The sisters are, again, following David's example. The first Christmas after he was diagnosed, all he wanted was to give gifts to other kids with cancer.

"So we want to do the whole Christmas idea, except do it every month," Austin said.

David's KIDS also hopes to get other young people, such as those in Girls and Boy Scouts and church groups, involved in projects to benefit others. They're encouraging them to get involved in any of three ways:

Give gifts and goody bags to siblings of cancer patients for a month.

$9 on the 9th: Have a fundraiser and ask groups to donate nine dollars, quarters, nickels or pennies to families with children with cancer. McConnell said the group chose the number 9 because that's how many families are served currently, and the amount isn't overwhelming.

Hold a bake sale: David wanted to be a chef, so his sisters want to focus on his interest in food.

More information about David's KIDS is available online at fairygodmother project.org/davids-kids .html, by calling the Fairy Godmother Project at 540/751-8347 or at vafg2011@gmail.com.

Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com