Physical Health United States Project #8877

Prescribe Joy to Seriously Ill Kids and Teens

by Children's Cancer Association

Prescribe Joy to Seriously Ill Kids and Teens

Project Report | Feb 13, 2019
You Gave Joy for the Holidays

By Kelly Carmody | Digital Content and Social Media Specialist

Joy for the Holidays (formerly known as Hope for the Holidays) was another resounding success for 2018’s season of giving. Lead by the Children’s Cancer Association’s (CCA) Link Program, and generously supported by Fortis Construction, this event harnessed the power of our dedicated community to provide joy to families during the holiday season.

Delivering that much joy is indeed a collaborative effort. Our amazing elves, the crew from the Nike Training Team, perfectly organized presents for transport at the third annual Gift Drop Off party. Individual volunteers made thank you ornaments, communicated with families, and delivered gifts. In total, more than 1,500 volunteers put in over 1,900 hours of hard work.

Homes Filled with Joy

Christmas morning, 65 families woke to a home filled with presents, excitement, and joy. Here are just a few ways in which your support made a difference.

I Can Never Say Thank You Enough

“With everything going on this year Christmas was not looking promising. I felt so bad because my son had been through so much, which means my family had been through a lot too. I explained to the kids Christmas wasn’t going to look promising, but when they saw the gifts their eyes shined. Their smiles, I’ll never forget.

The morning the kids opened the presents they were so excited and enjoyed every minute of it. I can never say thank you enough for what you did for our family it was absolutely amazing. Every gift was perfect. [The sponsors] put a lot of thought into each gift. They were wrapped beautifully, and the extra touch of Christmas ornaments on some of them was priceless. I could say thank you a thousand times and still feel like there was more to say.” – Donovan’s Family

We Are Not Fighting Alone

“I came home from work after the gifts had been delivered, and it made me cry to see a tree, that had nothing underneath it before, now transformed into one of the best Christmases my children have ever had.

They asked me every day leading up to Christmas, ‘can we just open one?’ They were so excited to see the gifts that had been selected especially for them. When it came time for gifts, I just watched them open everything with tears in my eyes. They were so happy, so excited, and felt so special. It was amazing to see all of my children blessed in such a big way since much of the time and energy has been focused on Robert and getting Robert well.

Robert received this hoodie that says, ‘Every Day Warrior: Don’t Fight Alone,’ and when he opened that gift, I couldn’t stop myself from crying. We call ourselves Robert’s Warriors. It was such an amazing moment to feel like we are not alone. That to me was the most special gift.

I don’t know how to say thank you enough but thank you. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. I don’t know how or when, but I will do my best to pay this kindness and generosity forward.” – Robert’s Family

Tears into Smiles

“I can’t thank you enough for everything. I’ll always remember what you guys did for us during this hard time. You guys made my tears turn into smiles. It was hard trying to make Christmas special for my kids without a job and not being able to provide for them. You guys made that worry go away and, we are forever thankful for all that you did.” –Shaun’s Family

Support Our Link Program

Link takes the profound emotional and financial hardships of serious pediatric illness head-on, engaging a network of caring people and organizations to provide families with essential needs assistance and support. Donate today to provide children and their families with the resources they need.

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Nov 15, 2018
Coming Back to Life - Heaven's Story

By Kelly Carmody | Digital Content and Social Media Specialist

Heaven

Two days after my daughter’s second birthday, I was handed a teddy bear and told by a doctor, “I’m sorry, it looks like Heaven has blood cancer.” I hate that bear.

Living in a hospital room with a sick child for weeks on end is an indescribable experience. Doctors and nurses coming and going, tests, tubes. So, when I heard another knock on the door, I warily said, “Come in.” This time however, it was Children's Cancer Association (CCA)’s MyMusicRx team, who gently asked if Heaven would enjoy some music. She had hardly been responsive for weeks. I said, “Sure, why not.”

The next thing I knew, Heaven was rattling the egg shaker and singing, and even dancing a bit in bed.

I cannot put into words the feeling of seeing your child come back to life. The power of CCA’s MyMusicRx program gave me a gift, a glimpse of hope, that Heaven was still my same little girl.

That’s when I learned about all the amazing ways CCA helps families like mine. The first day Heaven’s Chemo Pal Mentor Program match, Raina, came to visit, they just “clicked.” Heaven hopped right into her lap. I was shocked and so happy. To have a Chemo Pal mentor, whose sole focus is to create happiness for your child, is such a blessing. Raina made both of our lives 100% better. I can relax and talk to doctors and Heaven now actually looks forward to doctor visits.

CCA even made the holidays happen for us, and for my 11-year-old son, Shane, who was doing his very best to stay strong when Mom’s focus needed to stay on Heaven. We pretty much never left the hospital. The Link volunteer filled the hospital room with gifts, everything we put on our list – and more. It was beyond amazing.

When you contribute to CCA, these are the experiences that you make possible for families like mine who are overwhelmed and traumatized by pediatric illness – thank you.

Please support CCA today with a donation. Getting through a pediatric cancer diagnosis really does require more than medicine; it requires music, and laughter, and joy, and all those things CCA is really good at providing.

With Heartfelt Thanks,

Lacelin - Heaven's Mom

Heaven in treatment

Heaven and Her Chemo Pal

Heaven with Her Brother

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Aug 21, 2018
Ready, Set, Action! McKenzie's Music Moment

By Kelly Carmody | Digital Content and Social Media Specialist

You might recognize McKenzie as one of our 2016 CCA Heroes, a title which she still embodies today. She’s known as a prankster with the medical team, playing tricks on them and working her sassy charm. She’s also a kind, thoughtful girl, whose positive outlook inspires everyone who meets her.

In 2014, her life changed dramatically when an unassuming sniffle and cough, turned out to be a rare virus. Twelve days later, she was paralyzed from the neck down. The disease took McKenzie’s ability to move, including the ability to dance, something she had loved so much and had connected her to a passion for music.

Spending years in and out of the hospital, working intensely on her health with speech and physical therapists, McKenzie’s relationship with music, which had been so important when she could dance was not gone, but also not what it used to be.

A Music Video Director is Born

Today, she loves pop music and it’s rare to name a song on the radio McKenzie doesn’t know. When MyMusicRx Specialist, Caitlin learned that McKenzie loved music, she offered her the opportunity to take part in a Bedstock music video. Bedstock is an online music festival, where artists play from bed for kids and teens stuck in their hospital beds. Each year, CCA also offers the opportunity to kids and teens so they can be “on stage” with their favorite artists.

Suffice to say, McKenzie was ecstatic, and immediately began to direct the entire shoot! She knew exactly the songs she wanted to sing and told Caitlin to come back later in the afternoon so that she could change into her favorite shirt, brush her hair and practice the songs.

When Caitlin returned that afternoon, McKenzie was ready to perform! It was a huge success for McKenzie and brightened her day. While McKenzie made it look easy, she struggles to speak, and it took extra breath and effort for her to sing.

“To hear her singing felt like such an achievement,” said Caitlin. “It’s also important to note how much motor control it takes for her not only to grasp a flashlight but to hold it throughout the song. She announced to everyone that she was so proud of herself and she was going to share this video with her “followers!”

A Love for Music Empowering Change

While McKenzie’s relationship with dance has changed, she hasn’t let her love of music slip away and in fact, she’s using it to inspire. Her love of music empowered her to assert herself and direct others for a change. Now she can share with her friends, family, and followers that she can participate in successful activities just like them.

McKenzie has big plans for her future, she’s decided that when she grows up she wants a job that helps children with music. Not only does she have CCA Hero on her resume, but she can add “Director” as well.

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