HEART OF
GOLD
PROGRAM
Kids helping kids. The Heart of Gold Program shows students that they are never too little and can make a big difference.
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A lesson in compassion they’ll never forget.
Heart of Gold is a September school program that gives students the opportunity to discover the power of compassion in a way they’ll never forget.
Students decorate their gold paper hearts together at school — adding their name, artwork, or a message of encouragement for a child fighting cancer.
Heart of Gold is about so much more than raising money. It’s about raising a generation that leads with empathy, generosity, and service.
Downloadable Lesson PlansGrades K–8Grades 9–12
It is as easy as A, B, C.
Decorate
Write your name and decorate your Heart of Gold with your own artwork or a message of encouragement.
Donate
Ask a parent or guardian to make a suggested $5 donation through your school's Heart of Gold fundraising page.
If your family is not able to donate, that is completely okay. Return your heart anyway.
Display
Your decorated heart becomes part of your school's Heart of Gold Wall, showing that your school stands with children fighting pediatric cancer.
Every heart belongs on the wall. A donation is never required to participate.
Print it and send it home in the backpack — it tells parents everything they need to know.
Hear it from the teachers.
The Whip Pediatric Cancer Hearts of Gold program was a beautiful way for students, educators and staff to show our support for a child in our school family who was diagnosed with leukemia. As a teacher coordinating this effort, Hearts of Gold made this easy by sending us the paper hearts. Our Saltzman East Memorial school community decorated the hearts with words of support. Those who were able to donate sent in a contribution. The displayed hearts were a loving and visual sign that nobody fights alone.
— Kathleen Sokolowski, 3rd Grade Teacher, Saltzman East Memorial
The Heart of Gold program provided an opportunity for our students and staff to support a cause that was close to our hearts. We lost one of our dear students to cancer, and this program helped us honor her memory and the memories of others we have lost to cancer by purchasing hearts and placing them on our lockers and doors. We knew that our donations were going to help support families whose children were affected by cancer.
— John Grzywack, Principal, Upton Elementary School
I am so honored to be a part of The Heart of Gold Program. Jordan is a former student of mine and I am always so proud of all her accomplishments. Being part of the Heart of Gold program is something that means so much to our school. Each year, our school families, staff, and students come together to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer, and every year it seems to get bigger and better. It is such a heartwarming and rewarding experience to see everyone come together for such an important cause. I am so grateful that our school can be a small part of helping children and families affected by cancer. It truly makes me feel like we are doing a little something to make a difference.
— Angela Iannone, Sunquam Elementary School
My daughter Gianna has had the honor of being the ambassador of Whip Pediatric Cancer at her school for the past ten years. This all started when her brother was diagnosed with cancer and she wanted to help raise awareness at her school. What began as an effort to bring attention to childhood cancer has grown into a meaningful tradition that teaches students the importance of compassion, empathy, courage, and giving back. Through their participation, students have learned that even small acts of kindness can make a difference in the lives of children and families facing unimaginable challenges. It truly is heartwarming to see our school and community come together to support a wonderful cause of helping fund research and a cure for pediatric cancer… something so critically important that sadly receives very little funding from the government. To mark Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, every September the school district asks everyone to wear yellow or gold to honor all children battling, the survivors, and those who gained their angel wings.
— Diana Lorusso, Hauppauge High School
This is what having a Heart of Gold looks like.
September is pediatric cancer awareness month.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, making it the most meaningful time to bring your school community together for children fighting cancer.
While most children are sitting in classrooms, laughing with friends, and looking forward to recess, thousands of children are spending their days in hospital rooms undergoing chemotherapy, surgeries, procedures, and scans.
Throughout September, schools across the country can help shine a light on a disease that receives far too little attention.
By participating in Heart of Gold, your students turn awareness into action.
Three powerful reasons to say yes.
For Your Students
Heart of Gold gives students a hands-on lesson in kindness, generosity, awareness, and service. Kindergarteners create works of art. Older students write messages that make people stop and read twice. Every grade makes the program its own, and every student walks away understanding that they are capable of making a difference.
For Children Fighting Cancer
Every heart helps Whip Pediatric Cancer fund critical childhood cancer research and quality-of-life programs for children in treatment. Your support helps provide care packages, birthday celebrations, hospital visits, family support, joyful experiences, and meaningful moments during incredibly difficult days. These are real things delivered to real children.
For Your School
Your Heart of Gold Wall becomes a September display that families, teachers, and students will stop to admire and photograph. It is a visible symbol of your school's values. It shows your entire community that your school leads with compassion and truly has a Heart of Gold.
“When I grow up I want to find a cure for cancer.” — written by a student
GIVE ME FIVE
Heart of Gold is built around one simple number: Five.
Because making a difference does not always require something enormous. Sometimes, changing someone's world begins with five small acts of kindness.
Five Minutes
Take five minutes to decorate your Heart of Gold. Students can write their names, create their own artwork, or add a message of hope and encouragement for a child fighting cancer.
Every heart is different. Every heart matters.
Suggested $5 Donation
Students are invited to ask a parent or guardian to make a suggested $5 donation through their school's personalized Heart of Gold fundraising page. Every dollar helps Whip Pediatric Cancer support children and families facing pediatric cancer.
Every student is encouraged to take part, whether or not their family is able to give.
Five Lessons
- You're Never Too Young to Make a Difference.Whip Pediatric Cancer began because one 16-year-old chose to act instead of waiting until she grew up. You do not need to be an adult to change someone's life. You simply have to care enough to start.
- Kids Helping Kids Changes the World.There is something incredibly powerful about children choosing to help other children. When kindness begins in one classroom, it can spread through an entire school, family, and community. One act of compassion inspires another.
- Small Acts Can Make a Big Impact.You do not need to donate millions of dollars to change the world. Sometimes a suggested $5 donation, a decorated heart, or a kind message is enough to remind someone that they are not alone. Small acts matter.
- Together, Small Things Become Big Things.One heart may be a piece of paper. Hundreds of hearts become a wall of hope. One classroom becomes one school. One school becomes a movement. When people come together, small acts of kindness can become something extraordinary.
- Awareness Is the First Step to Change.Not every family can give financially, and that is okay. By learning about childhood cancer, talking about it, and displaying a gold heart, students are helping children fighting cancer feel seen, remembered, and supported. Awareness matters. Every heart matters.
High Five Challenge
Tell five people that gold is the color of childhood cancer awareness. Tell a friend. Tell a grandparent. Tell a teacher. Tell a neighbor. Tell someone who may have never known.
Every conversation helps another child and family feel seen. Then give someone a high five for having a Heart of Gold.
The Give Me Five Challenge
Before September is over — tap each one as you go:
- Decorate your Heart of Gold.
- Ask for a suggested $5 donation.
- Learn the five lessons.
- Tell five people that gold represents childhood cancer awareness.
- Give someone a high five for having a Heart of Gold.
Five minutes. Five dollars. Five lessons. Five conversations. One Heart of Gold.
The Heart of GOLD Program was built around one Heart of GOLD.
"You are never too little to make a BIG difference."
I started Whip Pediatric Cancer when I was just 16 years old because I saw children fighting cancer and decided I couldn’t wait until I was older to help.
I didn’t have a large organization behind me. I simply had a heart that cared enough to begin.
That one decision became Whip Pediatric Cancer, a nonprofit that has now spent more than a decade standing beside children and families during some of the hardest moments of their lives.
Heart of Gold carries that very same spirit into schools. My hope is that every student discovers what I learned at 16: age has never been a requirement for compassion.
Because when one young person chooses to care, an entire world can begin to change.
Anyone, anywhere can donate.
Your school's impact does not have to stop at $5 per student.
Families can share the school's giving page with grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, coworkers, and family friends. Parents can post the link on social media. Local businesses can support the campaign.
Some of the most generous supporters may be people who have never stepped inside your school but believe deeply in what your students are doing.
Casual for a Cause
Students give $5 — and teachers can get in on it too. Host a Casual for a Cause Friday: staff donate $5 to dress down (or go gold!) and stand with their students.
Wear Your Support
Show the world your school stands with kids fighting cancer.
Purchase a Whip Pediatric Cancer T-Shirt The Heart of Gold Plaque.
When your school reaches its fundraising goal, you will receive a Heart of Gold Plaque to proudly display.
The plaque is more than an award. It is a lasting reminder that your students chose compassion, kindness, and service. It shows future students, families, and visitors that your school stood beside children fighting cancer and helped create meaningful change.
Your Heart of Gold Wall may come down after September. Your plaque allows that impact to remain.
Frequently asked questions.
Everything schools ask us about Heart of Gold, all in one place. If you still need a hand, get in touch and we will help you out.
Getting Started
What is the Heart of Gold Program?
Heart of Gold is a school-based program that teaches students they are never too little to make a BIG difference.
Each student receives a gold paper heart to decorate with their name, artwork, or a message of encouragement for a child fighting cancer. Schools then display the hearts together to create a Heart of Gold Wall.
Students are invited to ask a parent or guardian for a suggested $5 donation, but a donation is never required to participate. Every heart belongs on the wall.
How do I find my school's giving page?
Click the button below and search by your school's name or town. Selecting your school takes you straight to its personalized Heart of Gold giving page.
Tip: share your school's page with parents, grandparents, family members, friends, staff, local businesses, and your community. Anyone can donate.
Do I need to create my school's giving page?
No. Once your school registers for Heart of Gold, Whip Pediatric Cancer creates your school's personalized giving page for you. Just search for your school to find it.
How long does it take for our Heart of Gold kit to arrive?
Most Heart of Gold packages arrive in less than one week after registration. Please allow additional time depending on your location and shipping conditions.
What comes in our Heart of Gold kit?
Your kit includes the gold paper hearts you requested for your students, so your school can participate and create its Heart of Gold Wall.
Additional program resources, including the parent letter and lesson plans for grades K-8 and 9-12, are available right here on the Heart of Gold page.
Donations & Your Giving Page
Is the $5 donation required?
Absolutely not. $5 is the suggested donation per heart, but every student should be included regardless of whether their family is able to donate.
A child should never be excluded because they cannot give. Every heart matters.
Do families have to donate for their child's heart to be displayed?
No. We cannot emphasize this enough: a donation is suggested, never required.
Every student who decorates a Heart of Gold should be included in the school's display, regardless of whether their family donated.
What if we don't want to use the online giving page?
That is completely okay. Schools may collect donations directly and send one check to Whip Pediatric Cancer.
Please make checks payable to Whip Pediatric Cancer, 290 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge, NY 11788.
Include your school's name with the check so we can credit your donation to the correct Heart of Gold campaign.
Can families donate with cash or checks instead of online?
Yes. Your school may collect donations directly and submit them together. If your school collects cash, please convert the total to a school check before mailing it to Whip Pediatric Cancer.
Where does the money go?
Every dollar raised through Heart of Gold helps Whip Pediatric Cancer support children and families affected by pediatric cancer.
Funds help support critical childhood cancer research and quality-of-life programs for children in treatment, including care packages, birthday celebrations, hospital visits, family support, special experiences, and meaningful moments that let kids feel like kids, not just patients.
Your students are making a real difference for real children fighting cancer.
Can parents share our giving page on social media?
Please do! Your school's giving page can be shared far beyond your school community. Parents can send it to family and friends or post it on social media.
One share can introduce hundreds of people to pediatric cancer awareness and your students' incredible effort.
Goals & The Plaque
Why is our fundraising goal based on $5 per student?
Heart of Gold is built around the idea that small acts become something extraordinary when we do them together.
If 250 students each raise $5, that is $1,250 for kids fighting cancer. Your goal is something to work toward, not a requirement to participate.
Can we raise more than our goal?
Yes, please do! Your school's impact does not have to stop at $5 per student. Share your giving page with your entire community: grandparents, relatives, neighbors, coworkers, alumni, and local businesses can all participate.
There is no limit to how much your school can raise.
What happens if our school reaches its fundraising goal?
Schools that reach their Heart of Gold fundraising goal receive a Heart of Gold Plaque to proudly display at their school.
Your Heart of Gold Wall may eventually come down, but the plaque is a lasting reminder that your students came together to help children fighting cancer.
What if our school doesn't reach its fundraising goal?
You still made a difference. Heart of Gold is about so much more than a number. Your students learned about compassion, childhood cancer awareness, generosity, and the power they have to help another child.
Every heart matters. Every dollar matters. Every student matters.
Hearts & Your Heart of Gold Wall
What should students put on their hearts?
Anything from the heart. Students can write their names, draw pictures, decorate them, or write messages of encouragement for children fighting cancer.
There is no perfect Heart of Gold. We want students to make each heart their own.
What do we do with the hearts when they are finished?
Create your school's Heart of Gold Wall. Display the decorated hearts together in a hallway, classroom, cafeteria, lobby, or another visible area of your school.
Hundreds of individual hearts together become a powerful visual reminder of what can happen when an entire school chooses kindness.
Do we send the decorated hearts back to Whip Pediatric Cancer?
No. The hearts are meant to be displayed at your school as your Heart of Gold Wall.
How long should we keep our Heart of Gold Wall up?
That is completely up to your school. Many schools display their hearts throughout September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, but you are welcome to keep your wall up for as long as you would like.
We ran out of hearts. Can we get more?
Yes! If more students want to participate or you underestimated how many hearts you would need, you can request additional hearts.
We want every student who would like to participate to have a heart.
Timing & Who Can Take Part
Can we participate if September has already started?
Yes! You do not have to begin on September 1. Schools can join at any point during the month.
Don't skip Heart of Gold because you think you are too late. We would much rather have your students participate than miss the opportunity altogether.
Can we participate during a month other than September?
Yes! September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which is why Heart of Gold is traditionally celebrated then, but pediatric cancer does not stop when September ends and neither does our mission.
If another month works better for your school, classroom, organization, or community, you are absolutely welcome to participate then.
Is Heart of Gold only for elementary schools?
No. Heart of Gold can be adapted for students of different ages. Younger students may draw pictures and decorate their hearts, while older students can write meaningful messages, learn about pediatric cancer, participate in service projects, and help lead fundraising efforts.
Lesson plans are available for grades K-8 and grades 9-12.
Can preschools, homeschool groups, clubs, or other organizations participate?
Yes! Heart of Gold is about kids helping kids. Schools are the heart of the program, but we welcome groups that want to teach young people about compassion, service, and making a difference.
Can teachers and staff participate too?
Absolutely. Heart of Gold is for the entire school community. Teachers and staff can decorate hearts, donate, share the giving page, wear gold, or even host a Casual for a Cause day where staff donate $5 to dress down or wear gold.
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