The Volunteer and Leadership Center is hosting an event where students can both get creative and make someone’s day.

Cody Wood was 17 months old when he was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer called neuroblastoma in 2010. After little over a year of fighting,  he won his battle with cancer in 2011.

After years of remission, another battle began in July for the now 11-year-old after he was diagnosed with Pediatric Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a rare lung disease, only found in infants and children. Cody’s doctor’s have never seen a case, but it has been confirmed that he’ll need a lung transplant.

Graduate assistant for the Volunteer and Leadership center, Emily Bernas, says that the opportunity was found through The Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation.

The foundation helps Michigan children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses or medical conditions by buy.ng gifts and bringing joy into their lives.

The foundation also allows recurrences. For example, Cody had cancer as a baby and it went into remission. But, he returned years later, so through the foundation he qualifies for another wish.

“He’s been getting treatments at hospitals and his birthday is coming up, so the director of the organization wanted to send him a bunch of cards to brighten his mood,” Bernas said. “He’s waiting for his wish and he’s in treatment, so he can’t get his wish right now because of his restrictions,”

Cody’s birthday is coming up on Oct. 10, so the Volunteer & Leadership center wants students to hone in on their art skills and make Cody birthday cards for his 12th birthday. 

The center encourages students to stay positive and use appropriate language when making the cards. If someone isn’t too keen on their artistic abilities, writing a letter with words of encouragement is accepted, too.

When done, participants should not seal the envelope and only write their first name when signing.

“The director of the organization is going to mail the letters out to him. Hopefully, he gets a huge envelope with a bunch of birthday cards just to make his day,” Bernas said.

Students can add to the growing pile in the OSI office by Sept. 30 to make Cody’s birthday better.