Warm Love chemotherapy program spreads comfort to suffering

Warm Love chemotherapy program spreads comfort to suffering

Alicia Bush, Editor-in-Chief

Cancer wreaks havoc on innocent bodies and immune systems. Evil and destructive, cancer fractures families and destroys self-confidence, as patients reflect upon their deteriorating health.

Those able to push past the first battle endure a redemption journey just as tiresome as the battle they endeavoured. Their bodies undergo challenges during treatment such as nausea, skin sensitivity, depression, and a fluctuating body temperature. Even the slightest breeze can produce extreme levels of discomfort, but with a little warm love, patients can restore their health and render cancer powerless.

D’Khorvilyn “Khorkie” Tyus, a senior at Holy Innocent’s Episcopal School and Girl Scout Ambassador, developed “Warm Love,” a project donating goodie bags to chemotherapy patients. As a veteran Girl Scout, Tyus began working for her Gold Award. To earn this Medal of Honor, scouts must demonstrate leadership skills, sense of community, and commitment to their program. In the midst of choosing a focus, Tyus became aware of her mother’s diagnosis with inflammatory breast cancer. Although fear filled her teenage body, Tyus used this experience to raise awareness and comfort chemo patients.

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“I want ‘Warm Love’ to still be around when I’m long gone and people don’t even know who I am. My mom went through it, and I sort of know what it’s like from her experience. And if there’s anything I can do to make it easier for the next person, I will,” Tyus said.

Tyus often attended her mother’s chemo treatments, but also brought along electronics. Her mother, Dehavilyn, thought she paid little attention until Tyus approached the nurse and asked questions concerning the patients and how she could get involved one day.

“At this moment, I felt very proud of the young lady she blossomed into,” Dehavillyn said. “It makes me so happy to see this idea materialize. I am humbled by her efforts. She is truly destined for greatness. I pray she continues to mobilize her ideas for the rest of her life.”

Dehavillyn survived, and with strength and a praying support system, she endured the diagnosis and harsh treatments. This inspired Tyus to comfort those who go through the treacherous journey alone. She came up with the idea of Chemo Goodie Bags, which include a plethora of items to mitigate the sickness: gentle hand sanitizers and creams that minimize exposure to germs and reduce skin sensitivity; oral products that prevent and treat mouth sores; Queasy Drops and Gin Gins that settle nausea; and warm blankets with Sudoku puzzles to entertain the mind.

“Warm Love” proves more than a project. After viewing the organization’s Facebook page, Hapeville Elementary offered to sponsor through their Empowerment Club. Her vision looked beyond a Medal of Honor. The true honor goes to the survivors who receive the goodie bags.

“She took something that was personal to her and let the community know it. She leads in a manner where she allows people to contribute, yet she maintains her goals. Whatever she does, she puts her mind to it. She could probably tell you her ‘Warm Love’ project was created for other people. She’s selfless,” senior Kenny Buckner, Tyus’ friend, said.

To donate to the cause, visit http://www.gofundme.com/8etaq0