American Cancer Society

Hi All,

I was asked by the American Cancer Society to ask my neighbors for donations. How could I say no given our circumstances. Riley would be dead if this was 10 years ago. His disease may not technically be cancer but he is being treated with a cancer drug.

They gave me a letter to send and the names and addresses of my neighbors. I just finished getting it ready to send. I thought while I was at it that I would let my blog followers know that American Cancer Society was asking for my help.

They are asking for my help when I owe my child's life to their dedication. Great medical improvements have been made in just the last ten years. Riley is able to attend school and get on with his life, indistinguishable from any other high school freshman, other than that mustache he is so proud of.

His camp this summer was sponsored by the American Cancer Society. It allowed him to meet others just like him, facing life threatening illnesses. Doctors and nurses were at the camp to help as needed. Keeping the children healthy and safe so they could have a summer camp experience like any healthy child might have.

These wonderful opportunities cost money from somewhere. Our family will be eternally grateful for the research that has allowed Riley to continue living with Aplastic Anemia, Bone Marrow Failure, with a fairly normal life style. We are grateful for the fun opportunities that put aside the shadow that hangs over our home. There are so many charities that contributed to making this incredible year so... well, incredible.

Doernbecher Children's Hospital diagnosed Riley quickly and got him the treatment he needed to stay alive. They held our hands and supported us through Hell.

American Red Cross provided the red blood and platelets that kept Riley alive. If you have ever given blood, you know the detailed care the staff takes in collecting blood to try to ensure the safe quality of the product. The shelf life is shorter than I ever realized. There is a constant need for fresh donations from good reliable donors. Many people do not qualify as good donors for a variety of reasons; Being in Europe after Chernobyl or the mad cow scare in England, having a tattoo, or any decease or a cold that might compromise a sick patient. A blood drive takes nurses and volunteers. It is time consuming. No wonder that one pint of blood costs $700 with the amount of care taken to collect the blood and care for it and distributing it appropriately. It is a priceless life giving commodity.

Make a Wish sent us to Charlotte North Carolina to meet Dale Earnhart Junior and see our first Nascar race as a family. What an incredible experience that was. Children with life threatening diseases get a wish granted. Some are modest wishes, others are quite grand in scale. It is all about cramming a lifetime into a moment, because that may be all these children have, a moment of time. I don't even want to know how many recipients don't survive to adulthood. I know that on our trip I met three other children. One has already died. His family will remember that people cared and wanted to wish them a wonderful memory. Total strangers opening up their hearts and giving up their privacy for a child's wish. The money for those wishes came from somewhere.

American Cancer Society has their finger in every part of these experiences. Their research gives us hope. Their camps, so children can feel normal, give our children hope and cheer. I know from my experiences this year that these programs work. They are worth every penny. Riley is alive and mentally well balanced. He does not feel sorry for himself or question what might happen in the future. No dwelling, we have been having too much fun to dwell. Who could ask for better blessings than that.

If you are in a giving mood or need that tax write off, I can tell you from personal experience any one of these charities are truly worthy causes. American Cancer Society has asked me to put in a plug for them. Riley would be dead almost a year, if not for their research in medical cures for cancer. That summer camp they sponsored made us realize that life can still be fun. I made a donation in honor of Riley. He will get a card in the mail. I thought it would make a nice Christmas gift for him, the gift of life and happiness.

I wish you all happiness and good health to you and your family.

Lots of Love,

Steph