Original article printed in Old Colony Memorial on Feb 23, 2011
Scout holds book drive to thank Dana Farber, celebrate mother's victory over cancer
Who: (T.A.) is working toward his Star rank, which is two ranks below Eagle Scout - his eventual goal. He also enjoys community service projects, including helping out the town of Plymouth. He's been involved in painting the bridges on the path of Brewster Gardens, planting flower in front of the library, disposing of Christmas trees and helping out on food drives.
What: a book drive to support Dana Farber
How many: 3,600 books
TA SAID: "My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last September. Then she was treated at the Dana Farber with chemo and radiation. It was hard when my mom got sick because of the chemo and there was nothing I could do about it. After radiation, my mom was cured of breast cancer. While my mom and I were riding our bikes, I decided that I wanted to give back and thank the Dana Farber for curing my mother of breast caner, I asked the Dana Farber what I could do and they asked me to start a book drive so that cancer patients will have something to read while receiving chemotherapy."
MOM SAID: "I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was treated at the Dana Farber. After going through chemotherapy (T) approached the social worker at Dana Farber and wanted to know what he could do to help and thank the Dana Farber for saving his mother's life. The social worker responded that the an always use books. The books are delivered to the chemotherapy area to help the patients pass the time. (T) began collecting books by calling local libraries, telling everyone what he was doing, going to yard sales, to St Peters Church, Entergy, local hair salons and neighbors. (T) collected 3,600 books. He delivered 3,400 to the Dana Farber and 200 books to Boston Children's Hospital.
