Gems of Hope Inc

GEMS OF HOPE IS A SUPPORT ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION OF BRINGING HOPE TO CANCER PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN AND NEAR THE CEDAR RAPIDS,IOWA AREA. HANDMADE CARDS WITH INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES AND SCRIPTURE HOLD SINGLE PAIRS OF BEADED EARRINGS OR A BEADED BOOKMARK. LOCAL CANCER SURVIVORS, THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES MAKE THE BEADED EARRINGS/BOOKMARKS AND THE MESSAGE CARDS. THESE CARDS ARE PLACED IN BASKETS IN THE ONCOLOGY AREAS OF THE LOCAL HOSPITALS AND AT ONCOLOGY OFFICES. EACH PATIENT IS ENCOURAGED TO LOOK THROUGH THE BASKET, READ THE CARDS AND TAKE HOME THEIR CHOICE OF CARD AND EARRINGS/BOOKMARK AT NO CHARGE. FOR THE NON-EARRING WEARING PATIENT, A SERENTITY CIRCLE WITH INSCRIBED INSPIRATIONAL WORDS, SUCH AS "HOPE", "FAITH AND STRENGTH OR A KEYCHAIN WITH AN INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE ATTACHED TO A HANDMADE CARD ARE GIVEN. THE INTENT IS FOR THE PATIENT TO PLACE THE CARD IN A FAVORITE SPOT IN THEIR HOME FOR THEIR INSPIRATION THROUGHOUT THE WEEKS AND MONTHS OF TREATMENT. THE GIFTS OF HOPE: BOOKMARK, EARRINGS, CIRCLE, OR KEYCHAIN ALLOWS THE PATIENT TO WEAR OR CARRY THIS GIFT ON THEIR PERSON AS A CONSTANT REMINDER OF ENCOURAGEMENT. GEMS OF HOPE SERVES THE COMMUNITY IN FOUR MAJOR AREAS: 1)ART/THERAPY VOLUNTEERISM-WORKSHOPS2)GIFTS OF HOPE3)PAGES FOR HOPE PROGRAM-INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS FOR SCHOOL/COMMUNITY LIBRARIES4)YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAMS: WHAT ABOUT US? - SESSIONS WITH CHILDREN AGES 5-12 YEARS OLD CANCER REALLY SUCKS - WEBSITE FOR TEENS SCHOLARSHIPS - TO ASSIST WITH HIGHER EDUCATION EXPENSES FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS IMPACTED BY CANCER IN THEIR FAMILIES