Since high school, Sajan Shah has helped others — tutoring students, coaching tennis, volunteering at nursing homes.
The latter particularly made an impression on Shah, as he formed an emotional connection with the patients he was helping.
Sajan Shah, a junior biology student, launched the UToledo chapter of Project Sunshine, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope and support to pediatric patients through activity kits and companionship visits.
“I realized that all they really needed was someone to talk to and share stories with,” said Shah, now a UToledo junior studying biology. “They just need companionship. My interaction with these seniors, some of whom do not have family nearby or under hospice care, offered a distraction from their ailments and help pass the time.
“This was such a rewarding experience that I thought why not offer healing through play or distraction to kids as well. This is when I found Project Sunshine.”
Founded by Joe Weilgus in 1998 after the then-college student walked through a pediatric ward in a hospital and saw children sitting in their rooms with nothing to do, Project Sunshine is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hope and support to pediatric patients.
“According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play is proven to be one of the most effective methods in reducing stress in children and allows their minds and bodies to heal,” Shah said.
Project Sunshine does just that, through activity kits assembled and delivered to hospitalized children by Project Sunshine volunteers.
Just as Weilgus was inspired to create Project Sunshine to help children during a vulnerable time in their lives, Shah wanted to do the same.
Last fall he launched the UToledo chapter of Project Sunshine. More than 30 UToledo students showed up at the first meeting and 13ABC would also feature Project Sunshine during its Nov. 9 newscasts.
“I was pleasantly surprised” at the student turnout, Shah said. “The students here at UToledo have shown tremendous support for Project Sunshine. So far we have shipped 300 activity kits. These kits went to Brade’s Place in Utah, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in California and Children’s Wisconsin-Milwaukee Hospital. We are on schedule to deliver 300 more kits this semester.”
The next meeting of the UToledo chapter of Project Sunshine is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at the Student Recreation Center. Shah said the organization is looking for students to not only make the kits but to volunteer at Ebeid Children’s Hospital as well. For more information, visit the Project Sunshine event on Invonet.
“There is a rigorous process to be able to volunteer at the ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital,” he said. “So far, many members have completed the training, and we are getting ready to start companionship visits at local hospitals. I cannot thank everyone enough for their continuous support and commitment to this worthwhile organization.”
Volunteers are needed assemble activity kits at the next UToledo chapter of Project Sunshine event, 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Student Recreation Center.
“Project Sunshine has supported activities for our hospital for many years,” said Maria Gaskins, supervisor of Child Life at Ebeid Children’s Hospital. “We are excited to work with Sajan and the Project Sunshine group to bring in volunteers to do activities with the patients and families at the hospital. Our volunteers help to provide some much-needed distraction during the patients stay by providing opportunities for patients and families to participate in the Project Sunshine activities.”
Born and raised in Lambertville, Michigan, Shah said beginning his higher education journey at UToledo “was the best decision that I made.”
“UT offers all the benefits of a large university but with a personal touch,” he said. “When I first started here, I was amazed at how the advisors and faculty were so friendly and eager to help me succeed. Throughout my years at UT, not only have I grown academically, but I have also developed valuable leadership skills through my involvement in organizations like Student Government, Red Cross Club and Alpha Epsilon Delta.”
One of his mentors is Dr. Deborah Hendricks, director of the Pre-Health Advising Center, who remembers when Sajan came into her office to discuss starting UToledo’s chapter of Project Sunshine.
“The name of the organization describes the positive radiant light he brings to every room,” Hendricks said. “The Pre-Health Advising Center has been blessed to have Sajan as an active Rocket pre-med student. Since coming into the office in 2022, he has either led or participated in pre-med information sessions, wellness events such as mindfulness and yoga and served as both a mentee and mentor in PHAC Rocket2Rocket mentoring program. He looks for ways to help regardless of how busy his schedule might be.”
“I have watched him grow in his confidence as a leader, mentor, and future physician. He is a great role model and works daily to improve the human condition.”
Shah said that he hopes the UToledo chapter of Project Sunshine will live on after his time as a Rocket.
“I understand we cannot take away the pain, suffering and illnesses of the pediatric patients, but what we can do is offer a distraction and some comfort through our activity kits and companionship visits,” he said. “Our mission is to try to help them by bringing a little sunshine or healing through play when the children need it the most.”
