One Way Every Day: January 5

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

January 5 - Caps for Kids

Sometimes, hope comes from the simplest of things, such as a ball cap. Sounds strange at first – the idea that a cap can give a child the hope and strength they need to fight cancer. But when that cap comes from one of their heroes, they realize that they are no longer alone in their fight.

Caps for Kids is an international 501(c)3 non profit organization with programs in more than 100 hospitals scattered throughout the United States and Canada. We are dedicated to giving caps signed by athletes, entertainers and other notable celebrities to children who are pediatric cancer patients.

To a child who has lost their hair due to the chemotherapy treatments, the caps help them establish a special bond with their caregiver/physician and their celebrity hero. We have found that many of the children garner strength from the autographed caps, and they feel as though their celebrity hero is right there with them fighting the battle against their illness.

Caps For Kids was founded in 1993 by Dr. Stephen Heinrich, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana and a clinical professor at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Heinrich was treating a young man with cancer, who was also an avid Auburn University fan. He gave his patient a hat autographed by Auburn University football coach Terry Bowden and his father, Florida State University football coach, Bobby Bowden. When Dr. Heinrich realized how happy a simple hat could make someone suffering from a life-threatening disease, he organized Caps For Kids to improve the spirits of young cancer patients nationwide.

Dr. Heinrich began to garner autographed hats and scarves from notable personalities to be given to the children with cancer that he treated. Publicity opened new avenues for acquiring hats and soliciting signatures. Dr. Heinrich was soon able to expand the program so that all children receiving chemotherapy for cancer at Childrens Hospital in New Orleans could participate.

Today, Caps For Kids exists at more than 100 hospitals in the United States and Canada.

Get Involved:

Donate to Caps for Kids.

Find a Caps for Kids chapter near you.

Register your school or workplace to host your own HAT DAY!