March 9, 2012

Sometime in 2001, at the age of six, Thomas Pacheco drew a heart with a box of crayons. Early the following year, at the age of seven, a rare and aggressive cancer changed everything about the course of Thomas's life. I know his struggle firsthand; he is my son.
 A child with cancer and his or her family face a long and difficult road filled with emotional, physical, and financial burdens. I believe it to be one of the most terrible journeys that a child and his family could face. Cancer brings horrors that should never have to be endured, most especially by a child, but there is little choice, and the support to help bear those burdens can make all the difference in the world. It did for us.
 In desperation to find the funds needed for Thomas's treatment, we pursued the crazy idea of using his own artwork to raise money. That idea turned out to be not so crazy after all. With the help of a local church to accept nonprofit donations, and a friend to help with the programming, we built a web site to sell digital images, prints, and originals of Thomas's childhood artwork. That web site ultimately raised half of the required funds all on its own.
 Today Thomas is almost eighteen, and though he faces life with one eye stolen by a cancer we still fear, the support this effort brought to us goes far beyond financial assistance. There are so many ways that it was invaluable, and it truly made all the difference.
 While it has taken nearly a decade to find the time and resources, Art for Hope is based on taking that simple but impelling idea and giving it back in the form of something much bigger. The Art for Hope Foundation is a nonprofit with the stated goal of supporting the families of children with cancer, and one of its primary fundraising vehicles will be the artwork of the very children it supports. On a larger scale, its about using artwork in general as tool for raising money, awareness, and support to bring hope to children who find themselves in the cruel position of staring at death before they've barely had a chance at facing life.

Thomas Pacheco at Age 7

 That heart that Thomas drew at the age of six now adorns our logo. It is an appropriate symbol for many reasons, but most of all it is a reminder of the love and innocence of children. When that innocence is stolen, however, by cancer or any potentially terminal illness, we know firsthand that it is the love and kindness of others that makes all the difference, maybe even the difference between life and death.
 If you believe that you or your organization can help us make that difference, let us hear from you. Email us at info@artforhope.org, or call 870-736-1888.

· Are you an artist?
· Can you make a donation?
· Read about our plans for 2012.
· Thomas's Gallery
· Join our Mailing List.

Sincerely,

Ron Pacheco
President
Art for Hope Foundation, Inc.