As a mom, White Bear Lake High School alum Tanya Rodriques understands the importance of loving and believing in kids. That’s why she started the Little Warriors Project in December 2015; she heard too many stories of children and their families struggling with cancer, and she wanted to do a little something to help. “I read on social media and in other places where sick kids are described as ‘little warriors,’” she says. “I thought…that’s perfect; they really are little warriors.” Rodriques is also a graphic designer and the owner of Honey Design Co., and she knew she could use her talent to create something meaningful for kids. Rodriques’ goal is simple—to create enough T-shirts that say ‘little warrior’ to give to any sick child who wants one.
The project started out with just 100 shirts donated to the Children’s Hospital of Minneapolis, but it has now surpassed over 600 shirts given to various organizations and individuals all over the country. Families can request a shirt on the Little Warriors website, and the Rodriques family handles the printing and shipping. The project runs completely on generous donations, which can also be made at littlewarrior.org. Rodriques wants to help these families rest a little easier—one T-shirt at a time.
Ellie Shoup (pictured above), age 5, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 10 months of age. You can follow her courageous journey on her facebook page.
