Each school day, 46 children or two entire classrooms of children are diagnosed with cancer and, according to CancerCure.org, an estimated 9,100 new cases are expected to occur this year among children aged 0 -14, resulting in an estimated 1,400 deaths. In addition, HealthyAmericans.org reports that leukemia, which is the most common childhood cancer, increased by more than 15 percent over the past 20 years, mostly in the form of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL).

The statistics are something Hicksville residents Matt and Marissa Weippert and their son, James, know all too well. In November 2002, the Weipperts lost their 12-year-old daughter Sarah Grace to ALL. She would have turned Sweet 16 later this month.

To celebrate her birthday, the Weipperts have implemented a Hugs for Sarah campaign. Over the course of the next week, they will be distributing small gift bags containing 16 Hershey Hugs - the age Sarah would have turned on March 31, 2006. The bags, which will be distributed to family, friends and some local businesses, will be tied with purple and gold ribbons - purple symbolizing Sarah's courage and bravery and gold for childhood cancer awareness.

Attached to each bag will be a card encouraging people to, on March 31, "pause for a moment and think about how sweet life is yet how short it can be. Take time to hug someone you love - tell them how much they mean to you. Especially, hug your children - do something special with them and for them on that day. Do it for you. Do it for them. Do it for Sarah."

"The message to be sent is purely an informational one. A short statement about a beautiful young girl who battled a horrific disease and matured into a young lady only to lose her battle with the disease," said Matt Weippert. "The message is that life is very short, too short. Everyone is encouraged to pass around hugs on that day - especially to your children. Tell someone you love them and you are happy to know them and be part of their lives."

Hugs for Sarah is just part of the Weipperts mission to keep the memory of their daughter burning bright. In spring 2003, the Weipperts established the Sarah Grace Foundation for Children With Cancer, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and their families overcome the challenges and hardships brought upon by childhood cancer, which is currently the leading cause of disease-related death among US children between the age of 1 and 14 with 46 children or two entire classrooms of children diagnosed with cancer each school day.

The foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life of children with cancer by providing financial and moral support as well as other forms of assistance to not just the child receiving treatment, but to their parents and siblings as well. "The Sarah Grace Foundation is our way of thanking those who helped us - by helping others and by keeping Sarah's memory alive at the same time," state the Weipperts on the foundation's website, adding that the goal is to let others see life through Sarah's eyes and make their journey through such a menacing disease more bearable. "We experienced firsthand the devastating impact of this disease and the psychological and financial burden it places on the family ... We had an overwhelming outpouring of community support and realize that not all families are as fortunate to receive such tremendous support."

Another goal of the foundation is to promote public awareness and concern for children suffering from cancer. After Sarah was diagnosed with cancer, the Weipperts said it was very difficult to find an organization that provided support to not just the sick child, but to their siblings as well. "We saw firsthand how things affected James and as much as you try to do things for the siblings, they get left out of the picture. They, too, experience uncertain times and questionable futures. We hope to do just as much for the siblings as we do for the sick child," said Matt in a previous Hicksville Illustrated News article.

To support their cause, the Weipperts have held various benefit fundraisers to support the foundation and those who benefit from it, including bead and scroll programs, a bike run and an annual comedy night entitled "Night of Laughter," which will take place this year on Friday, April 28 and feature such comedians as Randy Levin, Chris Roach, Vince Dantona & George, Sherry Davey, Rich Morgan and other special guests. Tickets for the "Night of Laughter" are $35 in advance; $45 at the door and include admission into the show, an appetizer buffet, beer, wine and soda as well as coffee and desert.

For more information on The Sarah Grace Foundation for Children with Cancer, Inc. or to purchase tickets for the Night of Laughter or make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.TheSarahGraceFoundation.org or call 433-9745.