Being kind: Foundation spreads holiday cheer to cancer patients

Published 9:39 am Friday, December 29, 2017

Representatives of the Megan Kelley Smiles Foundation went to UAB Hospital’s bone marrow transplant unit Dec. 10 and delivered 20 baskets of Christmas gifts. They also delivered 10 baskets to the 21st Century Oncology Center in Andalusia.

The Megan Kelley Smiles Foundation was founded in memory of Kelley, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in 2015. She was 19.

The foundation’s goal is to enhance the lives of cancer patients between the ages of 19 and 25, and the lives of their families, by providing help, hope, care and support.

“We take these baskets every year on Megan’s birthday, Dec. 10,” Donna Kelley, Megan’s mother said. “This was her vision. We had been shown so much love and kindness from their community and from complete strangers, that she wanted to give back the same love.”

Megan’s motto, which has been adopted by the Foundation, was, “Be kind to everyone. You never know what they are going through.”

Ever since Megan’s passing and the founding of the foundation Mrs. Kelley has worked passionately to make sure all of her daughter’s goals are completed.

“Being able to fulfill her dream is humbling and yet so emotional,” she said. “We are able to do this because of the support of this community and from so many that followed Megan’s story. I am so grateful for everyone.”