Blogs

Angela McRae

Tea with friends

Lorrie Lynch

Who's News

Published Monday, July 07, 2008 in Health

Fill the toy box in memory of Joey

By Nichole Golden

The Times-Herald

Although Joey Doolittle battled a rare form of cancer from infancy, his life was not about disease.

Joey, 9, died Friday, July 4 after cancer spread throughout his body. Like a lot of young boys, Joey enjoyed Braves baseball, watching movies, and was interested in being a fireman.

Thanks to this young man, other cancer and blood disorder patients will have reasons to smile in between doctors' appointments and treatments.

On his way home from a cancer treatment, Joey asked his mom if people would give money to a little kid. When Kim Doolittle asked her son what the money was for, Joey explained that he wanted other children suffering from cancer to have toys.

The idea for Joey's Toy Box foundation was born that day.

For Joey, the idea of giving to others was a simple concept. "Joey didn't think of himself as being special," said his father, Tom Doolittle.

Joey's family will continue running the foundation to collect toys for young patients, primarily those receiving care at the AFLAC Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, located at the Children's Hospital at Scottish Rite. The foundation is also dedicated to supporting the needs of the children's families.

"We have to do this," said Tom Doolittle. "He was our whole lives."

Karen McCarthy, child life specialist at AFLAC, said Joey and his family had already delivered one load of toys last month. The majority of the donations went to the center's Treasure Chest.

Kids undergoing treatment go to the Treasure Chest and select a toy. McCarthy says its often the "biggest decision" of a child's day.

McCarthy has known the Doolittle family for more than two years. "They are an amazing family who have never wavered," she said.

In June, the Doolittles held a fundraising event in Peachtree City to collect toys and donations. While there, Joey befriended firefighter Mike Newborn of the Peachtree City Fire Department.

"He has a heart that's just unbelievable," said Newborn. "He lit my heart up."

The firefighters at Station #81 on Paschall Road have a drop-off box for toys.

Newborn said Joey spent time with firefighters the day of his fundraising event and told him, "One day I'm going to be one."

Joey was scheduled to ride on a fire truck for the Independence Day parade in Peachtree City July 4. Instead they had a large banner in his memory.

As Newborn's pastor reminded him, Joey became "independent" of his cancer that day.

The Peachtree City Fire Department made Joey an honorary firefighter, and presented the family with a helmet and gear Saturday.

Joey's Toy box is a non-profit organization. More information, including types of toys needed, can be found online at www.joeystoybox.net .

Joey was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the muscle, at the age of three months. He attended White Oak Elementary in Newnan.

In addition to his parents, Tom and Kim, he is survived by brothers Tommy and Robby, his grandparents John and Christine Doolittle, and Deane and Ginger Taylor and loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 9 at Cornerstone United Methodist Church on Highway 154 near Thomas Crossroads. Visitation is at 10 a.m., with the service to follow at 11 a.m.

Kim Doolittle said a box for new toys will be set up at the church.