Austin Hatcher Foundation Forpediatric Cancer

Industrial arts division features fabrication of objects in wood or metal using a variety of hand, power, or machine tools. Our program also includes small engine repair and automobile maintenance programs. These programs expose children to the basics of home repair, manual craftsmanship, and machine safety.

The diversionary therapy / healthy lifestyle division provides familes faced with pediatric cancer with specialized activities that promote the involvement of leisure, recreation and play by reducing barriers. These opportunities promote self-esteem, personal fulfillment, psychological, social, intellectual and spiritual/cultural well-being. This division provides children and fmailies with the opportunity to make time to live and provide a discovery of life. The diversionary therapy / healthy lifestyle division is also designed to equip children with the knowledge necessary to make healthy lifestyle choices today that will reduce their risk of cancer tomorrow. The division addresses four key risk factors that contribute to 65% of cancer diagnoses. These risk factors are obesity, tobacco use, sedentary lifestyle and sun overexposure. "fueling potential: racing to win" uses a racing metaphor that is designed to teach children in grades k-5 how to provide their bodies with the best fuel (by choosing appropriate foods for obesity prevention), keep their engine strong (by exercising appropriately), achieve optimal performance (saying no to tobacco products), and keep their car bright and shiny (taking the appropriate sun safety precautions to prevent melanoma).