They are lovable, bring smiles to children and adults, and are larger-than-life characters. Mascots may help fans get pumped up during a game or make an impression at a local business, but the mission for these mascots was to bring joy to children at Sparrow Hospital.
Mascots for a Cureis a national non-profit organization, and is touring the United States and visiting children and their families who are battling cancer. The group uses local mascots, and their own Sir Roland BraveHeart on their visits, and will hit 36 cities in 48 days.
On Thursday, mascots visited children at Sparrow Hospital, and during the visit the children received a “Knighting Ceremony,” and Mascots for a Cure items.
“This is really, really cool,” said John Thornberry, whose daughter, Elle Ripley, is at Sparrow Hospital. “Anything to help these kids not think about why they are here is amazing. She was just sitting in her room like a lump on a log, and then she learned about this and just got all excited. It has taken her mind off of everything for a little bit.”
The organization started in Portland, Oregon in 2014, and has teamed up with Chubby Checker’s Twist Challenge.
The founder and CEO of Mascots for a Cure, Derek Zinser, started the organization after he lost his father in 2009 to cancer. His father had six young nieces and nephews, and Zinser couldn’t imagine losing a loved one to cancer at a young age, or being a child battling cancer.
Check out photos of the mascots and children here
“I wanted to bring a lighter side to those battling cancer, a way to bring joy and fun, and also raise awareness,” said Zinser. “I want them to know that they are still kids, not just cancer patients. Mascots bring joy, hope and love, and they are larger-than-life.”
The mascots are not only fun and bring smiles and joy to children, but they are also symbolic of the strength and fight in all children battling cancer.
The organization is also going to try and break the world record for largest mascot dance in Houston, Texas later this year, and this will be their third attempt. Zinser said that mascots from all across the nation will gather and dance together to raise awareness and break the record.
