A little donor with a big heart

Each year, Amanda Fanale looks forward to visiting Children’s Memorial to donate her birthday money.

Kids love to get birthday presents. But for 6-year-old Amanda Fanale, her birthday is as much about giving as it is receiving. For the last two years, the outgoing kindergartener has shown her empathy for others by donating her birthday money to support Children’s Memorial Hospital’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Her generosity demonstrates that although children may not have deep pockets, they can still help make a difference. In Amanda’s words, “I just want to help other kids so they can feel better.”

So far, Amanda has raised more than $2,000 to support care for children treated for cancer. Her mother, Amy, says she loves to visit the hospital lobby each year to drop off the donations she’s received from family and friends.

“She really looks forward to it,” says Amy. “This year she also enjoyed seeing an example of a patient room in Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and seeing the accommodations that will be available for parents to stay overnight in their child’s room.”

Amanda’s birthday tradition began shortly after her grandmother passed away after battling leukemia. After Amanda made a comment that she thought that only older people got sick, Amy and her husband, Steve, explained to her that even kids her age could become so ill they might need to stay in the hospital. After Amanda said she wanted to help sick kids, her parents suggested to her that instead of gifts, guests at her next birthday party bring donations for Children’s Memorial. The little girl immediately agreed.

Today, Amanda feels a deep connection with the hospital, according to her mom.

“She once saw a TV commercial for the hospital featuring a young patient and said, ‘I’m helping him have another birthday!’” says Amy. “And when we drive by Children’s Memorial she says, ‘I’m helping the sick kids there!’ Giving back is really important, and hopefully you can help instill a spirit of generosity in children that will stay with them for life.”

Amanda sees her efforts to help kids less fortunate than herself in a simpler light. As she puts it, “It really makes me feel happy.”

Read additional stories about the efforts of children to help other children being treated at Children’s Memorial.