Local woman helping sick kids feel like princesses
BONNEY LAKE, Wash. -- A Bonney Lake woman has found a unique way to help sick children forget they're fighting for their lives, but she could use some help.
In a home office turned tutu workshop, Janay Conner is running out of time. She has until Thursday to reach her goal of $1,000 to buy and donate tutus to kids fighting cancer and other diseases at Mary Bridge Hospital.
Conner knows what it's like for a child to fight cancer, and she knows what makes them forget, even for just a minute.
In 2008, Conner's 1 1/2-year old niece, Nadine, was diagnosed with leukemia. A month later, a second niece, 2 year-old Casey, was also diagnosed with leukemia.
"The doctors were like, they've never seen that before," Conner said.
After 152 weeks of chemo and radiation, both girls went into remission. But nearly a year later, Nadine's cancer came back.
"Last year, January 24, 2012, she passed away," Conner said. "So this tutu drop off is going to be in her honor."
Conner said the tutus are in memory of Nadine, but were inspired by Casey.
"On top of losing her hair, she looked very bloated and I said, 'Look Casey girl, look at the pretty girl in the mirror,' and she said, 'No, Nana, I'm not pretty any more,'" Conner said.
It was that conversation that inspired Conner to create her tutu workshop. The girls wore handmade tutus over their hospital gowns for every appointment, and each became a princess rather than a sick kid.
"Just be a kid, and not a kid fighting for their life," Conner said.
Conner is just $140 away from her goal of $1,000. She has nearly 300 tutus and fairy wings, as well as superhero capes for the boys.
If you'd like to donate to the cause, you can do so here.
In a home office turned tutu workshop, Janay Conner is running out of time. She has until Thursday to reach her goal of $1,000 to buy and donate tutus to kids fighting cancer and other diseases at Mary Bridge Hospital.
Conner knows what it's like for a child to fight cancer, and she knows what makes them forget, even for just a minute.
In 2008, Conner's 1 1/2-year old niece, Nadine, was diagnosed with leukemia. A month later, a second niece, 2 year-old Casey, was also diagnosed with leukemia.
"The doctors were like, they've never seen that before," Conner said.
After 152 weeks of chemo and radiation, both girls went into remission. But nearly a year later, Nadine's cancer came back.
"Last year, January 24, 2012, she passed away," Conner said. "So this tutu drop off is going to be in her honor."
Conner said the tutus are in memory of Nadine, but were inspired by Casey.
"On top of losing her hair, she looked very bloated and I said, 'Look Casey girl, look at the pretty girl in the mirror,' and she said, 'No, Nana, I'm not pretty any more,'" Conner said.
It was that conversation that inspired Conner to create her tutu workshop. The girls wore handmade tutus over their hospital gowns for every appointment, and each became a princess rather than a sick kid.
"Just be a kid, and not a kid fighting for their life," Conner said.
Conner is just $140 away from her goal of $1,000. She has nearly 300 tutus and fairy wings, as well as superhero capes for the boys.
If you'd like to donate to the cause, you can do so here.
What a fantastic idea! I had tears in my eyes reading this and applaud you for being positive and proactive in the face of such tragedy.
Kids have too much fantasy in their lives - they need realism to know what they are up against. A prince will not come along and rescue them from needing an education.
@contraryjim Seriously? To add a little fun to the life of a child who knows they could be dying is a bad thing? You need to educate yourself a bit..... in a nutshell, when a person is fighting cancer, a positive state of mind and good support network increases their chances of survival considerably.
@contraryjim It's times like this when I really miss that dislike button....
 @contraryjim These kids are far more educated than you will ever be. Education isn't about how many letters you have after your name (I have many) it's about being worldly. These kids know more about life and death than most adults do. If, for just a while, someone can forget they have cancer then that makes it worthwhile.Â
 @contraryjim "A prince will not come along and rescue them from needing an education." Did you even read the article? She's giving basically dress-up clothes to sick boys and girls in the hospital. Often these kids are fighting for their lives and know exactly what they are up against. This has nothing to do with "needing an education,' unless you are referring to yourself.
 @contraryjimI'm pretty sure these kids are well aware of "what they are up against". Certainly more than YOU. Do you know what chemo treatments do to a person? Here let me help. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/coping/chemo-side-effects If giving kids just 10 minutes of "fantasy" to take their minds off the awful reality they have in front of them then I'm all for it. I really hope (for your sake) you're just a troll.
 @contraryjim:Â
WOW. Really?
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You have probably never had a child in your life who was facing a health crisis such as these kids do. Trust me, they have MORE than aenough "reality" and they know exactly what they are up against.
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To give them even just a little bit of fun & make believe at such a horrible time gives them a bit of relief, a little bit of control. Why would you be so begative about this?
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Try spending time with some children with cancer, children who know they could very well die and/or are dying. Perhaps you will become a bit more caring, a bit more understanding. a bit more human.
This is Janay, If you would like to check out the event page that has pictures and other ways to donate its: http://www.facebook.com/events/272679292858410/Â Thank you so much for helping by donating I really appreciate it! If you have any other questions please feel free to email me at Sugarskullsandcupcake@live.com or to donate through paypal to email SSCDonation@yahoo.com.
 @SugarSkullsandCupcakes I will be happy to spread the word on all of my social networking sites!Â
@Northend @SugarSkullsandCupcakes THERE IS ALREADY A LINK IN THE ARTICLE FOR DONATIONS. WE DON'T KNOW IF THIS LINK BY SUGAR SKULLS AND CUPCAKES IS FOR REAL OR A SCAM. I WOULD HIGHLY SUGGEST THAT ANY DONATIONS BE MADE DIRECTLY THROUGH KOMO.
@The WA Mama - Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I believe me I have seen way to many people trying to scam so I dont take offense what so ever to people being leery. Even on the flyers I originally created included my cell number, a link to past donations we have done, as well as the contact information to the woman I work with at Mary Bridge that can verify I have been doing this and I'm legit. I hope people are always cautious with people trying to get collect donations that dont have any way to verify from the get. I dont think that anyone should even have to ask me for information to verify because I feel any honest donation would have any information that would be need should be discosed and given from the start. Thank you again and I am still on cloud 9 from the response we have recieved from the Komo viewers! It is AMAZING!
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@SugarSkullsandCupcakes Thank you. You do look legit, but there are so many people out there that will take advantage of situations and scam people. I appreciate your response and hope that you are able to raise a good amount to help her.
@The WA Mama - Completely understandable, To verify you are more then welcome to check out the event page on facebook any information here: http://www.facebook.com/events/272679292858410/ . It really makes no difference where you donate but I did post the paypal since I did have a few people contact me that didn't want to go through the komo site. I completely agree that you should ALWAYS verify information before you donate anywhere. : ) Thank you again to everyone that has donated already, you have no idea how much my family and I appreciate it as well as all the kids at Mary Bridge will definitley appreciate everyones generosity!
@Northend - That would be Awesome!! Thanks so much!
Gut wrenching and heart warming at the same time. Thank you Janay for your efforts in bringing these kids a ray of sunshine! We need more people like you! Count me in on donating for the cause!
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 @Budswiser So completely off topic.
 @Budswiser
Ferry? A ferry is a marine vessel. Am I missing something? The word I see in the article is fairy, like fairy princess...... sometimes even spelled faerie.
Do you get pissed off when you see a news story about a Washington State ferries? Does that word just set you off?
What does being gay have to do with this article or your need for your proud rant? If you have a forum where you can push your intolerance, then gay issues have a place in the media as well.
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Janay, good on you for helping little ones feel special during such a trying and scary time. Cancer treatment is hard enough on adults, it's got to be so tough on a child.
@Budswiser -
This is Janay, If you would like to check out the event page that has pictures and other ways to donate its: http://www.facebook.com/events/272679292858410/ Thank you so much for helping by donating I really appreciate it! If you have any other questions please feel free to email me at Sugarskullsandcupcake@live.com or to donate through paypal to email SSCDonation@yahoo.com.