FACES & PLACES
lOCAL COLOR
May 2008

Andi Mitchell and Julie’s Room
by Megan Wetzel

Andi Mitchell has many projects on her plate, but the two which are held closest to her heart are Julie’s Room and the Bucks County Chapter of Fox Chase Cancer Center.  Andi’s daughter Julie was diagnosed with an in operable brain tumor in 1993 and passed away in 1995, at the young age of 23.  After being stabilized at a hospital in Philadelphia, she went to Fox Chase Cancer Center for radiation and chemotherapy.

During her daughter’s treatments at Fox Chase, Andi realized there were no areas where you could go to relax between treatments, close your eyes, or watch TV after a bad day. 

After Julie passed away, Andi, an interior decorator, suggested to Fox Chase that if they could locate a place in the hospital, she would create a room for patients to go to between treatments. Upon returning from a trip to Hawaii, Andi was surprised to learn that all of the donations that had been made in Julie's memory were earmarked for Julie's Room.  From the carefully stenciled flowers on the walls, to the comfortable couches, Julie’s room became a home away from home for many families and patients.  During the opening reception of Julie's Room, a guest book was placed in the room for people to sign. There are now eight books filled with heart-wrenching stories from cancer patient family members and friends.  Mostly though, the books are filled with hope and inspiration.  Needless to say, Julie's room has become a huge success and more patient resource rooms have followed.

After working on Julie's Room, Andi was asked to volunteer for the Bucks County Chapter of Fox Chase Cancer Center and after several years served a two year term as their President. The Bucks County Chapter is one of 8 Chapters and Affiliates under the umbrella of the Board of Associates of Fox Chase Cancer Center. Following her term as president of the Bucks County Chapter, Andi went on to serve a 3-year term as president of the Board of Associates.  

The next Bucks County Chapter charity event will be the 19th annual Garden Party held on Sunday, June 8.  Last year’s garden party raised $85,000 and the chapter would love to top that number this year. All proceeds from this event will be given to research and prevention programs at Fox Chase Cancer Center. The cost of the party is $100.00/per person and includes cocktails and dinner.  There will be a live auction consisting of trips, jewelry and other local specialties.   Don’t miss the Silent auction that will be full of baskets of goodies and gift certificates. 

This year there will be a special appeal to help finance a new digital mammography machine for the mobile mammography van. The van travels around a 3 state area giving free mammograms to women who might not other wise have them. It also offers free prostate screening for men.

The Garden Party will be on Sunday, June 8th at The Spring Oak Farms in Solebury.  The party is rain or shine from 3:30pm-7:30pm. Please R.S.V.P. by Saturday, May 24th.  For more information, please contact Andi at: (215) 343-2335