The Duck Plushie That Support Kids With Cancer

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Gabe's My Heart is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support and education to children and families dealing with childhood cancer. The charity was founded by Louise Sipos, whose son Gabe was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma (a soft tissue tumor) in December 2002, just a week before his first birthday. Though Gabe has been declared cancer-free many years ago, Sipos continues the fight against the disease by supporting others who are experiencing what her family has gone through.

In 2004, Gabe's My Heart started Gabe's Chemo Duck Program, which gives free Chemo Duck plush toys to kids who are coping with cancer. Designed to help make cancer treatment less frightening and confusing for children, the 12-inch-tall Chemo Duck sports blue hospital scrubs, has an arm immobilizer, and a Hickman line or portacath for simulating medical care. Each toy comes with a DVD explaining the program, an educational coloring book, and access to additional resources and printable activities. Since its inception, Gabe's Chemo Duck Program has distributed over 15,000 ducks to children across the US.

Recently, Gabe's Chemo Duck Program teamed up with Flocabulary, an award-winning New York-based company that produces educational hip-hop music and learning tools. The result of the collaboration is “I'm Still Me,” an animated music video that promotes self-esteem for children who have cancer. “I'm Still Me” tells kids that despite the difficulties cancer treatment may bring, they are still themselves and they're not alone. The video encourages them to continue doing what they love, as well as sheds light on the changes they will experience during treatment. According to Sipos, Flocabulary has been instrumental in helping children understand what they're going through.

“I'm Still Me” is Flocabulary's first project in the health care industry. Co-founder and CEO Alex Rappaport says, “If we put a smile on just one kid's face, then we have done our part.”