Teddy Bear Tea Party in Naples Raised Over $47,000

The Teddy Bear Tea Party hosted by The Bay House restaurant in Naples was a lot of fun and a huge success for Barbara’s Friends -- raising over $47,000! Musical entertainment was beautifully sung by Party of 8, a group from the Sweet Adeline’s International, the Seacrest Country Day School high school chorus, and Mrs. Julie, music therapist from The Children’s Hospital. Mrs. Claus arrived and read one of her favorite holiday stories to everyone. There were tea sandwiches and plenty of sweet goodies to share at each table. Plus, a cute children’s fashion show was produced by Barbara Roy Productions and fashions were provided by Lu Lu Belle’s and Beth Mone Children’s shops, both in Naples. It was a wonderful day of fun for children and grown-ups. Some items have already been purchased for the clinic including 3 new medwagons ($425 each), stethoscopes, video games, a 6-line infusion pump (allows 6 meds to be given to a patient with just one pump - $6,000) and more. Thank you to all the volunteers who made it happen and to all the guests who came to have fun while supporting Barbara’s Friends. Thank you to The Bay House restaurant for your HUGE support of Barbara’s Friends!

A Big Thank You to Whole Foods and Shoppers

Whole Foods at the Mercato center in Naples selected Barbara’s Friends to be the recipient of their 5% day on January 12, 2010. A huge thank you to Whole Foods and the shoppers, as Barbara’s Friends received a check for over $3,700! Plus, Barbara’s Friends volunteers bagged groceries and passed out brochures all day to help raise awareness in Collier County.

Barbara’s Friends 15th Anniversary Celebration set for Jan. 31

Barbara's Friends 15th Anniversary Celebration Set For Sunday January 31st!!

Fron Press Release:

(Fort Myers FL Jan. 8, 2010) Barbara's Friends, the Southwest Florida Children's Hospital Cancer Fund, will celebrate a special milestone this month. It's 15th anniversary- with an event on Jan. 31st from 12 noon-3:30pm at the Miromar Design Center, 10800 Corkscrew Rd.

Founded by Fort Myers residents Frank and Betty Haskell to honor their daughter, Barbara, who died of breast cancer in 1995. The organization has raised more than $8.7 million since it's inception. this money has helped build and equip a pediatric hematology and oncology center and other facilities providing therapy and support to children battling these diseases in our community. The fund also helps cover some treatment expenses for un-insured, or underinsured patients.

"When our daughter was undergoing treatment for her cancer, she would often see children with cancer and blood diseases getting treatment as well." Frank Haskell says" this pained her hreatly, so setting up a charity dedicated to fighting these diseases in our community seemed a fitting way to honor her memory.

Today, the Barbara's Friends Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Center treats more than 100 children each week, and averages one new patient each week." Haskell continues, "no child is ever turned away, but more than half either have no insurance or have only Medicaid and need help from charities like ours," All money collected by Barbara's Friends remains and is used to help young cancer and hematology patients in our area and their families.

Are residents are invited to join the Haskells and others at the celebration in an event themed after Barbara's favorite song. "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"' attendees are invited to the organizations mission at a champagne brunch, enjoy performances by local youth artists, and bid on a wide collection of items to help Barbara's Friends to paint the rainbow for cancer stricken children.

The event will be held on Jan. 31st, 2010 from noon to 3:30 p.m. at the Miromar Design Center, 10800 Corkscrew Road, Estero, FL. For more information, call 239-985-3550.