Merry Christmas!

We are thoroughly enjoying the "normal" at our house. It has been an extremely long year and we are glad to have some time to unwind and process much of what we have been through. I would love to say that we are feeling nothing but happiness, but now that our eyes have been opened to the world of childhood cancer, there is always some amount of both fear for our own situation and sorrow for the many families we know who are struggling. The community is small and tightly knit and you cannot help but become intertwined in the lives of the other cancer families. I went to a memorial service just this week for a precious little cancer friend named Lily. She was 11 years old and passed away after a raging three year battle with neuroblastoma. It was a beautiful service...breath-taking and heart-breaking. We know some families who are approaching their first Christmas without a child and others who are celebrating their last. While part of me would love to return to how I was...completely unaware of this suffering...I know it is impossible. The veil has come off and we can no longer pretend this horror doesn't exist. Now...we must act. Patrick is feeling very moved in the area of ministering to other families walking this windy road, while I feel driven toward the building awareness/fundraising side of the battle. It will be interesting to see where God leads us in the years to come, but I know that we must do something. 

So...Christmas feels a bit different this year. It isn't any less special or joyful...if anything, it is more so. But I also feel the sorrow...the fear Mary had...the pain of any parent faced with something that feels like more than they can possibly bear. I now hear the sadness in many Christmas songs. I have a better grasp of why this season can be challenging for so many. I believe overall, it is a blessing. While it is accurate that ignorance is bliss, I am more focussed on the true meaning of Christmas than I have ever been. It feels so much more real, sacred...miraculous. While my emotions are a mixture of joy and sorrow, the undercurrent is thankfulness...and it is completely overflowing.

Thank you for walking with us this year and we pray that your family has a very Merry Christmas! 

"Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him."

-Psalm 28:6-7

Please sign this petition...our kids are counting on it!

The National Cancer Advisory Board advises the National Cancer Institute on many issues...including where to spend their funding. Currently, there are NO pediatric oncologists represented on this advisory board. How can there be more funding given to childhood cancer research if no one is there fighting for the kids? 

Appoint a Pediatric Oncologist to the National Cancer Advisory Board

2 Ways To Fight Osteosarcoma in 2 Minutes!

Osteosarcoma is a deadly and difficult to treat cancer. MUCH more research is needed to find answers as to why it occurs and how to cure it...options that allow more kids to live full lives...and to live without horrible, permanent side effects. Here are two easy ways to help...it will probably only take you two minutes. 

• The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative is promoting a "Giving Season" campaign. Just text SARCOMA TO 50555 to give $10 to the Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative's Research Grants Program. Donations will be matched up to $25,000 through December 18! (At least 97% of these donations will be used to fund a promising, peer-reviewed research grant.)  

• There is reason to suspect an osteosarcoma cluster in West Salem and a petition is being circulated to encourage the EPA to investigate further. This cluster would provide amazing data and a thorough investigation could greatly aid in providing clues as to why this disease occurs: 

"Recent cases of osteosarcoma cancer in West Salem have been diagnosed in 7 children ages 6 - 21 years old. Three have recently died from this cancer. This is what is called a "cluster." The two young individuals who passed away in July of 2012 and in November of 2012 were both diagnosed in 2009 a week apart and lived within a mile of each other. Parents of these children want answers. Osteosarcoma strikes an average of 800 people in the US every year. Salem's population is around 160,000. West Salem's population is about 19,000. Six children diagnosed within 19,000 people is incredibly high."

Please take a moment to read and sign this petition:

EPA West Salem Osteosarcoma Petition

Seriously...two minutes and $10 (which will then magically turn in to $20). Please send a text and sign the petition.