Compassion in Action! There With Care

There are times when the compassionate acts done by another are so inspiring that one’s heart can think of nothing better to do than to leap with joy. An organization that embodies and exemplifies compassion in action is There With Care.

Founded by Paula DuPre’ Pesmen, There With Care provides vital support to children and their families with life-threatening or serious illness. With only 4 paid staff and a volunteer organization of over 250!, There With Care provides vital and often forgotten services to those who so desperately need them in very challenging times.

From their Compassion website is the following description:

“A few years ago, while working on the set of the Harry Potter films, founder Paula DuPre’ Pesmen had the privilege of meeting some very special children and their families during their “wish” visits.

Four of these children, Sam Patterson, Jay Barnett, Ellie Coombes and Sonia Scaramella all shared a love for Harry Potter and sadly they also shared a diagnosis of a terminal illness.

Paula with Harry Potter actor Tom Felton “Draco Malfoy” and cancer patient Yarely

Moved by the beautiful spirits of these children and their courageous battles, Paula and her four special co-founders began There With Care.

Paula, who in 2001 had just returned to film making after caring for her husband Curt through his diagnosis and treatment of advanced colon cancer, was keenly aware of the challenges facing families with cancer. Her experience as a caregiver and also as host to the “wish kids” and their families on set, opened her eyes and heart to the acute difficulties confronting families in medical crisis.

From fulfilling life’s basic day-to-day obligations to the heightened isolation created when friends or family don’t know what to say or do, There With Care is the link between those who want to help and those who need it.

The lives of Sam, Jay, Ellie and Sonia were taken early by a devastating disease. But their spirits, energy and enthusiasm for life live on in There With Care. The entire organization is a tribute to their lives.”

This post is dedicated to those who work at There With Care, bringing so much into the lives of those in need. I cannot imagine having a blog site dedicated to the practices of meditation and on compassionate action that did not include and highlight organizations such as There With Care. I ask my readers to consider making a donation of time or money to this most worthy organization. Were I to sit down and create a charitable organization, this would be the one that I’d create. But, it’s been done already!! Thank you Paula and all of those who make such a difference in the lives of thousands of children and their families.

I encourage you to view the following video, Our Video Story, from the There With Care website. Keep a box of tissues handy; it’s that good!