Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

I received this email from a friend and neighbor this morning. It has moved me to post and to DO something. So here it is. . . .hopefully you will be moved to DO something too.

Hello ladies-

Michelle (my sister) was finally able to come for a visit over Labor Day weekend and so i got to see her beautiful new baby girl who is just too sweet for words, and also to finally see Brodie who is at this time totally cancer free (praise God) and acts and plays like a very happy and healthy "almost" three year old!!

I know Michelle continues to feel so touched and truly blessed by the out pouring of prayers and kindness everyone showed her and her family during this very difficult time. I too thank all of you for your prayers, support and concern.

See you all next week!
God is good! Kathie

It is National Childhood Cancer Awareness month and one year ago this was the farthest thing from my mind. This year I have a great burden in my heart to make people aware of just how close to home and deadly this disease can be. Most of you have walked with us in the miraculous healing of our precious little 2 year old Brodie. Our gracious God spared his life and we had some awesome doctors and nurses that cared for him. We don't focus our lives on this, but the cancer can come back and we are eternally grateful for the time we have with Brodie. There are thousands of other kids battling cancer and 46 others every day who will be added to that list. There is so much that you can do to help. I have given you some options below, I challenge you to do just one, but it would be easy to do more!
Please take a little time and watch this video....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGS4yE5v9rM

http://www.curesearch.org/ This site has all kinds of information about childhood cancer. It has information on a bill known as Conquer Childhood Cancer 2007. Which will provide $30 million dollars each year for 5 years to be used to research and develop new treatment options. It also has a section where you can send a letter (already formated with text) to your representatives, senators and all political officials. Yes, I said the letter is already written, all you have to do is know your name, address and zip code...it basically does the rest for you. You say you don't know your senator, representative, govenor it does it for you as well!

http://www.redcross.org/ You could donate blood or platelets. Most hospitals have their own blood banks where you can also donate if that would be closer and easier! These kids need these to survive and blood banks typically are in short supply!

http://www.marrow.org/ This site can give you more information on how to be on the national registry to be a bone marrow donor. This too saves lives!

http://www.loneliestroad.org/ This final site that I will ask you to visit is for a group of 5 fathers riding across America to raise money and awareness of a horrible childhood cancer known as neuroblastoma. Of course all cancers are horrible, but little Taylor Love was diagnosed the same time as Brodie, and she and her family hold a special place in our hearts. Please check it out and be praying for their journey.

During this month of Childhood Cancer Awareness, I want people to know that every day 46 children are diagnosed with some form of cancer. That is about 2 classrooms full of school kids every day. Each year close to 3,000 children die from cancer. When we started having kids I NEVER thought our kids would have any major illness, we both came from long lines of healthy genes. It can happen to anyone!

Please make a difference, send a letter, donate blood, bone marrow, time, prayer or money. Do something to help these kids. Prayer is what sustains us as a family! God has created amazing people like doctors, nurses and researchers that work extremely hard to save our children. They need our prayers and support! If all you can do is pass this along to someone else, that would be great too! Just do something before deleting this message!

Thank you and I pray for God's blessings upon you and your family!
Michelle