Donations – Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses

APHON Donations

Your contribution to APHON strengthens our mission to advance the practice of pediatric hematology/oncology nursing. Donations directly support professional development opportunities, educational initiatives, and critical resources that empower nurses to deliver the highest standard of care to children, adolescents, and their families. Invest in the future of our profession—make a difference today.

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Thank You to Our Donors

Because of you, APHON can continue to empower pediatric hematology/oncology nurses, provide vital educational resources, and support the care of children and adolescents with blood disorders and cancer.

Each gift to the Star Fund—big or small—makes a lasting impact.

APHON Mission & Vision

Mission
To support and advance nurses in optimizing outcomes for children, adolescents, young adults, and their families throughout the continuum of care for their blood disorders and cancers.

Vision
Pediatric hematology and oncology nurses are setting, advocating for, and achieving the highest standards of care for children, adolescents, young adults, and their families.

Your Impact
With your support, we can continue building a global community of knowledgeable, well-resourced nurses working to improve survival and quality of life for young patients everywhere.

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Inspiration behind the APHON Star: The Starfish Story

You may have noticed the starfish in the “O” of the APHON logo. This symbol is deeply meaningful to our organization—it’s inspired by The Star Thrower, an essay by Loren Eiseley, and the timeless story it tells:

An man had a habit of early morning walks on the beach. One day, after a storm, he saw a human figure in the distance moving like a dancer.
As he came closer he saw that it was a woman and she was not dancing but was reaching down to the sand, picking up starfish and very gently throwing them into the ocean.
“Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” he asked
“The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I do not throw them in they will die.”
“Do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it? You cannot possibly make a difference.”
The woman listened, paused and then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves, saying,
“It made a difference for that one.”

Adapted from “The Star Thrower” by Loren Eiseley, originally published in The Unexpected Universe (1969).

This story beautifully reflects the mission of APHON—to make a meaningful difference, one nurse, one child, one family at a time. It’s this very spirit that inspired the creation of the Star Fund.

The Star Fund supports critical APHON initiatives, including professional development, educational resources, and support for pediatric hematology/oncology nurses. Each donation to the fund helps extend APHON’s reach, ensuring that our members can continue making a difference in the lives of the patients and families they serve.

APHON’s Global Outreach Initiative

APHON’s Global Outreach Initiative works to bridge the gap in pediatric hematology/oncology nursing care worldwide. With a focus on increasing access to critical education and resources, this initiative supports nurses in low- and middle-income countries who care for children and adolescents with cancer and blood disorders. Your donation helps provide international chemotherapy/biotherapy courses, conference scholarships, and year-round educational support—improving outcomes and saving lives across the globe.