By Moses Leos III.
In our story, we incorrectly reported the name and title of a Wonders and Worries employee. Michelle Hicks should have been Michelle Martin, with Martin working as a Child Life Specialist for Wonders and Worries. We apologize for the oversight.
Going through as serious of an illness as cancer is physically and emotionally draining for patients. But family members, especially children, can use a little help, too.
Yvette Sutten, a teacher Lehman High School, received the news in July – breast cancer.
While it was, and some days continues to be, rough for Sutten, she knew her son, Zane Sutten, a Pfluger Elementary fifth grader, would also have to deal with the emotional stress of her disease.
She heard about Wonders and Worries, a nonprofit that offers outreach and compassion to children of cancer patients. The organization is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit that travels to nine school districts in the area, including Hays CISD.
At top: Back row (l-r) are Hayden Brown, Kathy Cousins, Ben Cousins, Misty Kieffer, Zac Hobert, Jake Jackson. Bottom row are Meredith Cooper, Yvette Sutten, Zane Sutton, Michelle Martin. (Photo by Moses Leos III) |
Sutten called Michelle Hicks the national program director, to get some help for Zane.
Hicks and the Wonders and Worries staff spent six months with Zane, talking with him and encouraging him to talk about what was happening with his mom.
“Our whole goal is to make sure [children] understand what’s going on,” Hicks said. “[We describe] what their (parent’s) treatment is; what mom’s doing, why she’s going through so much, explain her hair loss, and why she is fatigued and not feeling good.”
They also gauge children’s feelings, talking about anger, sadness and other emotions that may arise during such times. According to Hicks, talking about those emotions helps children cope with the situation.
The approach depends the age of the child, ranging from using Duplo Blocks with two-year-olds, to thought provoking question-based games for teenagers.
“The underlying process is the same,” Hicks said. “We use a lot of books and language appropriate for that child. We meet them where they are at developmentally. We use arts, crafts and other activities to express what they are feeling.”
In addition, the foundation dispels rumors and misconceptions about diseases in children’s families.
Meredith Cooper, executive director of Wonders and Worries, says the foundation tries to provide the most accurate information to children and families. The group’s work also extends to older children, who are apt to search the web for information.
“[Children] research things that may not be accurate for their family,” Cooper said. “Maybe they are reading about a brain tumor on internet. [What they read] may not be the same case for their family.”
Through Wonders and Worries, Sutten said Zane was able to understand her situation and what she was going through. After Wonders and Worries helped him, Zane realized he needed to give back to the organization somehow.
His inspiration came, of all places, from his shoes – more specifically, his shoelaces.
After she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Sutten purchased pink shoelaces for Zane and his friends to wear.
At first, she admitted her son disapproved of his friends wearing the shoelaces, as he was possessive of his mother’s fight. She influenced him to change his mind.
As he began to wear his shoelaces everyday, he realized how popular it was with other kids.
“Over time, he welcomed other kids wearing pink,” Sutten said. “Kids love it when he wears pink shoelaces. That’s how [the fundraiser] came about.”
He took the initiative and devised a plan to give back. With the help of his friends, his teacher, Misty Kiefer, and family friend Kathy Cousins, Zane began to organize the fundraiser.
His group sold three styles of pink shoelaces at $3 per pair, $5 for two. The group advertised the fundraiser through flyers in the front office. It also set up shop inside the school to gain more awareness.
By the end of the sale period, Zane and his helpers raised $719. On Dec. 10, Zane and his friends Jake Jackson, Hayden Brown, Ben Cousins and Zac Hobert donated the money to Wonders and Worries.
Both Hicks and Cooper said they were ecstatic, as the nonprofit is funded through donations.
But most proud were the Suttens, who were surprised at the amount raised. For Zane, it was all about giving back to the organization that helped him so much.
“I’m happy it’s going to [Wonders and Worries],” Zane said. “They talked about feelings… and helped me understand things; what’s going on and why it’s happening.”
