Daniel Aronsohn, an Agoura High School senior, is holding a fundraiser this Friday at Los Robles Hospital for women who have undergone breast cancer surgery. His goal is to raise money for a special garment patients can wear to make their recovery more comfortable.
Daniel was just 14 when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. Since her diagnosis, Audrey Aronsohn was forced to undergo six surgeries at Los Robles.
"I saw what she was going through and how difficult it was," he said. "But it was also tough for me and my family to watch her struggle."
After reading about the Softee post mastectomy forms in a magazine, "he made it his mission to buy them for women at Los Robles," said Audrey.
"I knew it wasn't going to cure the problem, but at least it would help make these women as comfortable as possible," said the 17-year-old philanthopist.
His objective began on a small scale by asking for donations from friends and family and hitting up people at ball games. He was also able to make a deal with the Oregon-based SofteeUSA by purchasing the specialty garment in bulk.
"I've been working with a woman there and she offers me a discount," said Daniel.
He has managed to recruit his younger brother, Joshua, 13, as well as friends from the high school and Lindero Canyon Middle School to help in his endeavor.
To date, Daniel and his crew have delivered an estimated 30 boxes to the hospital since 2009.
In 2011, Daniel created AJ's Comfort Zone, an official non-profit organization, with the ultimate goal of bringing the product to hospitals across the country.
"Right now, I'm training everyone in my group to continue this, and hopefully, when they go off to college, they can help out hospitals near their schools," he said.
For the first time, Daniel's organization is holding a "Holiday Boutique" at Los Robles to help raise funds. With generous donations from businesses like Carol Solomon's Gallery, Sweet XO and the Hallmark store–thanks to the efforts of Joshua and his friends–the fundraiser will offer high quality items for sale.
The boutique will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be located in front of the hospital's gift shop.
"I'm so grateful that I have children that think outside of themselves," said Audrey, who is fully recovered.
