Two years ago, two students at the University of St. Thomas set out to improve the lives of children battling cancer. Today, their organization, Love Your Melon , has become an official nonprofit organization and has set out to put a hat on every child with cancer in the U.S.
When education junior Chelsea Abbott first heard about Love Your Melon, she fell in love with the idea of making kids who are having such a hard time in their lives happy.
Love Your Melon is a buy-one-give-one program. For every hat or other article of clothing bought, a hat is given to a child with cancer. Through funding from sales and donations, the foundation is also able to provide therapeutic entertainment to the children, all while raising awareness for their cause.
The nonprofit now has a foothold at MSU, with Abbott as a campus ambassador and crew captain for the organization.
“I think it’s cool that it’s been brought to MSU and other campuses because we have such a large voice with social media and we have the ability to spread the word and bring awareness, get people excited about it,” Abbott said.
Abbott is excited to be a part of Love Your Melon, especially since the student representatives get the chance to personally deliver the hats to the children.
Co-founder and vice president of the organization Brian Keller said he and co-founder Zach Quinn had both been personally affected by cancer and wanted to do something to help those who suffered.
“I think the biggest thing is that we all know somebody who has gone through cancer treatment, or have a close friend who has battled with cancer,” Keller said.
One in every four deaths in America is caused by cancer, according to the American Cancer Society . Keller, whose grandmother and second cousin both passed away from cancer, said Love Your Melon strives to be there for children who are suffering from this disease.
“It not only gives them hope, but also gives us a chance to get involved and put a smile on these kids,” Keller said.
Keller said he realizes that a lot of college students want to be a part of something and get involved, but don’t have the money to donate.
“It was important to us to take the simple concept of giving and put it on campuses all over the country,” Keller said.
Supply chain management junior Mallory Tyler , another MSU student representative for Love Your Melon, said the story of Lacey Holsworth inspired her to get involved. Tyler was drawn to Love Your Melon because it was unique in that you don’t just make a donation.
“With this organization, the kid actually knows that someone is there for them ... the kid sitting there knowing that someone is doing something for them, that someone cares about them, I think that is really valuable,” Tyler said.
She said it’s important to make college students aware of organizations like Love Your Melon because they’re the ones that have the best ability to help out and spread the word. Tyler said this was shown with the story of Holsworth last year, which caught on quickly around MSU’s campus and around the country.
MSU student representatives will be selling hats in order to reach a certain number of points, which will allow them to host donation and other informational events.
“Someone is battling cancer out there and this is a direct message that we’re there for you and you’re being helped and we’re trying to fight this battle with you,” Tyler said.
