Popsicle Project Expands to Emory Proton Therapy Center
The Mighty Millie Popsicle Project is now at a third treatment center — Emory Proton Therapy Center in Atlanta, GA!
EPTC is where Millie received proton radiation therapy during our fight with rhabdomyosarcoma. It is truly a blessing to have this center in Atlanta because this type of radiation is cutting edge in the oncology world, and there are only a few centers around the country. The doctors and nurses are some of the best in the entire world. This facility is gorgeously designed, and the staff is unbelievably kind and work very hard to take care of each patient, as the experience is something no one should have to go through.
During our experience, we learned how horrific cancer treatment is for young children. Radiation therapy is so much to ask of a tiny human. From the pokes for medicine, a room full of huge equipment, having to lay on a hospital bed, being surrounded by grown ups in scary masks, to physically undergoing the radiation - it can take a serious emotional and physical toll on the entire family just to even walk in the doors. Not to mention, young children may not eat or drink in the morning before treatment because they must be put to sleep under sedation medication to receive the treatment. This can go on for weeks at a time, as treatment plans often require daily radiation dosages for periods of time in order to be effective. This experience can be so nerve-racking and scary for children, so it is our hope with the Mighty Millie Popsicle Project to provide something to look forward to: a popsicle!
We had the honor of dropping off the popsicles at EPTC as well as a mini freezer to store them in. It will be kept near the recovery room for children to have as they come out of treatment or whenever they want. We are so grateful to our dear friend, Hayley Barnard, who will oversee this project. Hayley is an amazing social worker at Emory Proton Therapy Center who helped to take care of Millie during treatment, and we are so grateful for the love, kindness, and support she shows to each family. We pray that these popsicles bring small moments of joy for families now receiving treatment. I can only imagine the difference it would have made for Millie. Thank you to so many of our friends and family who held popsicle stands and have made donations to make this come true in honor of our Millie.
“The Mighty Millie Popsicle Project has already been such a blessing to our patients at Emory Proton Therapy Center. It’s amazing to see how a popsicle can light up a child’s face and make treatment a little more bearable. Millie touched the hearts of so many of us and it’s amazing to see her legacy carried on through this popsicle project.” - Hayley Barnard, Emory Proton Therapy Center
