Shortly after ... two year old Rosemary Frances Johnson passed away from neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, her parents Greg Johnson, Patricia Ann Heaton and grandmother ... Grandma Pat Hedgeman co- founded the Rosie's Love organization. Patti Anne actually named the organization Rosie's Love because of the great love Rosie had for all of the children she met while she was a patient at Albany Medical Center. Grandma Pat remembers Rosie's face lighting up when she was brought into the Morrell Clinic waiting room and playing with the older children who were also being treated for childhood cancers. "Rosie loved those children dearly ... and they loved her."
	It was that love that fostered the idea of starting the "Rosie's Love" organization.   After Rosie had passed away, the family wanted to give something back. The family decided, " ... the love Rosie received when she was being treated at Albany Medical Center is the love we would like to give back in her memory." Since that time, the organization has been dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children who are diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening illness. Rosie's Love also provides much needed support to the families of these children. Rosie's Love works with the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center.
Volunteer and GrandMa Pat (on right) working at the "Christmas Shop" in the Pediatric Cancer clinic.
Our Mission: To provide each child and their families opportunities which will improve the quality of life experiences through this difficult time period. Examples of Our Work Include: Organization and establishment of support groups and other out of hospital events for childhood cancer patients and their families. Providing meals and refreshments to hospitalized children and their families on weekends and special holidays like the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas; Donating much needed arts and crafts supplies which children use while being treated at the Albany Medical Center's Children Hospital; and Sponsoring Albany Medical Centers "Christmas Shop" so that children can pick out presents for their parents and siblings.