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Carina C.

Carina, age 11Young Patient Brings Smiles to Others
Although she is only 11, Carina has had her share of troubles. Four years ago, the little girl from Connecticut was diagnosed for a second time with a brain tumor and underwent treatment at MassGeneral CancerCare for Children. Despite her challenges, Carina has always maintained a sunny outlook, in part because she focuses on the happiness of others.

For example, with the help of her mother, Karin, she would often bake cookies and give them to Cancer Center staff when she’d come for treatments. Last summer, Carina, who is now doing very well, wrote a letter to her oncology social worker, Evelyn Malkin, LICSW, saying she wanted to do something special for other kids who were undergoing treatment.

After seeking Malkin’s advice, Carina decided to share all the money she raised at her bake and tag sale to buy toys and other items that would help young cancer patients pass the time while in the hospital. Much to her delight, Carina far exceeded her $100 goal and raised more than $400, which she used to purchase crayons, books, stuffed animals, toys, and games—all of which she personally selected.

“I had fun doing this,” wrote Carina in the letter to Malkin that accompanied her much-appreciated donations. “I know how it feels to be sad and then receive gifts to make you put on a smile.”