Every penny helps

Youngster shares hard-earned allowance to help cure cancer

BY Allison Ignacio

Colin Breiter and mom, Katherine Breiter, M.D. Photo courtesy of Breiter family.

Like any other 8-year-old boy, Colin Breiter works hard to earn his allowance.

"I check the kitties' food and water," says Colin, of Morganton, N.C. "Their names are Fluffy and Polka Dot. I also scoop their boxes and keep them clean."

Unlike most kids his age, however, Colin isn't spending all of his cash on himself. His parents require that he donate 10% of his $5 weekly allowance to charity. This year, Colin decided to donate $26, one year's worth of allowance allotted for charity, to MD Anderson's Annual Fund.

"I was touched and impressed," says Eric Breiter, M.D., Colin's father. "It was sweet that he chose a charity associated with his mother's treatment."

Katherine Breiter, M.D., Colin's mother, is a breast cancer survivor and MD Anderson patient. Since her diagnosis, Colin has been looking for a way to give back, not only in her honor but also to help children with cancer.

"I wanted to help cure cancer," says Colin. "I want other kids to know there's a way."

"Every penny helps," says his dad. "That's what I tell Colin. It's not so important how much you give but that you care enough to give something."

"It's not so important how much you give but that you care enough to give something."

Eric Breiter, M.D.

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