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Spreading Sunshine.
Inspiring Joy.
#EmmettStrong
Our Mission: to empower families facing the devastating impact of childhood cancer and other severe medical hardships in North-Central Wisconsin by providing support, sharing joy, and creating sunshine moments during their journey.
The Emmett Strong Sunshine Foundation was created by Emmett's parents Claire and Ben Heindel. After their son Emmett was diagnosed with Leukemia in April of 2023, the family was supported by the amazing generosity of their community, family, and friends. Now, it's their turn to give back.
Sunshine is a metaphor for spreading good. Sunshine was originally used to describe how chemotherapy was breaking up 'cancer clouds' to help our three year old daughter understand what was happening to her younger brother. Sunshine has now become the core tenant of our mission.
How we spread 'sunshine'
The Emmett Strong Foundation has a few ways we spread sunshine. However, anyone can do it, at any time. It's as simple as paying for a strangers coffee, being a good friend, or helping others around you smile.
Sunshine Baskets
Donation of Sunshine through the gift of a physical basket containing items to make a hospital stay a little brighter
Small Donations + Acts of Kindness
Spreading Sunshine can be as simple as a small gift of a Starbucks or DoorDash Gift Card
Blood Drives
Emmett's leukemia required a number of blood transfusions. We spread sunshine by donating blood.