the globe rover

Denver, CO

Denver, CO

I am devastated that two of the kiddos that I follow from the cancer community earned their wings this week.

Coleman Larson was five vibrant years old and fought an amazing battle against Medulloblastoma for the last two plus years. Coleman was an amazing and very wise little boy filled with the spirit of life and faith unknown to many adults. Although I never met him, I have learned numerous lessons from him and his family. I have laughed and cried through their journey since I’ve been following them for the last year. Coleman leaves behind an amazing family - a very wise and devoted mother, Peggy;  a very caring and dear father, Scott; and a loveable and dedicated twin brother, Caden. I am heartbroken with this loss and amazed and so very thankful at the impact this little five year old has had on me.

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/ColemanScott

 

Trooper Dante was a two-year old fighter that has been battling Neuroblastoma. He is an amazing little guy and has had the spirit and determination to keep fighting and making everyone around him smile. He is also leaving behind a brother, sister, and wonderful parents. And again, although I have never met Dante, his smile will be engraved in my memory forever.

http://www.carepages.com/carepages/TrooperDante

 

My desire to help fight Childhood Cancer only grows stronger. These kids shouldn’t have to fight. They deserve more… an opportunity to grow and learn and experience life. I have learned so much from these guys and their parents.

Please help… go to Cure Search or People Against Childhood Cancer (PAC2). These groups are doing a great job but more help is always needed (childhood cancer is still way underfunded).

If there is any silver lining, it is that both these little boys have an amazing group of angels waiting in heaven to take them under their wing and show them the ropes.

My heart and prayers are with Coleman and Dante’s families.

Denver, CO

St. Judes and Coors Light have teamed up for a great Halloween promotion - you can find pinups at your local restaurants, grocery stores, and other retail outlets (like local wine/beer stores). Simply make any donation you want and you’ve helped a great cause. Check out St. Jude’s site here and Coors Light’s site here (you can make donations online as well at St. Jude’s site).

Here’s to helping the amazing kiddos with cancer at Halloween and helping to find a cure!

Denver, CO

Two unusual events happened last night. The first, I ate dinner at Chili’s - not a place that I normally eat at (nothing other than I’m not a fan of most chain restaurants). But yesterday was a special day as they were donating a portion of their proceeds from the day to St. Judes (for childhood cancer research). That’s my cause and I was happy to support it. Funny blond moment on the way - I accidentally went to Applebees (like I said, I don’t eat at “those” restaurants often). Needless to say, I got back to the pick-up area where they asked my name and looked at each other and said “you must have ordered from that ‘other’ restaurant”. They were not real happy but I told them my money was going to Chili’s for the cause. The best part of the dinner was that Chili’s was packed - that means more money for the kiddos!

My second big event yesterday was that last night was the first time I’ve slept in a house that I own :). Big day for me! Especially if you consider that the house is not finished and luckily has a toilet and sink albeit no hot water and no shower. It was an adventure though with no doors on the interior and listening to the different creaks throughout the night. It was nice though to think I’m finally not paying rent anymore.

Today is the last day of Childhood Cancer Awareness month. I’d like to think that great strides were made although I saw very little evidence of the “awareness”. I wore my gold ribbon pin all month and only one person asked me what it was for. That was a little disappointing but it is a start. Hopefully, each day and each month will bring more awareness.

Here’s to all the little kiddos out there fighting their battles (and of course all the angels watching over them)…

Denver, COI’d like to tell you about a project I saw on Members Project. It’s called “Project Brain Child,” and with your support it could get funding from American Express. American Express Cardmembers can vote for this project to receive potential funding by going to Project Brain ChildMembers Project is an exciting initiative that brings people together to make a difference in the world. It’s simple. People go online to share ideas for projects — and ultimately vote on which projects will share $2.5 million in funding from American Express.In 2007, Members Project provided clean drinking water to children all across Africa. What will Members Project do this year? The decision is yours. Please get out the vote about this project.Show Your Support
membersproject.com

Denver, CO

It is the one month a year designated to help bring more awareness to a terrible tragedy in our world - childhood cancer. There is so much we can do to work towards a cure. Please take the time to read about childhood cancer (the numbers are astounding). Cure Search is an organization dedicated to the cause. Read about Cure Search and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month here.

I’d also like to encourage everyone to sign the petition that I mentioned in an earlier post to help raise awareness of childhood cancer. The petition was started by a very dedicated father who lost is son to cancer earlier this year. Most people are unaware (as I was until recently) that a lot of the cancer organizations dedicate minimal funding to childhood cancer although it has such a large impact. I was shocked to discover that the American Cancer Society only dedicates 3% of their funding to childhood cancer. Needless to say, there is much work ahead to increase awareness. But we can start today!

Three of the major networks ran a special on Friday night called “Stand Up 2 Cancer” (you can watch the show here on NBC). Although it is a good start, there is still very little focus on childhood cancer.

We need your help.
Sign the petition.
Learn about childhood cancer.
Spread the word.
Increase awareness.
Too many beautiful children are suffering and becoming angels before they even get to grow up.

Please help us work toward the cure.

Denver, CO

This past Friday I participated in the second annual Wash Park Relay for Life benefiting the American Cancer Society. It was a great event and I am so glad that I was able to participate.

First, a note to my family and friends (and you know who you are) - thank you, thank you, thank you! Thanks to the generosity of my family and friends (and in a quick week and a half time period) I was the top individual fund raiser. I literally was brought to tears every time I opened my “progress” page and saw the number of you who donated. Thank you again for supporting both the American Cancer Society and me. I am moved by your generosity and giving spirit.

A little about the event…

The walk is an overnight walk where teams of participants keep someone walking around the park all night from the opening ceremonies at 7 pm on Friday until the closing ceremonies at 8 am on Saturday. The opening began with a researcher speaking personally and professionally regarding the benefits of basic research and the impact on cancer. Then the survivors took a lap around the park which was very moving. Amazing to see so many survivors representing the dreadful “C” disease.

Throughout the night there were great events planned such as luminaries that were placed around the entire track in honor of survivors and in memory of angels; bands; dancers; movies; volleyball; backward lap; fancy hat lap; Miss Relay (for guys) lap collecting money in their handbags; and numerous other events that made the event enjoyable and entertaining. Every team had tents set up in the infield (some simple and some pretty decked out) - there were all kinds of fun stuff like baby pools and corn hole (the game) set up. There was also a DJ that played during the entire event - kudos to him for his energy!

The relay concluded with a Dove release in honor and in memory of all the victims of cancer. It was very special to see the doves fly and circle around the track commemorating so many amazing people.

I can’t wait to get involved in next year’s event and only hope that it will continue to grow!

Denver, CO

Over the last year, I have been following the stories of several different children that have been fighting cancer…some losing the battle and some winning the battle. Their stories are amazing. These children have a wiseness and clarity well beyond their years. Their families and friends are dealing with grief that should not be felt by a family. The statistics are staggering.

One of the lives that I have been fortunate enough to have a glimpse into is AJ Piniewski. An amazing 14 year old boy that lost his battle to Burkitt’s Lymphoma. His father has shared with the public a view of the amazing son/brother/friend and is carrying forth the legacy of AJ by pushing for more funding and research for pediatric cancer. He has created a petition that we all need to sign.

Please take a few minutes to read the petition and sign it. The stories are heartbreaking. And it’s time for pediatric cancer to get some attention.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/CureChildhoodCancer