There’s nothing like getting lost in a good book. Under normal circumstances, books can offer a welcome break from reality, but when life throws an unexpected curveball like a cancer diagnosis, books become so much more. Books can become a lifeline, a comfort, and a much-needed escape–especially for children with cancer.
Realizing this, East Cobb resident, Fay Morris, has planned a unique fundraiser for cancer patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She and her husband have purchased 300 copies of the children’s book, Poodle on a Noodle by her friend, Laura Fritz. Poodle on a Noodle is a story about the adventures of a dog who gets sick and has to be treated including getting his hair cut. Here’s an excerpt from the book:“Most often we are healthy but sometimes we get sick.When we are feeling really bad and things just don’t get better, we go to the doctor to learn what is the matter. The doctor is here to help us not hurt us, but sometimes needles sting.If you close your eyes and think of ice cream, you may not feel a thing.”
The author Laura Fritz had breast cancer sever al years ago. She adopted a dog, Casey, to help make her recovery better and to make her get out and exercise more. She began taking Casey to hang out at Lake Allatoona. Casey would stop swimming and just hang out when she would put him on a noodle. People would say “Oh, look! A poodle on a noodle.” She began posting pictures of her pet on her cubicle at work. One day her boss told her the pictures were perfect for a children’s book. Thus began Laura’s journey to write a children’s book.
Poodle on a Noodle tells stories and has pic tures of the adventures of Casey including a birth day party, a motorcycle ride, and a day at the beach. As a cancer survivor, Laura wanted the book to have a positive message for young cancer patients. The book shows children that even little poodles lose their hair and curls and sometimes need medical care.
Fay explains how her fundraiser came to be, “While Laura was telling me her story of how she wrote Poodle on a Noodle, my retired teacher head was thinking what a great book for children who are suffering cancer treatments. The author, Laura, shared that she just wished she could get the book in the hands of children with cancer. She already donates portions of the proceeds to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. My brain kicked in and I said that this book would be in the hands of parents and children with cancer. I committed to Laura that Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta would have this book in every child’s hospital room. Laura contacted Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and she was told that 300 books would be welcomed.” So, that became the goal: to have a Poodle on the Noodle book be placed in each cancer patient’s room at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
This fundraiser is asking friends and local resi dents to purchase one or more books. Each book is $10. Once purchased, donors can sign the inside cover. Fay says she has extra copies if someone wants to purchase one for a child or grandchild.
“Once we raise enough to cover 300 books for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, we will donate to Children’s Cancer Center which is a support organization that provides programs to families that have a child diagnosed with cancer,” states Ms. Morris.
The fundraiser is scheduled for July 23, 2-6pm, at Fay Morris’s house at 702 Woodmont Drive, Marietta/East Cobb 30062. The author, Laura Fritz, will also be in attendance at the fundraiser.
For more information about this special book, you can go to www.poodleonanoodle.com. For more details about the fundraiser, contact Fay Morris at 770-712-4282 or Fay99morris@gmail.com.
