Cinderella Society

Cinderella Society Is Now In 4 States!

Our Mission Statement

The Cinderella Society is a non-profit organization designed to nurture pediatric cancer patients with love, friendship, attention and understanding. We believe that every child deserves to feel accepted and cherished. It is our sincere desire to cast away the cares of the day by promoting self confidence, bravery, a sense of belonging and a positive self image.

"A SMILE WILL CURE A BAD DAY"

Haley Falls, Faith Bates and Ashley Falls display "Caps for Cancer" collected at McLean 6th Grade School. Photo by Picture People

Cinderella Society sponsors Caps for Cancer hat drives at local businesses, churchs, clubs and schools. Cards for Cancer is another program. It is children making cards for children and caring for peers. We collect donated prom dresses for the Cooks Children Medical Center Prom held in the Spring, and we participate in parties hosted by Queen For A Day in the pediatric cancer units. We donate and encourage others to donate hair to Locks of Love for children's wigs. We are always looking for new ideas and ways to show love to these children. "A Smile Will Cure A Bad Day"

WITH HEARTFELT THANKS!
TO COLEMONT INSURANCE BROKERS
FOR THEIR "CAPS FOR CANCER" DONATION

Read the story in the Herald-Banner on December 30, 2007
about the Caps for Cancer dontation to The Cinderella Society.
Click on this link

http://www.heraldbanner.com/features/local_story_364012255.html?keyword=secondarystory

Miss Hunt County 2008 Faith Bates, right, is presented with a wreath representing some of the 300 caps from Colemont Insurance Broker Company representative Bobbie Crowder. The Dallas-based brokerage made the presentation to Bates on behalf of her pediatric cancer awareness organization she founded. Photo credit to Warren Morrison, Herald Banner Staff Reporter

~ UPCOMING EVENTS~

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PROM NIGHT MAY 3, 2008
Cook Childrens Medical Center Prom will be held at the Fort Worth Hospital
Saturday Night May 3rd.
If you would like to donate your gently used prom dresses or bridesmaid dresses for the Cook Childrens Medical Center Prom, please contact us for pick up arrangements.

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If you are interested in sponsoring a Caps For Cancer Drive or hosting a Cards For Cancer project, please contact us for scheduling. We would be happy to come speak with your group about Pediatric Cancer and how you can help, because "A Smile Will Cure A Bad Day"
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**SPECIAL NOTE ~ PLEASE READ**

Hi All!
Below is an email that was forwarded by my brother. Teri is his friend's daughter. If any of you can help, please do. Go to www.helpteri.org Any donation you can make could help change this family's life.

Thank you,
Stayc Velarde
www.queenforadaydallas.us

Aaron Rivera

1986-2004

Inspiration to all, Hero to many, gifted entertainer and our friend

*This is a tribute to our precious friend who was the inspiration for the Cinderella Society*

Posted on Fri, Jan. 16, 2004 in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Teen defied cancer daily to embrace life

By Bob Ray Sanders * Star-Telegram Staff Writer

All good gifts around us
Are sent from heaven above.
Then thank the Lord,
O, thank the lord
For all his love.
-- All Good Gifts from Godspell
Before he was 3 months old, Aaron Rivera had lost an eye to cancer. At ages 9 and 15, he came close to losing a leg to the dreaded disease that was a continuous intrusion in his young life.
Losing a leg, or even taking treatments that would have resulted in one leg being shorter than the other, would have been devastating to the young actor, dancer and singer who was an inspiring staple in The Touring Company of Kids Who Care.
Early Tuesday morning, at age 18, Aaron died after an eighth cancer invaded his brain and spine.
But don't dare say Aaron "lost a battle" to cancer.
"He did not lose this battle," said his mother, Mary Jane Garcia. "I call it a victory."
Aaron was never a guy to give up, especially after falling in love with the theater more than 10 years ago.
For years, "he defied all odds," said Deborah Jung, executive director of Kids Who Care, a theater group with the goals of outreach, education and quality performance designed to "enhance self-esteem, build character, encourage acceptance and promote service through leadership experience and spirit of cooperation."
When he auditioned for his first performance with the group, Aaron was in a wheelchair, Jung recalled.
"He was an incredible dancer -- an amazing dancer," she said, adding that Aaron started as an actor, became a great dancer and then developed into a "beautiful singer."
When Jung arrived at Aaron's hospital room early Tuesday morning, the soundtrack of Godspell was playing, including the song that Aaron had sung as a solo -- All Good Gifts -- in the Kids Who Care production.
To his immediate family, the family at Cook Children's Medical Center and his theater family, Aaron was one of those "good gifts" from God.
Once before when he was in the hospital, his mother said he awoke singing that song, reminding her that when he first saw the script of Godspell, he knew he would be singing it in the show.
"He always talked about angels coming to get him, and they would be singing with him," his mom said.
When he was getting radiation to the brain, she said, it was difficult for Aaron to remember the words, but he was still singing.
So it seemed appropriate that, on the morning he was dying, Godspell should be playing, including the upbeat tune Day by Day.
Aaron lived his life to the fullest day by day without thinking about dying.
"Six months after finding cancer in his knee, he opened for us in Joseph's Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," Jung said.
And six weeks after his brain surgery this past October, he was back on stage.
While there may have been doubt in some people's minds that Aaron would reach college age, last fall he enrolled at Tarrant County College, returning from registration to tell his mother that he had signed up for classes in "dance, dance, dance."
There is no doubt that the strength and love of his mother -- a single mom raising two talented children, including an older daughter in college -- had a lot to do with his courage and zest for life.
But Garcia plays down her role.
"When I had Aaron I was 23," she said. "I was weak and meek, and he taught me to be strong."
Talking about how she made it through all of those tough years with a son battling cancer after cancer, she said, "You know, it has not been me. It was just watching Aaron's love for life, and how much he wanted to live."
Pausing briefly, she added, "And he will. He will live on."
Because he was a symbol of Kids Who Care, a success story for the doctors at Cook's and a spokesman for the Children's Television Network, Aaron had a chance to meet a lot of famous people.
He rubbed shoulders with comedian Paul Rodriguez and former Texas Rangers All-Star catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. While in the hospital, Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) called to check on him, as did Mayor Mike Moncrief and Rep. Kay Granger.
Because of what theater did for him, Aaron always wanted other kids with cancer and other illnesses to be able to perform.
With that wish in mind, a scholarship program is being set up in his name. To contribute, make checks to The Aaron Rivera Fund in care of Kids Who Care, and send to: Kids Who Care, 1300 Gendy St., Fort Worth, TX 76107.
A memorial for Aaron -- "a real celebration" -- will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Arlington Heights United Methodist Church.
If you can't be there, you might want to pause for a moment to thank God for the incredible gift that was Aaron Rivera.

In remembrance of Aaron...

"Aaron was such a good friend to everyone that knew him. He was a great friend to me. He really taught me to live each day as if it might be my last, and treated every moment and every person preciously. I performed with Aaron in Kids Who Care for 2 years, and attended school with him at the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts.  Aaron was very gifted and talented, however I must tell you that it was his positive attitude, encouragement to others and his absolute love of life that was the biggest inspiration to me (not to mention the fantastic shoulder massages he would give everyone after a grueling performance!) I miss my friend, but I will always know the value of life that he instilled in me. It is my intent to share that with others through the Cinderella Society that he inspired. I love you Aaron!"   Faith Bates

"I remember our performances with the Texas Boys Choir, like the time when we were on the Fox Morning News Program for the anniversary of 9/11. It was around 5:30 AM. Aaron was the one that got everyone awake, kept pumping us up, made everyone laugh and start the day off right! He was always the biggest encourager. He loved to dance and sing! He made a fantastic pirate in the Kids Who Care production of Peter Pan. He performed every time like it might be his last performance, and gave it his all! Everyone loved Aaron! He was so cool!"  Danny B

"Aaron had the ability to create, dream, perform and share with his peers like no other teenager I have ever seen. He was a friend to everybody. No one disliked Aaron. His excitement was contagious and an inspiration to all."  Jay J

"I loved Aaron. He always made everyone else feel special. He knew what was important in life, and it was living it!" Kendall P

"I never saw Aaron mope around, even when he wasn't feeling good. He was always trying to laugh." Angela C

"An absolute angel on earth!" Jerry B

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If you have a memory or photo of Aaron you would like to share on this board, please email it to cinderellasoc@aol.com

Please be aware of Aaron�s scholarship fund for kids in situations similar to his own, who have an interest in the performing arts. Aaron felt strongly that everyone should have the chance to pursue their dreams. The fund is in care of Kids Who Care www.kidswhocare.org Please visit the Kids Who Care website and think of Aaron.

Any assistance with Aaron's scholarship fund would be greatly appreciated by Aaron and those of us who love him.

CINDERELLA SOCIETY SLIDE SHOW

We strongly encourage and participate in:

Queen For A Day (An organization we immulate and attempt to compliment, designed to raise self esteem and courage of the pediatric cancer patient. It gave us the experience and the idea) www.queenforadaydallas.us
Locks of Love (An organization providing hairpieces made from donated hair for financially disabled children up to 18 yrs suffering from medical hair loss) www.locksoflove.org
Caps for Cancer (A hat drive sponsored by schools, churches, etc to collect hats for the pediatric cancer patients). We have just connected with Kendra Carlson in Bentonville, Arkansas who knits hats for cancer patients and sends them all over the world. Details on the Caps and Cards page.....
Cards for Cancer (A hosted event to make get well cards for the patients)
Raising Public Awareness by speaking to schools, civic and church communities about Pediatric Cancer and volunteer opportunities
Give Kids The World (A resort that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. Wish-granting organizations coordinate transportation to Orlando, while Give Kids The World provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, attractions tickets, and meals for a week-long fantasy vacation) www.gktw.org
Make A Wish Foundation (An organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy) www.wish.org
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (An organization providing support, education and advocacy for children and adolescents with cancer, survivors of childhood/adolescent cancer, their families and the professionals who care for them www.candlelighters.org