Emily Whitehead Foundation Delivers Hope and Support

 In a deeply meaningful homecoming, the Emily Whitehead Foundation recently delivered 25 “Believe Bundles” to patients receiving cancer care at Mount Nittany Health. While the donation provides support to local individuals currently undergoing treatment, the heart of the initiative lies in the profound personal connection between the Whitehead family and Mount Nittany Health.

Emily Whitehead received a portion of her medical care at Mount Nittany Health during her own fight against cancer. At just five years old, Emily was diagnosed with pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia. When standard treatment options were exhausted, Emily became the first child in the world to receive CAR T-cell therapy in 2012. Today, her family’s return to support current patients at Mount Nittany Health marks a powerful, full-circle moment of healing, community and hope.

Transforming their family’s personal trial into a mission of service, Emily’s parents, Tom and Kari Whitehead, established the Emily Whitehead Foundation. Today, the Foundation supports patients and caregivers affected by cancer and rare diseases, and advocates for all patients who can be treated with advanced therapies.

“Returning to Mount Nittany Health to deliver Believe Bundles is deeply personal for Kari and me,” said Tom Whitehead, co-founder of the Emily Whitehead Foundation. “Mount Nittany Health was a vital part of Emily’s care during her battle with cancer, so coming back here to support current patients feels like coming full circle. We know how terrifying and exhausting the fight against cancer can be. Our hope is that these Believe Bundles offer patients and caregivers a tangible reminder that they aren't alone and that there is always hope.”

The Believe Bundle program fits seamlessly into the Foundation’s overarching mission. Recognizing firsthand how difficult a cancer diagnosis can be for the entire family, the Foundation’s patient community selects fun, practical and comforting items for individuals actively undergoing treatment. More than a gift bag, each Believe Bundle offers a moment of joy while serving as a tangible reminder that patients are wrapped in the support of a broader community. To date, the Emily Whitehead Foundation has distributed over 1,400 Believe Bundles through 40 hospital partnerships nationwide.

For Mount Nittany Health, the partnership highlights an essential truth in cancer care: supporting a patient requires addressing both their medical and emotional needs. While a care package cannot change a diagnosis, it offers light, encouragement and a reminder of community support on difficult days – aligning with Mount Nittany Health Cancer Care’s holistic approach to supporting patients and their loved ones.

“At Mount Nittany Health, we know that compassionate cancer care extends well beyond medical treatments,” said Kathleen Rhine, President and CEO of Mount Nittany Health. “The Whitehead family’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and hope, and having them return to Mount Nittany Health to support our current patients is incredibly meaningful. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and for the warmth these Believe Bundles bring to our community.”

For oncology navigators on the front lines, the impact of these personal gestures is both professional and personal.

“Navigating a cancer diagnosis is one of the most challenging experiences a family can endure,” said Leslie Finton, Mount Nittany Health Oncology Navigator and mother of a childhood cancer survivor. “Having walked that path with my own daughter, I know how much even the smallest gesture of comfort means when you are in the middle of treatment. A Believe Bundle reminds our patients that they aren’t fighting alone, and that there is a whole community of people holding them in their hearts.”