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Ginger Dailey is pictured with her mother, Tammy, and John Dargan, Spartanburg Regional Foundation Senior Director of Philanthropy John Dargan.
Fourteen-year-old Ginger Dailey has created a yearly tradition: raising money through birthday presents.
For the third year in a row, Dailey has told her friends and family to forego birthday gifts and give money to the Spartanburg Regional Foundation’s Cancer Special Needs Fund for Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute. Ginger turned 14 on February 6.
“I had a birthday party with my family and with my friends from dance and school,” Ginger said. “They were a little shocked when they heard I didn’t want presents. They kept asking, ‘Are you sure?’”
Ginger was moved by the death of her maternal grandfather, “Papa,” who passed away in September of 2013. Ginger’s grandfather was cared for at Spartanburg Medical Center. She wanted to bring comfort to other patients who were battling the disease.
“I posted on Facebook about Ginger raising money for family members who don’t live nearby,” said Ginger’s mother, Tammy. “Two people who reached out to me to donate were actually cancer patients from Gibbs. One of them had been a friend of my father. They both talked about the great care they received at Gibbs and how they thought Ginger was doing a wonderful thing.”
This year, she raised more than $1,300, which supports special needs of cancer patients, such as medication, transportation and unexpected expenses.
“What Ginger has done for the last three years speaks volumes about her character and maturity,” said John Dargan, Spartanburg Regional Foundation Senior Director of Philanthropy. “Ginger is very passionate about remembering her grandfather while giving back to the community.”
Ginger is sometimes recognized in the community and by her teachers for raising money for cancer.
“It’s difficult to put into words about how it feels to help cancer patients,” Ginger said. “I just want to help others.”
Visit the Spartanburg Regional Foundation for more information or make a donation.
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