Community Corner

Danville Students Help Families Impacted By Chronic Illness

Three Monte Vista students were among five honored by John Muir Health for their work with the Youth Giving Project.

L-R: Angad Pantvaidya, Vivek Bellam, Amanda Bilter, Anthony Chan, and Shana Hammers from JMH Pediatrics.
L-R: Angad Pantvaidya, Vivek Bellam, Amanda Bilter, Anthony Chan, and Shana Hammers from JMH Pediatrics. (Anthony Chan)

DANVILLE, CA — Three Danville students were recognized by John Muir Health for her help supporting a number of local children and families through the Youth Giving Project, an organization with the goal of “fostering love and companionship among children and families impacted by chronic and serious illnesses.”

Anthony Chan, Vivek Bellam, and Audrey Lu of Monte Vista High School joined Amanda Bilter of Foothill High School and Angad Pantvaidya of California High School in a number of initiatives.

Over the past three years, the group has:

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  • Designed art and STEM-based activity kits for childhood patients dealing with various challenges.
  • Delivered over 3600 kits to children’s hospitals and care organizations via a partnership with the Taylor Foundation. Their partnership with the Taylor Family Foundation has helped provide funding and support for children battling rare diseases.
  • Launched an online “Fishbowl” forum to encourage teens and families to address anxiety and other issues affecting young people.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Youth Giving Project can contact info@youthgivingproject.org. The public is also encouraged to help raise awareness of their Children’s Rare Diseases initiative by joining their Facebook page.

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