SAN ANTONIO – The diagnosis of a serious illness such as cancer or a blood disorder can be scary for an adult, let alone a young child.
One San Antonio organization is working to help ease the pain by bringing a little more cheer to hospital rooms.
While you don't really expect to see kids riding little toy scooters around hospital hallways, it’s an everyday scene at University Hospital.
"Sometimes it’s just that little toy, that little bag of goodies that helps make the day a little brighter," said Lenzie Davis of Jaxon’s F.R.O.G. Foundation.
That was definitely the case for 11-year-old Zachary, who was all smiles.
"He got sick a little before he was seven, so we’ve been coming for a while but everyone is great. He comes but he still has fun, I mean it’s not like he's at the hospital," said Zachary’s mother Michelle Hernandez, "To see him happy makes me happy. If he's not going through any pain than I’m good."
That’s all thanks to Jaxon's F.R.O.G. Foundation, which was created to carry on the mission of Davis's son, who died of brain cancer in 2012.
"Jaxon, the whole time he was sick, loved -- even at the young age of 4 and 5 -- he loved to help other kids and do stuff for the other kids. That was always his focus," said Davis.
The nonprofit organization brings gifts and toys to children with cancer and blood disorders, or are in hospice care.
Even the smallest donation makes the biggest difference. For example, $10 goes toward buying three pillowcases for kids undergoing chemotherapy, small toys to fill the capsule machine for 30 kids, or two stuffed animals which can be snuggle buddies for children in hospice care.
"We just want to be here to help and brighten the days for these kids. They have some dark days ahead and we just want the families to ease their day a little and spread a little sunshine and love. We just want to do that," explained Davis.
Jaxon's F.R.O.G. is hoping to raise money during The Big Give SA, a 24-hour giving period during which the public is encouraged to donate to nonprofit organizations. This year's event begins at midnight Tuesday, May 3 and runs throughout the day until midnight Wednesday.
Click here for more information on the event and to see a list of organizations.