December 2004

Oklahaven gears up for 'Have‑A‑Heart' 2005 campaign

Bobbie Doscher (right) and Oklahaven have helped many children who have been given up by the medical profession. DCs around the world have a chance to help support the non‑profit organization during the 2005 "Have a Heart" campaign.

Chiropractic colleges and hundreds of chiropractic clinics across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom have already signed up for Oklahaven Children's Chiropractic Center's "Have‑A‑Heart" 2005 Campaign.

The event, held during the week of Valentine's Day, Feb. 9‑15, is the major fundraiser for the non‑profit organization which provides service to severely sick and handicapped children. Established in 1962, Oklahaven has helped thousands of patients a year, including many children given up as "hopeless" by traditional medicine.

Children diagnosed with such diverse conditions as cerebral palsy, asthma, growth disorders, and learning disabilities right down to autism have all shown an improved quality of life.

Oklahaven provides doctors who sign up for the Have A Heart campaign with:

*** A video that educates patients about the benefits of chiropractic for children and about success stories of the more severely challenged children.

*** Pamphlets about Oklahaven Children's Chiropractic Center.

*** "Hearts" to list donor's name and display in the waiting room, front desk or along the halls to patient rooms.

*** Information sheets with details and deadlines for the campaign.

The event procedures are simple and can be incorporated into any office setting. They include:

‑‑ Showing the video to patients while they are in the waiting room.

‑‑ Asking patients to sponsor a heart by giving a gift and writing their names on a heart to be displayed.

‑‑ Collecting donations

‑‑ Keeping a log of who donates and the amount.

‑‑ Sending Oklahaven a final report detailing the office's success.

After the "Have‑A‑Heart" event in Feb. 2003, a parent of one of Oklahaven's patients expressed her thanks to participating doctors.

"As a parent of a child with special needs, I want to thank Oklahaven and those that have helped them to help me. My gratitude in finding an organization dedicated to the healing of children is overwhelming," the woman said. "Since the first of the year, I have heard of this huge fundraiser Have‑A‑Heart. I did not realize what a big deal it was until I saw the response in the letters and donations as the center receives them when I took on this job to help. It is amazing what you have done for my child and the others that seek treatment from Oklahaven."

The woman, identified as Cyndi, mother of 14‑year old Josh, added, "Have‑A‑Heart shows the hearts of many. Your gifts help parents like me continue with treatments that help our children grow. Recently my son, whom I was informed by other professionals would probably never be able to read, is now reading at kindergarten‑1st grade level. I always felt he had the ability, but when you are told he can't you start believing he can't."

For more information or to sign up for "Have‑A‑Heart" 2005, visit www.chiropractic4kids.com.