Hey, y’all! Normally in this section I write a little something about myself, but I want to turn the mic over to someone else.

Her name is Ebony. She’s a former DoSomething member who later became our writing intern here in New York. Below she talks about spending extended time in the hospital as a kid, how a special stranger did something simple to brighten her day, and how you can do the same for others.

Read Ebony’s story -- I think you’ll find it heartwarming, moving, and inspiring too.

Let’s Do This,
Ben, Editor-in-chief

How Strangers Brightened Ebony’s Day When She Was in the Hospital

And how you can do the same for others.

Ebony, a former DoSomething member (and intern), was diagnosed with sickle cell disease when she was three months old. She spent a lot of time in the hospital missing her friends, missing school, and generally feeling anxious or sad.

“But, whenever someone would do something nice and unexpected for me, those negative feelings would melt away,” she says.

Ebony remembers the get-well cards from her class. The puzzles her friends brought her. And, most of all, a blanket a local woman made for her before her first blood transfusion.

“That blanket meant the world to me,” says Ebony. “Having the support of a stranger helped me get through some of the toughest days of my childhood and teenage years.”

You can do something for children in hospitals too, through our Huddle to Brighten Someone’s Day campaign, powered by NFL Huddle for 100. Join thousands of young people making fun activity books so children who are hospitalized can play games like tic-tac-toe, trivia, and mad libs.

“By making them an activity book,” Ebony says, “You’re taking their mind off the anxiety that comes with being in the hospital, and giving them the hope and courage they need to keep fighting whatever it is they’re going through.”

Amelia (back row, third from the right) posted our affirmation tear sheets in her local middle school. Students stepped up to tear, share, and spread good vibes to drown out negativity. You can too!

• Our cleanups went global… as members picked up litter all over the world, from Annika, 18, in India to Tochukwu, 15, in Nigeria!

• We’re actually in tears… because our super talented members are designing the most inspiring, incredible STEM Superheroes EVER.

• Time to go shopping… for DoSomething member Saydie, who won a Hollister gift card for spreading positivity in her California community.

• When you join the Global Climate Strike… on September 20, give props to 19-year-old Katie Eder.

• We took matters into our own hands… when Forbes’ list of America’s Most Innovative Leaders only included one woman, so put together our own list featuring 50 amazing women leaders.

• The writing’s (literally) on the wall… with tons of good vibes, thanks to this Cancel Bullying mural colored by students during High School Nation’s Lunch Series.

• Look good and do good… when you round-up on your order of these Hollister anti-bullying tees, which benefit DoSomething.

• The coolest 11-year-old in the world is… Omari McQueen, who became the youngest restaurateur in the world when he spent a week running his own pop-up restaurant in London.

• Today in viral cuteness… these two toddlers running to greet each other will melt your heart and make you believe in a world that is good and wholesome and pure.

We Asked, You Answered

Last week, we asked you to brag about amazing stuff you’re doing, and you did not disappoint. Here are three of our favorite answers. (And submit yours here!)

“I was invited and attended Elite Advanced Space Academy in Huntsville Alabama where I completed 8 days worth of fun such as an 8 hour simulated over night mission, SCUBA, centrifuge, multi-axis trainer, studying and learning about space history and other space-nerd topics, as well as creating one of the best families in just 8 days! It's my all time goal, dream, and passion to become an astronaut and to have such great people in my life is one of the best things I could ever ask for!” - Alexis, California

“My school did not have a medical club and I know tons of people who are interested in the medical field. I ended up brainstorming and creating ideas over the summer with friends to create a medical field club. I want to be a neurosurgeon in the future so Thisbe was very exciting for me. Some teachers are helping me by providing machines to help expand this club with cool activities such as calculating your blood pressure and so much more. I can officially say that I have started my own club at my high school named the medical field club with 40+ people in it!” - Michelle, California

“Donated thousands of pounds of food, hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars to end food insecurity!” - Ryan, California

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