Her dream has provided many sick children with hours of enjoyment. And that was the whole point.
Before she passed away two years ago, Cloverdale's Cassidy Briggs had a vision: to raise funds and collect arts and crafts supplies for B.C. Children's Hospital's (BCCH) oncology ward.
Diagnosed with liver cancer just before her eighth birthday in 2008, Cassidy knew what it was like to spend long periods of time in hospital. An avid artist herself, she often noticed there was little for young patients to do during their often-lengthy and difficult treatment.
Cassidy lost her 23-month battle with cancer on Jan. 11, 2010, but her family and friends honoured her 
wish by launching the annual Cassidy's Craft Campaign. Now in its third year, the campaign began on Valentine's Day and will continue until March 2.
Due to the success of the last two campaigns, craft supplies are now provided to Surrey Memorial Hospital's pediatric oncology ward as well as BCCH. It's hoped the effort will expand further to Victoria General and Kelowna hospitals in the future.
Donations to Cassidy's Craft Campaign can be made online at https://www.cassidybriggsfoundation.com/Donate.html or by sending cheques made out to the Cassidy Briggs Foundation to 17790 #10 Hwy., P.O. Box 34009, Surrey, B.C. V3S 8C4.
– Sheila Reynolds, Black Press
Cassidy's school continues craft campaign
Staff and students at Cassidy's school, George Greenaway Elementary, have also launched their third annual Cassidy's Craft Campaign, collecting donations of new craft supplies and cash. Starting on Feb. 13 and continuing until this Friday, Feb. 24, donation boxes have been placed in every classroom. A list of the most requested items included crayons, coloured pencils, glue, tape, pipe cleaners, googly eyes, paper of all kinds, glitter, Playdoh, modeling clay, felt pens, paint, stickers, stamp pads, paint canvasses, dry erase markers, holiday craft items, boy items, foamies, beads and charms for jewelry-making, friendship bracelet string, scrapbooking materials, colouring books, T-shirts, hats and tote bags, fabric paint, perler beads and puzzle books.
Individual craft kits for patients in isolation are also requested. Suggested items include paint by number kits, latch hook kits, scrapbook kits, mosaic kits, model car kits, and sticker books.
The campaign is also collecting crafting items that kids can decorate and give as gifts, including mugs, frames, treasure boxes, flower pots, piggy banks, and card making kits.
For more information, please contact the school at 604-576-1136.
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