Lemieux Foundation Announces Austin’s Playroom Trio of Bangles Bracelet for Mother’s Day!

PITTSBURGH — April 20, 2015 — The Mario Lemieux Foundation announced today they are offering an “Austin’s Playroom Trio of Bangles” Bracelet for Mother’s Day to benefit Austin’s Playroom Project.  The trio of silver bangles handmade bracelets, created by Rachel’s Cure by Design, features the Mario Lemieux Foundation “hand and glove” charm, a handmade glass black and gold bead, a silver “hope” charm and a “made with love” charm.  The set of three bangle bracelets is available for $66.00 at mlf.docker.localhost for a limited time only.

 Austin’s Playroom Project is an initiative of the Mario Lemieux Foundation that seeks to benefit families and improve the quality of a child’s hospital experience whether as a visitor or patient by furnishing cheerful playrooms that are safe, calming and comfortable.  Austin’s Playroom Project was created as a result of Nathalie and Mario Lemieux’s personal experience while caring for their infant son, Austin.  In 1996, Austin was born profoundly premature and spent 71 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  While they were caring for Austin, there was nothing to engage his sisters, who were both toddlers at the time.  It was then Mario and Nathalie realized a need for playrooms and began their plan to establish Austin’s Playroom Project. 

Rachel’s Cure by Design was created by Rachel Tobin after learning of her diagnosis with T1D (type 1 diabetes) in 2005 at age 12. She began designing and selling a unique collection of handmade beaded jewelry to donate a portion of proceeds to JDRF in support of research for a cure. Today, Rachel’s Cure By Design is a thriving social entrepreneurship located in Pittsburgh that offers more than 160 unique styles of high-quality, glass, gem, leather and beaded bracelets and other jewelry.  

The Mario Lemieux Foundation was created in 1993 after hockey legend and NHL Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux survived Hodgkin’s disease.  The Lemieux Foundation is a 501(c)3  organization dedicated to raising funds for cancer research and patient care, as well as Austin’s Playroom Project.