Batman Surprises Doernbecher Kids Battling Cancer with New iPads

Portland, OR. The Healing Hunter Foundation made surprise deliveries of Apple iPads to children battling cancer at four major children’s hospitals along the West Coast, including OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital on September 18th. A costumed Batman was on hand to help distribute the devices intended to brighten days and bring much needed distractions to the cancer patients.

Batman from Red Shoe Productions made a surprise delivery to a young cancer patient.

Lenore and Todd Thawley founded the Healing Hunter Foundation eight years ago to honor their son Hunter, a 3-year-old who lost his battle to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in March 2010.

This is the eighth year in a row that the foundation has gifted Apple iPads to children fighting cancer, and it’s the third year in a row that the foundation has been able to gift 100 iPads.

The 100 iPads are in honor of Hunter’s 12th birthday.

Hunter loved watching Lightning McQueen from the movie CARS and music videos at the touch of a button with the help of his parents’ iPhones during his long and intensive cancer treatments. Hunter’s parents know what it’s like for a child to face cancer and wanted to give these patients a way to escape.

From The Healing Hunter Foundation:

Among the many generous sponsors that make this happen are Celebrity Hair Stylist Chaz Dean, who funded the donation for an entire hospital, Paradise Harley Davidson, and Lightning Cupcakes & Cakes, (a 5-star bakery boutique in Beaverton, Oregon created by Hunter’s mom with a mission to raise money directly for children with cancer). Fred Meyer also participates in this yearly event and donated 4 iPads.

The Healing Hunter Foundation’s mission is threefold: to bring smiles to the children suffering from these devastating diseases, to increase bone marrow and cord blood donations, and to assist other families dealing with childhood cancers.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.