he is at auburn medical center right now). He should be away from me for about 1-3 hours. I can’t wait to hug him again. He gives the best hugs, bear hugs! Many have asked why this happened, we have heard all the reasons, his cancer treatment, stress, diet, his diabetes, at this point we don’t have any definitive answers.

He is put to sleep for this, and shouldn’t feel any pain. Please pray this is an easy fix, with no side effects or problems!!

Thank you all for donating and helping us during this time, you all have taken a huge burden off our shoulders and we are so so thankful!! Blessed to have such an amazing village behind us! Also to those bringing coffee, watching my babies, and helping in so many ways, I’m eternally grateful!

Venmo: sarahwalton22
PayPal: [email protected]

Gofundme link is below

https://www.gofundme.com/f/family-hit-hard-with-cancer-twice?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&fbclid=PAAaYgeEREhe_QPR0Gt3keEA8JEfFQOjqoJNS4iPZRnmhCJtjs9Vg_2t548Fs_aem_th_AcQR6dEOHPA_uRFD00eALQhfR897kwt2JSkJlnxM6hkX3aGm_VnKEdpJCAG5KdmGyzI&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

05/25/2023

Kensley

05/25/2023

Fynn

05/25/2023

04/17/2023

I am in the final week and a half of a class where I needed to choose a population to develop a support group. I have about three months left of my Master's in Social Work. I normally focus on the child diagnosed but decided to pick siblings of pediatric cancer patients this time. I am creating my final presentation and would like some graphics and came up with the idea of having words that describe their experience. If any of you would be willing to share a word or a few words that describe how childhood cancer has affected your other children. The effect of cancer on the siblings. Thank you in advance if you share anything.

04/08/2023

Sorry for the lack of posts. I am a semester away from finishing my Masters in Social Work, so that is taking up a lot of my time and focus. I will be able to focus more on Packages of Hope after that is complete. In the meantime, I will send packages when I am able to. A little life update. I just turned 30 which is hard to believe. I started this page when I was 18 and 12 years later I have been able to meet and send to the most amazing children. I have made friendships I would not trade for the world. I have learned and grown because I took a chance. I would tell anyone if they want something or have a dream take the time to reach them because you never know how your life will turn out if you take a chance on what you are most passionate about.