Be Brave Foundation Launches To Offer Support To Central Florida Families Fighting Pediatric Cancer

ORLANDO, Fla. - June 27, 2014 - PRLog -- ORLANDO, FL. — (June 27, 2014) – A Central Florida couple knows first-hand what a toll childhood cancer takes on a family – and now they help others who face the same challenge.

Mina and Jeremy Chambers established the Be Brave Foundation because they understand the sacrifices parents and siblings make when a child is diagnosed with cancer. The foundation aims to alleviate some of that burden by providing supplemental financial support so parents can focus on being present for their child battling cancer – and for other children in the family.

“Financially, emotionally, and spiritually, pediatric cancer stretches families to their breaking point,” said Mina Chambers, Executive Director of the Be Brave Foundation. “That’s why we are so passionate about doing this. So many generous people were there for us when we needed it most. This is our opportunity to offer that same help and hope to other families.”

In addition to financial support, the Be Brave Foundation provides what they call “Gadget Grants” to young patients. Some children are in the hospital for weeks or even months while undergoing treatment. Those long stays result in school-aged children falling behind in their studies. For younger children not yet in school, being stuck in a hospital bed while tethered to various machines can be frightening. Gadget Grants give pediatric cancer patients new or gently used iPads, tablets, handheld gaming systems, and laptops to help take their minds off the scary stuff so they can focus all their energy on conquering cancer.

In a new twist on fundraising, Florida-based Americana band Big Kettle Drum performs free house concerts in an effort to generate charity donations for the Be Brave Foundation. Rather than paying a cover charge or buying a ticket, concertgoers are asked to donate to the foundation. The goal of each concert is to fund one $500 family grant.

About Be Brave Foundation
In February 2013, Mina and Jeremy Chambers’ son, Joshua, was diagnosed with very high-risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). The outpouring of support from friends and strangers led the Chambers family to establish the Be Brave Foundation, which supports the families of pediatric cancer patients with financial assistance. In addition, Gadget Grants provide new or gently used iPads, tablets, handheld gaming systems, and laptops to give young patients a distraction. Joshua has been cancer-free since June 2013.