ANN ARBOR, Mich. – While in the midst of her battle with medulloblastoma, Harper Mathis is always thinking about others.
A year after she was diagnosed with the rare brain cancer in 2020, Harper started a toy drive for patients at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
“When we drop the toys off, it is an amazing experience,” she said.
This year is Harper’s largest toy drive ever, collecting between two to three thousand toys, she shared.
The Ann Arbor Police Department has been a major supporter of her efforts to lift spirits.
Officers loaded up their vehicles with toys and drove them to the hospital Wednesday afternoon.
Harper’s mother, Shellie Mathis, is a police officer with the department.
“This is where I get extremely emotional because for me to be her full-time caregiver, I could not do this without the support of my police family,” Shellie said.
Officers have donated their sick leave to Shellie so she can care for Harper and not worry about her job.
“I think this goes to show. This isn’t just a place where people work every day, this is really a family,” AAPD Interim Police Chief Patrick Maguire said.
Shellie said she finds inspiration in her daughter.
“She is amazing. She is the most kind-hearted, strong, inspirational child ever and she just melts my heart every day,” Shellie said.
For Harper, she just wants to return the love that she has received from her community.
“I will always give back and try to give back as much as I can because I have had a lot of help throughout my journey,” Harper said.
For more information about Harper’s journey, follow her Facebook page.
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