Since May 5, 2018, we’ve been delivering comics books to the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology unit at Asante Health Rogue Regional Medical Center for heroic little warriors fighting cancer. COMICS VS CANCER was born with a desire to provide a spark of joy in difficult times. We’re thankful for everyone who has purchased comics and graphic novels for the kids, once we began providing comics all year-round 3 years ago, not only on Free Comic Book Day.

Recently, the unit’s Child Life Specialist, Kirstine, gave me a tour. What they’re doing there is so amazing! There are comics in the reception room, ready for patients and their siblings to enjoy and take home. They also keep them available for patients to select from at any time during their treatment. Sometimes they even get put on a pillow to welcome a child who is being admitted. We’re thankful for the team of medical professionals taking care of kids and their families at Asante. They also have an adorable therapy dog named Journey who is a regular presence in the unit.

Our goal is to one day obtain nonprofit status, because we feel there is so much more we can do. The recreation areas in the unit have blank walls and we want to help provide the means and the comic book artists to paint murals in each room. Also, we'd love to see our free comics extend to Title1 schools in Southern Oregon. Jami was a child who experienced varying levels of poverty as a child and we want to see more comics in the hands of kids who aren't in a position to buy them. We have a bit of a pilot program going with a local teacher in her Title 1 school. It's been a great success, three years running.

 

In the meantime, you can buy a *new comic book or graphic novel for a young patient, ages 1 to 21 and Rogue City will match it!

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*Due to regulations, vintage or used comics are not given to the hospital, but instead to schools.