A local organization sends love to hospital-bound children on Valentine’s Day.
It’s more than just a teddy bear.
A trip to the hospital can be frightening for anyone. But for children, it can feel especially lonely.
This was the motivation behind UR My Valentine from U CAN-CER VIVE, the local organization founded by siblings Kelley and Ryan LaFontaine of the LaFontaine Automotive Group.
Days before Valentine’s Day, a well-wishing U CAN-CER VIVE team made a delivery of teddy bears to McLaren Clarkston to send their love to the kids spending the holiday in the hospital.
“Our UR My Valentine is one of our favorite and most heartfelt initiatives we do with U CAN-CER VIVE,” said U CAN-CER VIVE co-founder Kelley LaFontaine. “This is so much more than just a teddy bear — the smiles and encouragement they deliver to the brave individuals fearlessly battling cancer truly warms our hearts. We are excited to partner with the amazing team at McLaren Health and from the bottom of our hearts, we hope this brightens and lifts the spirits of their patients.”
While the group always enjoyed and preferred delivering the stuffed bears to the patients themselves, COVID-19 wouldn’t stop them from delivering on the promise of spreading love and smiles.
“The sincerity of the LaFontaines and everyone at U CAN-CER VIVE is truly incredible, and the lengths they go to for these children is inspiring,” said Margaret Dimond, PhD., president and CEO of McLaren Oakland. “The effort they demonstrated to put smiles on children’s faces this Valentine’s Day, to let them know someone is thinking of them, is genuinely heartwarming.”
Previously, the LaFontaine Auto Group generously donated a van to the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Clarkston to be used to transport active cancer patients to and from their potentially lifesaving treatments.
Learn more about supporting patient care at McLaren Oakland and McLaren Clarkston at mclaren.org/oaklandfoundation.