Love and Comfort in the Final Days
If I had a choice, I would be an “expert” on how the brain works, American history or songs from the 70’s. Unfortunately, I have just a little knowledge of those interesting topics. I do however have experience in losing a child to cancer, not a topic anyone would ever sign up to learn about….
Dear Silas
Dear Silas, I want you to know your very last wish is happening right now. There is a team of researchers, doctors, and specialists who have assembled. They are working to make a difference in the world of brain cancer. I don’t think any of us could have imagined the impact your donation will have….
Prairie Elementary School Raises Over $4,000
Hi everyone my name is Betsy, I want to share the importance of pediatric cancer and why it should get more attention. People say the money should be spent on research for adults, what they don’t realize is that kids become adults. But that can’t happen if they are dying from cancer because their drug…
She Did Not Lose Her Battle
We recently shared this blog from Libby Kranz on our Gift from a Child website. Libby Kranz is one of our partners in Gift from a Child. She was kind enough to share her thoughts and and the recording of an emotional interview she granted to a local TV station about the loss of her…
We Just Don’t Know
Today, I had to explain how cancer works to my Biology 101 students. I had to tell them how cells can find ways to bypass the checkpoints that are meant to protect us. I had to tell them how a single mutation can cause a tumor to begin forming. I had to tell them how…
A Dream You Dream Together
I never knew the truth of this quote by John Lennon until now: A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality. Our California Dream became reality when through your generous support we were able to fund Michelle Monje’s tissue navigator at Stanford and also fund the next…
California Dream
Today is Michael’s birthday and the kickoff of Swifty’s Annual Appeal, and so I’d like to tell you about our California Dream. It’s a dream that takes us to Michelle Monje’s lab at Stanford … I’m going to get all STEM on you now, so get ready! You may remember from past years, that Michael’s…
I Want To Talk About Michael
Wow, I cannot believe that Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is finally coming to a close! Most of you know that helping kids with cancer is the passion that fuels every decision I make and action I take. I am years away from (hopefully) becoming a pediatric oncologist, but I have the power to advocate and…
Cancer is a Journey, Not a Battle
I cringe every time I read or hear someone is “fighting cancer or battling cancer”. This language implies a war, which means there is a winner and a loser. I’m betting you know someone who died from cancer and you also know that person was anything but a loser. I realize it’s difficult to know…
When I Think of Michael
When I think of Michael, many of the images I have of him are often frozen in the seventh grade. That school year, by some stroke of luck, he, Bridget and I all had lockers next to each other. Everyday when I got to my locker, I could always count on Michael to greet me…
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