Greeting-card Purchases Support Baystate Children’s Hospital

SPRINGFIELD — People looking for another way to give this holiday season might consider purchasing cards from the Baystate Health Foundation holiday collection.

The collection features a variety of wintery and holiday scenes and artwork from children, including a card created by Baystate Children’s Hospital patient Emilia “Mimi” LaPierre. Printed on recycled paper, Mimi’s colorful card brings cheer to a holiday landscape featuring a red cardinal in a tree with snowflakes falling in the background.

“Art is my favorite subject in school, and I was excited when asked to draw a card, because I knew it would bring money to the hospital which took care of me,” LaPierre said. “I drew a similar scene in art class, and I think it looks very good as a card. We’ll be sending them out for Christmas.”

LaPierre was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in August 2009 and was in treatment until November 2011. She is now in remission. The Chicopee youngster is one of the hospital’s Miracle Kids, whose photo was made into a life-sized cut-out that was placed at various locations throughout Western Mass. to bring attention to Baystate Children’s Hospital and to encourage donations.

The cards — which can also be customized online with the verse and personalization of one’s choice — are produced by Good Cause Greetings, a Springfield-based manufacturer of custom charity cards supporting nonprofit organizations worldwide. In addition to the individual holiday designs, a Baystate holiday assortment is also available. Thirty percent of all sales benefit Baystate Children’s Hospital through the Baystate Health Foundation.

To order cards, visit baystatecards.com or call (877) 543-1515. For more information about Baystate Children’s Hospital, visit baystatehealth.org/bch.