Bimbo's Buddies
PO Box 3027
Long Branch, NJ 07740
BimbosBu
Our Mission
Bimbo’s Buddies® mission is to offer hope and courage to all pediatric cancer patients by providing free copies of
You can help us to achieve our mission by donating to:
Bimbo’s Buddies, P.O. Box 3027, Long Branch, NJ 07740
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit NJ charitable corporation
Bimbo’s Buddies proudly
Dogs Get Cancer, Too
This sweet young girl bravely battled her cancer. Sadly, she was taken from her family & friends on April 27, 2011. We will always remember dear Sara for her incredible spirit and cheerful outlook on life. Rest in peace, little one.
Sara Elyse Corbelli (1998 - 2011) holding her ‘advance copy’ of Dogs Get Cancer, Too and a plush toy that resembles Bimbo
"Dogs Get Cancer, Too is a good book to explain and understand what "they" (kids/dogs) go through. The glossary is a good thing because some of the words need to be explained to kids. It probably would have helped me at the beginning but since I am almost done, it's pretty much everything that happened to me." – Sara C.
Thank you, Sara!
Our History
Bimbo was my American Staffordshire Terrier. After being diagnosed with lymphoma in 1995 she was treated with chemotherapy. Six months after Bimbo’s diagnosis, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. As my oncologist described the chemotherapy drugs I would be given, I thought of Bimbo and how well she was tolerating her treatments. I was determined to do the same. Bimbo and I traveled through cancer and chemotherapy side-by-side.
Dogs are not afraid of the ‘word’ cancer. They have no preconceived notions about life, death and survival. Bimbo took each new day as it was presented to her. She didn’t look back on yesterday and never worried about tomorrow. I learned a lot from Bimbo. I wanted to share her story, but how?
Fortunately, most young children are not familiar with the word cancer. Like Bimbo, they have no preconceived ideas about its meaning. When confronted with cancer, a child will mirror the feelings of his/her parents, siblings, grandparents, schoolmates and friends. The child might feel guilty for upsetting the family or become afraid because his/her loved ones are afraid.
Bimbo’s Buddies® was formed in 2002 to offer hope and emotional support to children fighting a grown-up battle with a devastating disease. I wrote a picture book, Dogs Get Cancer, Too, in which Bimbo encourages the children in the story to share their fears, while enabling them to see there is a positive side to everything, even cancer.
Bimbo’s Buddies® helps children to identify with Bimbo and express their feelings, letting them know they are not alone.
In January 2004, Bimbo’s Buddies® was accepted as a mentee of The Ben Appelbaum Foundation, a New York City based organization that offers its mentees the benefits of the cumulative professional experience of their board of trustees as well as dozens of volunteer mentors. The networking opportunities offered by The Ben Appelbaum Foundation have added immeasurable value to this project, and ensured that my dream became a reality.
In February 2004, Bimbo’s Buddies® was awarded a generous grant from The Beez Foundation, to hire an artist, Shayna Skolnik, to illustrate Dogs Get Cancer ,Too. Shayna's captivating illustrations brought Bimbo to life on the page, with a perfect balance of humor, whimsy and emotion.
Dogs Get Cancer ,Too is now available, thanks to several generous donors. Please click on our Thank You page to learn more about our loyal supporters.
Donations will be used to fulfill the mission of printing and distributing copies of the picture book and a companion toy.
Bimbo’s Buddies® is incorporated as a non-profit in New Jersey and has received a favorable 501(c)(3) determination from IRS.
Ann M. Sheridan
Copyright 2013 Bimbo's Buddies. All rights reserved.
Bimbo's Buddies
PO Box 3027
Long Branch, NJ 07740
BimbosBu