A Helping Hand: Savvy Giving by Design

November 26, 2018 12:15 pm

Reporting by: Doreen Scanlon

Twitter: DScanlonABC6

NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WLNE)— Cancer is annoying. After two years, thirty two rounds of chemo and so many surgeries they’ve lost count, that is one thing Julia Powers, 10, and her family know for sure.

“I still haven’t processed this,” said Anne Powers. “I still can’t believe she got diagnosed with cancer. I can’t.”

Julia was just 8 when they discovered she had Osteosarcoma in her right leg. The diagnosis could have meant amputation for the North Smithfield girl.

“She could have lost her leg. It could have been a lot worse. We caught it early, thank God,” Powers explained.

Julia still has her leg and is now cancer free. Today she gets around with a walker, but is still dealing with medical complications.

“She missed all of third grade. A lot of 4th and some of fifth grade now,” said Powers.

Julia spends a lot of time recovering by creating artwork in her room and by reading.

“It distracted me, but then I ran out of books,” Julia said.

Her current bedroom is overflowing with books and stuffed animals and isn’t very easy to get around. Janelle Blakely Photopoulos is hoping to fix that.

“I wanted to utilize my design skills for the community and to give back a little bit,” she told ABC6 News.

The interior designer has started the Rhode Island chapter of a charity called ‘Savvy Giving by Design.’ The goal is to bring comfort, support and healing to children that are facing a medical crisis by transforming their spaces at no cost to them or their family. Julia is the first recipient to get a bedroom makeover!

“[Julia] loves all things magical and animals. She loves Harry Potter and she loves unicorns and horses. So, we are looking to design a space for her that places off a whimsical, magical place,” explained Blakely Photopoulos.

It’ll be more accessible as well, and get this, Julia’s 13-year-old brother, Thomas, is getting a new room too! He’s been right by Julia’s side through it all.

“It’s been pretty stressful and pretty sad at the same time but since she’s recovered now. It’s good,” said Thomas.

Attorney Mike Bottaro is helping kick off ‘Savvy Giving by Design’s’ fundraising efforts by giving the charity ‘A Helping Hand’ of one thousand dollars.

“At our law firm, we represent injured people so every day, we see people that have been through rough times,” said Bottaro. “I think it’s an amazing cause. What a cool idea to use your gifts, your god–given gifts.

“I think I smiled for ten minutes. I was so happy because it’s just one less thing,” said Powers.

If you’d like to help, connect with Savvy Giving by Design at: https://savvygivingbydesign.org/julias-room/ You can also check out the charity on FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SGBDrhodeisland Or make a nomination at: https://savvygivingbydesign.org/nominaterhodeisland