03/29/2024
Spread the love

 

By Erin Smith

The Addison Bryan Foundation is conducting their annual Toy Drive now through June 22nd at First Bank in Elizabethtown.

Addison Bryan, daughter of Ben and Hillary Bryan, passed away from cancer on February 14, 2015. Addison was only the 24th case of a PNET brain tumor occurring in an infant worldwide. The toy drive was established to commemorate Addison’s birthday.

“Benjamin Bryan (Addisons father) went to East Bladen with me. I have followed Addison’s story on Facebook since the time of her diagnosis. The Addison Bryan Foundation needed several locations for you drop offs and First Bank agreed to be one of those,” said Holly Brisson.

Brisson added, “There is no better way to honor Addison than by putting a smile on another deserving child’s face! This is the final year of the toy drive and we want to see it be a huge success. The last few years have been an incredible experience to watch the community come together for a wonderful cause. Thank you to everyone for helping honor Addison and the short life she had on earth by bringing joy to the lives of others!”

According to the Addison Bryan Foundation website, childhood cancer is the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Brooke and John Bryan, Addison’s aunt and uncle, started the non-profit, Addison Bryan Foundation, to assist Ben and Hillary with their mounting medical bills. The Addison Bryan Foundation’s mission is to raise awareness about childhood cancer and advocating for further research and development of a cure.

During this year’s toy drive, the foundation plans to collect and deliver toys, games, puzzles, and art supplies to children and teens who are receiving treatments for cancer and/or enduring lengthy hospital stays due to their illnesses or treatments.

 

You can drop your new unwrapped toys, games, books, puzzles etc. at First Bank located at 232 W. Broad Street in Elizabethtown from now through June 22nd.

The hospitals that will be benefiting from this year’s toy drive are UNC Children’s Hospital, Duke Children’s Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House of Wake County, WakeMed of Raleigh and Ronald McDonald House of Durham County

For more details on how you can help in the search for a cure or to make a donation, please visit the Addison Bryan Foundation at www.addisonbryanfoundation.org

About Author