Reported By: Kelley Dunn
Photographer: Tony Araujo
June 16, 2006
Regen Foley knows how much, something as simple as a blanket, can mean to a child in the hospital.
Regen says: "I was hospitalized three times for one month and I got first hand experience that there was a need in the I.C.U. and the pediatric unit."
Regen felt fortunate to have her parents by her side when she was sick.
Regen says: "But there were many kids who didn't have their parents and didn't have the personal comforts with them."
Thanks to Regen, many children at St. Mary's Medical Center now do.
When she was still in grade school a teacher inspired her to start a community service project.
Regen says: "We donate blankets and comfort bags which are bags with fleece blankets, stuffed animals, crayons coloring books..to sick kids at St. Mary's hospital."
Regen calls it, the Sunshine Project -- named in honor of her stepdad, Rick Sunshine, who died of brain cancer when regen was only ten.
So far, Regan has delivered over 450 comfort bags and says, "it brings me so much joy to see these children. They usually bring the blanket up to their face to feel how soft it is..it's just a comfort to them."
Regen's mom remembers all too well what it was like when Regen was hospitalized, and is proud her daughter is helping so many other children.
Dr. Susan Foley says, "her illness was life threatening and she was in intensive care for one week. It definately gave her a renewed interest in it. In addition, the summer after she was hospitalized she volunteered in the pediatric unit at St. Mary's and it came full circle for her there."
Regen will be a senior this fall at Suncoast High School. When you see how much she's accomplished at such a young age you wonder -- what's ahead.
Regen says, "I'm not sure but I want to keep the sunshine project going and I know throughout my life -- I want to give to others."
To send tax deductible donations to help Regen Foley write to:
The Sunshine Project Inc.
P.O. Box 30223
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33420-0223
