The volunteers at Richardson Regional Medical Center wanted to do something special for the new cancer center opening at George Bush Highway and Renner Road this October. So they started a fundraising project that they hope will lift the spirits of patients when they first walk through the doors. 

“We really felt passionate about this project because so many of us have been touched by cancer in our lives personally,” said Heather Rojas, Director of Volunteer Services at Richardson Regional.  

The Volunteer Auxiliary members are selling bricks to form the pedestal of a sculpture at the new Richardson Regional Cancer Center, an affiliate of UT Southwestern Medical Center. The proceeds from the sale will benefit the cancer center.  

“Anyone who wishes to honor a friend or family member who has exhibited courage in the face of illness should purchase a brick with their loved one’s name,” said Mira Clary, vice president of the Auxiliary. “This project is also a way for you to support the new cancer center, which will be a wonderful asset to our community.”   

The cancer center will bring an enhanced level of cancer care to the region by providing convenient access to medical, surgical and radiation oncology services plus new therapies in drug research, genetic counseling, patient education and support services. 

Judy Martin, chair of Richardson Regional Foundation’s “Cancer Should Not Have the Last Word” capital campaign, came up with the idea of having “The Messenger,” a bronze sculpture of a guardian angel with outstretched hands, at the entrance to the new Cancer Center. An identical statue by artist Gary Lee Price stands in front of the main hospital on Campbell Road. The volunteers expanded on the idea by starting the brick project. Each brick that forms the pedestal will have a word of encouragement – faith, hope, love or courage – above the honoree’s name. 

“These are bricks of honor for anyone who has been touched by cancer,” said Rojas. “It takes a lot of strength and courage to fight cancer each day, through radiation, chemotherapy, as well as the nausea and emotional and spiritual toll. We all want to take our own personal experiences and offer the cancer patients the encouragement and hope they will need to get through another day of treatment.” 

Only 160 bricks will be sold at $250 each. The deadline to purchase a brick of honor is August 1, or while supplies last. For more information, please contact Heather Rojas at (972) 498-4788.

Members of the Brick of Honor Committee show a sample of the brick available through this fundraiser. Back row:  Brenda Bearden; Debby Keenan; Maria MacMullin, Richardson Regional Foundation director of development; Sue MacHendrie, Richardson Regional Auxiliary president; and Mira Clary, Richardson Regional Auxiliary vice president. Front row:  Mary Hook; Judy Martin, Foundation board member; Ruth Aguilar; Heather Rojas, Richardson Regional director of volunteer services. Committee members not pictured: Mary Lee Morris and Brenda Duckett. 

 

“The Messenger” sculpture and the bricks of honor used to form the pedestal will deliver hope and encouragement to cancer patients.