Kristen RemingtonChannel 2 News
Our story begins at the Pediatric Oncology Unit at Renown Regional Medial Center, where we found two young girls that know the hospital well. Emma Geiselman is fighting Leukemia. She is five years old now and has undergone chemotherapy for nearly two years. On the other side of the room, Andrea Riggio receives monthly infusions, because she is fighting an immune inflammatory disorder that affects her ability to walk.
Although the remodeled unit is bright, colorful and full of sunshine, it can still be a dark place for any child. Some community heroes are working to change that, however.
This morning, a Reno firefighter named Rosa walked in with a basket full of goodies for the girls. Emma pulled out a soft little teddy bear. "Aww, did you say thank you?" asked her mother. "Thank you," she replied. This small gift just might be the highlight of Emma's day. She says this bear, along with another she received at Oakland Children's Hospital, will help her during treatment. "The bear helps me to hold still and keep me quiet."
Andrea took no time making her selection. "An art set... because I like to draw," she explained. The hope is these gifts will help treatment go by much more quickly.
That is the goal of these toys, according to the firefighters who work tirelessly to collect them. "It's tough to explain to a four-year-old to lie still for six hours after they get an injection." Sparks Firefighter, Jarrod Stewart is part of the Northern Nevada Firefighters Random Acts of Kindness program. They created a mobile toy store, not only for kids fighting cancer, but for any child in need. They often have them ready for kids who lose everything to house fires or disasters, as well.
The supply is off to a healthy start, largely thanks to two teachers -- who, after hearing about the idea, pitched in -- in a big way. "We have over 180 stuffed animals for children that are new and about 100-150 books." Sandra Conway and Pam King work at Sierra Vista Elementary School. Over the years, they have collected a surplus of toys and books and now they are giving them all away. "So they can be in the arms of children and being loved where they should be and the books being read."
Area firefighters will be sure to get them to the right place and they say, "thank you" just isn't enough. "What else can you say? There's no way to explain how great it is to see a little kid smile when they're not feeling good." Emma and Andrea are proof of that.
The Northern Nevada Firefighters "Random Acts of Kindness" program is always accepting new toys for these kids; anything that might provide them comfort in the hospital. If you would like to make a donation, contact Jarrod Stewart at jstewart@sparksfirefighters.com.
