It’s National Pumpkin Day, and we would like to highlight a very special pumpkin patch less than a mile down the road from our Cool Springs clinic. If you have not visited it yet, we highly encourage you to stop by and pick your #pumpkinsforapurpose at the #ctfpumpkinpatch.
The Cooper Trooper Pumpkin Patch is truly remarkable. The organization was formed by a local family after the youngest of their three boys, Cooper, fought a rare cancer diagnosed at just eight weeks old. Thankfully he is now ten, remains cancer-free, and is thriving. His family started the pumpkin patch in 2010 and has maintained The Cooper Trooper Foundation Pumpkin Patch every year since.
The impact of these pumpkins is vital to childhood cancer research. Per the foundation’s website, coopertrooper.org, “The Cooper Trooper Foundation is committed to financially funding pediatric cancer research through an endowed fund set up with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. The fact remains that cancer is the #1 killing disease of America’s children, yet childhood cancer research only receives approximately 4% of the National Cancer Institute budget and virtually no pharmaceutical research funds are allocated to childhood cancers.”
Yesterday, Vanderbilt news posted an article regarding the foundation, stating, “From the fundraiser, 100 percent of the profits go back into the Foundation to support a pediatric cancer research fund and other efforts set up with Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, as well as provide family support through a Courage Kit Program for the well siblings of children diagnosed with cancer. The foundation also recently pledged a donation to support changes to the outpatient clinic serving children, teens and young adults who are undergoing chemotherapy.”
With the fall chill now in the air, it is time to start setting out and carving pumpkins! We hope you find your way over to The Cooper Trooper Foundation Pumpkin Patch to purchase from a harvest seeded in hope and action.
To the Cook family, your community loves you dearly, and we find your pumpkin patch a beautiful gem in the heart of Cool Springs every fall. We wish you the best success!
In Hope, Wellness and Gratitude,
Your Friends at Elite Physical Therapy and Balance Center
For the full article from Vanderbilt, click here.
To follow Cooper Trooper Pumpkin Patch on Facebook, click here.
Featured Photo Credit: Wade Payne
