JWF is overwhelmed by community outreach in support of their 1st Annual Operation Wear Red
Julia’s Wings Foundation (JWF), a local non-profit organization, held its first Operation Wear Red campaign during Aplastic Anemia (AA) awareness week (March 1-7) in honor/memory of Julia Malsin. Julia was a 13 year old Sherman resident who fought a yearlong battle against this bone marrow failure disease. Julia inspired many and continues to influence others by her unwavering grace and strength during what was a very difficult and painful course of treatment. The participation in awareness week was overwhelming as JWF received support from so many local schools, sports teams, businesses, organizations, the town of Sherman and people across the United States who joined together to Tie It Red.
The week began with people near and far tying a red ribbon on their mailboxes to raise awareness of AA. Pictures were received from CA, Washington DC, PA, NJ, MA, Sherman and New Milford. JWF would like to thank the following establishments for contributing to such a successful week: The American Pie Company, Phys-Ed, Fineline Theatre Arts, Champion All Stars Cheer Gym, Little Munchkin Day Care and the Dental Offices of Dr. Phillips and Lambert. A big thank you also to the Sherman School, NFHS, NMHS, and Shepaug who all participated in Operation Wear Red along with the RMT Johnson Middle School in Bethel which held a toy/craft drive to replenish supplies for the hematology/oncology resource room at CCMC in Hartford. We also want to extend our gratitude to the Northwestern Ice Hawks, Westco Sports, New Fairfield/Immaculate, the Lady Whalers (Julia’s team), Shepaug and New Milford High School hockey teams who participated by taping their sticks red and/or wearing a sticker bearing the #14 in memory of Julia. The Shepaug girls basketball team participated by wearing red socks and Julia’s Wings shirts during their warm up. New Fairfield High School dedicated a whole week to this cause with daily events created and scheduled by Molly Fitzpatrick. A favorite was March 4th- Perform a Random Act of Kindness in honor of Julia as this was the way she lived her life… always thinking of others. The Sherman Town Hall staff participated by wearing red along with NORD (National Organization for Rare Diseases). Finally, JWF teamed up with Western Connecticut State University’s nursing program to hold a bone marrow drive on March 7th and registered 43 new potential donors!
It’s the non-profit organizations like JWF that are paving the way with research funds targeted at finding a cure for Aplastic Anemia. JWF remains committed to raising awareness of this bone marrow failure disease and continuing the fight for a cure in Julia’s honor.
We are so incredibly grateful and appreciative for all of the support that we continue to receive. Along with raising much needed awareness of this bone marrow failure disease, JWF also raised over $4,000! All proceeds will go towards assisting families of children battling aplastic anemia and for medical research.
On behalf of Julia and the enitre Board of JWF, we want to thank you for you continued support!!
