Dec 19, 2007 4:29 pm US/Eastern
Cancer Survivor Warms Hearts Of Young MGH Patients
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Katrina Comer returns to Massachusetts General Hospital where she was treated for cancer to bring gifts to other children fighting the disease around the holidays.
WBZ
A young cancer survivor continues to warm the hearts of other sick children at Massachusetts General Hospital by giving special gifts around the holidays.
There's probably nothing worse for a child than to be sick in the hospital on Christmas.
That's why one Connecticut teen is on a mission to help make the holiday a little brighter for some young cancer patients at Massachusetts General Hospital for children.
Fifteen-year-old Karina Comer knows all too well how tough it is to be in the hospital, especially during the holidays.
Seven years ago, she came all the way from Connecticut to Mass General Hospital to be treated for a brain tumor.
"I had treatment here in 2000, and the doctors and nurses were very nice to me," Katrina said.
So every Christmas Karina comes back to Mass General's proton therapy center to thank the doctors who saved her life.
She also raises thousands of dollars every year to buy Christmas gifts, which she personally delivers to other sick kids, who have to spend the holiday in the hospital.
"It makes me feel good that their holidays will at least be somewhat better," Katrina said. "They can have something to comfort them when they have to be away from their families and their home."
Karina's visit lifts the spirits of patients like Lynnea Brink, who has traveled all the way from California to undergo special treatment at Mass General.
"It just makes this experience easier, it's comforting to be here and to know there are so many out there who are trying to do nice things," Lynnea's mother, Melanie Downing, said. "When you're spending Christmas in the hospital it's difficult. With all the great things they do, hopefully it will make it memorable for Lynnea."
Karina raised more than $4,000 to buy the gifts by holding bake-sales and doing catering jobs.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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