September: Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

You may have seen on other blogs or sites that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The gold ribbon below is one that stays in my sidebar. I got it from fellow blogger Christy. Take a minute to visit her blog and read her her story of how cancer forever changed the life of her and her family.

It seems more and more I hear of children battling cancer. My hearts go out to these families. I don't know what all they are facing, but I want to come along beside them and support and encourage anyway I can.


Here are some names of a few children you can pray for today that are battling cancer: Anderson, Kate, Clayton, Orion, Elizabeth, Jaime, Isaiah


Also remember the families of these children who are now cancer free in Heaven: Cheyenne, Catie, Jordyn, Amy



You can find out more about Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by visiting CureSearch



Have a day of blessings!

Cheer mail ministry

In my 25 things post I mentioned two programs that sends "cheer mail." Kristi asked about this so I thought I'd post about it today. This has really turned into a ministry for me and I enjoy it so much.

I started volunteering with Audrey's Umbrella several years ago. I can't even remember when really. I had found out about a little girl named Cheyenne Fiveash who was battling a brain tumor. Her Dad mentioned the Audrey's Umbrella group so I found out more information and signed up. The group was started by a lady named Bonnie in memory of her sister Audrey. Bonnie sends out information of a new monthly friend for us to send a note or card. We also get a birthday list each month. We have both children and adult friends in the group. Part of the program I really enjoy is the fairy program. Each season we can "adopt" a new friend. When you agree to adopt someone you will send them mail once a week. For children you agree to send small gifts (stickers, books, seasonal items) and the adults is a small gift when you want but mainly mail. I have been touched by many of the lives. I feel like I know the families once I read their sites and updates about their family life and treatments. It is a wonderful program.

The other program is called Heart-4-Seniors. It is a group on Yahoo of ladies. I've not been part of this one for quite a year yet. We have a group of senior citizens on our list. When you sign up you agree to send at least one card every week to one senior. We have a long list of seniors and you can pick one or several seniors. My grandmother is on the list now and it has made a tremendous difference in her life to receive the mail. She looks forward to it so much. This is another wonderful program.

Both of these programs have need for more volunteers if anyone is interested. I have found them both to be a blessing in my life. You may or may not hear back from those you write but you know if you do or not that taking the time to send them a note brightens their day in ways you'll never know!
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"For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love." Psalm 33:4,5

Childhood Cancer Awareness

I read a post recently through the Audrey's Umbrella message board that has stuck with me. It was written by a breast cancer survivor and mother of a child battling brain cancer. Here is the link to the post so you can read it yourself. Caringbridge (look at journal entry for September 26, 2008)

I feel like this mother has made many valid points. September was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. It was much less publicized than all the notices everywhere reminding women it is now Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Reading this made me wonder what I could do to raise awareness. I found a gold ribbon while reading a blog recently and asked permission to use it, so I'm adding it to my sidebar.

It is heartbreaking to read stories and hear about all of the families who have battled cancer with their children. More funding and research needs to be done. Surely someone could find an answer.
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"Be always on the watch, and pray." Luke 21:36

Today's prayer for the election:

Pray for members and leaders of other political parties, and for undecided or unregistered voters

Say a prayer

Please remember the family of a little girl named Avery Ann. She passed away early this morning. She'd just turned five. Back in summer 2006 my Mom and I were her buddies with the Audrey's Umbrella program. It is sad to hear of another loss because of a terrible disease.

Say a prayer

Today please say a prayer for Catie's family. It is the one year anniversary since Catie went to Heaven. Her Mom wrote a sweet tribute to her today. I know the family would appreciate you remembering them today as they remember their sweet girl.

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"May the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful." I Thessalonians 5:23, 24

It's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Since being part of the Audrey's Umbrella group, I've come to "know" several children battling cancer. Those in the AU program are fighting (or survivors of) brain tumors. When I follow the stories of these brave children and their families, I become attached. Several of my little buddies I've been matched with through AU have passed away. One of those is Catie. She was my Spring 2006 AU buddy. Today is Catie's birthday. She would have been five years old. You can watch a clip with pictures of Catie. It's at the bottom called "Stories of sadness, hope." Remember her family in your thoughts and prayers today as they're missing their little girl on this her first birthday in Heaven.


Unfortunately, the budget for Childhood Cancer Research has been cut by the government for 3 consecutive years. Write to your congressman and ask them to support the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act.

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"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." Isaiah 40:11