Eighteen year-old Westwood native Amelia Zai was honored by the Boston Celtics as a Hero Among Us during halftime of the Celtics home game against the Toronto Raptors on Friday, December 29th, for her extraordinary empathy and dedication to serving others.
In 2016, Amelia received a diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma. The development generated feelings of isolation and fear. But it also led to her motivation to support fellow pediatric cancer patients who may be experiencing the same emotions.
Using the wish that she was given from Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Amelia created a therapeutic activity book for pediatric cancer patients. Her goal in creating her book, Amelia Takes on Cancer, was to alleviate the emotional burden that patients and their families experience during treatment. Book sale proceeds are donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. So far, thousands of dollars have been donated.
Additionally, Amelia has created a GoFundMe campaign, "Gift Books on Pediatric Cancer to Cancer Clinics," to raise funds for donations of her book to children with cancer. On December 29th last year, Amelia delivered 100 copies of her book to the Jimmy Fund Clinic.
Amelia explains on her website, "When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was scared and uncertain about what lay ahead. Questions like, 'What will chemotherapy feel like?' and 'How will people perceive me?' haunted me. Yet, amid these existential moments, I discovered pockets of happiness in the unwavering support and love I received from friends and family. . . Now, I aim to provide this gift of comfort to every pediatric cancer patient. Cancer, and any serious illness for that matter, can be frightening. However, we can discover joy and solace in the love we share with others and the love they share with us," she writes.
For her exceptional compassion and selflessness in aiding pediatric cancer patients, the Boston Celtics honored Amelia as a Hero Among Us. The Heroes Among Us award is presented at every Celtics home game to recognize the heroism of outstanding citizens who have made exceptional and lasting community contributions.
"It's hard to put into words just how grateful and humbled I am for this recognition," wrote Amelia in an announcement of the award to her supporters on her GoFundMe page.
Thanks to the Boston Celtics for sharing this news with Westwood Minute.
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