Fuzionz Magazine and TV Summer Issue 2013 | Page 13

Patricia: At
and support.
for the sake
organization
challenge is
need.

WAWELA, we solely rely on community donations
We do not receive any government assistance
of the client. Being that we are a grassroots
meeting an immediate need, the biggest
to get the financial support to help meet the

Our mission is to call attention to cancer patients who are
“Waiting for a Cure”. Individuals who are referred to WAWELA
are typically average to low-income earners, with minimal to
none insurance. The majority of their savings are exhausted
from doctor bills and attempting to maintain their homes and
new lifestyle.

(Story Continued)

Fuzionz Magazine:
I understand that Wawela supports
different groups. Tell me how Wawela supports teens who
are dealing with cancer?
What type of motivations or
positives seem to work for them as they deal with their
illnesses?

Patricia: For the past two years, WAWELA has visited Children’s Medical Center, Cancer Unit, in Dallas, Texas to reach out
to the Mothers who spend Mother’s Day with their child.
For the sake of germ control, we have not been able to make a direct connection with the teens; therefore, we are
undertaking a project to build individual “Walls of Hope” made up of Legos to be framed and presented to each child
suffering with the disease.
You asked the question, what type of motivations or positives seem to work for them as they deal with their illness? To be
honest, our experience has been quite the opposite. Each child and teen who we have interacted with, left such a positive
impact in our lives. We were showered with love and compassion.
Because we are family-oriented, we want to include programs for children to participate in; therefore, we are in the
process of incorporating an awareness program, “WAWELA Kids/Teens,” which will allow today’s youth to get more
involved in the cancer community and learn about the disease as well as express themselves through cultural art.

Fuzionz Magazine: What advice would you to give to our youth of today?
Patricia: You are the heartbeat of society; we need you as much as you need us. “Entertainment will only last but for a
moment, but education lasts a lifetime.”
Embrace the opportunities presented to you, such as Fuzionz Magazine.
Shenoba has developed a platform for you to express your success, unleash your talents, dreams, struggles and even your
fears.
Speak out! Let us hear your voice, you have a purpose in life.
Get plugged in!
We at Fuzionz Magazine and TV applaud Patricia McCoy for bringing her sister’s dream to life. We encourage others to
support the Wawela organization in its efforts to continue the mission to support those, both young and old, who are
battling cancer. Visit the Wawela website at www.wawela.org to find out more.