Freya Everly

When Freya was fighting B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, we learned early on that getting through pediatric cancer is about more than medicine. It requires hope and it requires joy. Every parent trying to help their child make it through cancer treatment needs people who can understand what they’re carrying. One of those fantastic foundations is Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation. 

Bear Necessities was founded by Kathleen Casey in 1992, in memory of her eight-year-old son Barrett “Bear” Krupa, who died after five-and-a-half years with Wilms Tumor. Over his lengthy hospital stays, Bear discussed his desire to be there for other kids with similar problems, like him. It’s from those conversations that Bear Necessities was founded — grounded in the belief that families dealing with pediatric cancer deserve support that transcends medical treatment. 

They understand healing is not just physical. Kids and families need emotional support, moments of joy, and moments to live like themselves again. That belief is central to their signature program — a Bear Hug. Bear Hugs offer a dream experience for children in treatment and for their families. It’s more than a relaxed escape — it’s purposeful joy and hope. Research has found that hope and positive emotions count for something for children who are fighting cancer. They build resilience and strengthen their coping muscles. Behind each experience is a network of donors, volunteers and community partners working together to make these dreams come true. It is the creation of personalized dream experiences for children in treatment. 

Only four months into our cancer journey—after Freya had endured a particularly harsh month of treatment—Bear Necessities gave our family something we didn’t know we really needed: time to be together and be taken care of. Our magical weekend was spent at The Langham in downtown Chicago, where the kids saw a movie in the cinema suite, ordered room service and drank in the VIP experience. We went to the Shedd Aquarium, and we saw what we had been missing for months — pure wonder and excitement on our kids’ faces. Cancer was not in charge for a weekend. 

Bear Necessities somehow seemed to know just when we needed to lift our spirits. That weekend kept laughter top of mind in our lives. It gave us energy for the many remaining months of treatment we still had left to endure. It created memories that had nothing to do with hospital rooms. Bear Necessities also provided our family financial support that paid for gas — an actual and ongoing cost of treatment. They also provided our family with tickets to a children’s theatre performance of Finding Nemo. 

These are just a few of the ways that Bear Necessities makes an impact in the world. They defend joy amid the incomprehensible.  We are eternally grateful — to Bear Necessities, to The Langham Chicago, to the Shedd Aquarium and to every person who helped make Freya’s Bear Hug and supported us through her fight against cancer.

If you would like to donate and help another child receive their own Bear Hug, you can donate here.

-Melissa