Kelly here! This ended up being much longer than I thought it would be. Though I’m quiet and reserved, I feel my emotions big, and it can be overwhelming to put even the littlest bit out there. There is a small update on our journey at the bottom. Sending everyone so many thanks and so much love. Each of you have made this battle easier to fight.

Today is Giving Tuesday, a day to exchange consumerism for philanthropy. A day to support so many wonderful nonprofit organizations that rely on donations. So why should you choose to support pediatric brain cancer research? I can give the statistics that over 5,000 children and adolescents (ages 0-19) will be diagnosed with a brain and CNS tumor this year, that 600 of these will be inoperable and that brain cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in this group, yet receives the least amount of funding. But the truth is, the kids battling brain cancer are so much more than the statistics. At the start of Sawyer’s journey, another brain tumor mother told me she didn’t know why, but every child she met that had been chosen to carry this burden are so special, and have a kindness few possess. And this is true for all pediatric cancer kids. If you want to see what true kindness and gratitude are, walk down a pediatric oncology floor. These are the kids that are going through things that a “normal” person couldn’t even imagine, yet they handle it with such grace. They are the ones pushing poles with tubes attached to their chest, yet will hold a door to let you pass first. They are the ones who say thank you after a nurse starts toxic medicine that goes through their hearts. They are the ones who, despite pain and nausea, find joy, and laugh and smile. The ones that have such a gentle nature, in most pictures you see of them, they are surrounded by animals. They are the ones that have been handed one of the hardest deals in life, yet they remain faithful, open and hopeful for their future. So if you want to know why you should dedicate even the smallest amount to pediatric cancer research, it is because not only do these kids deserve a future, but because without a doubt, these are the ones that will make this world such a better place, if only we give them the chance. The reason why I have chosen to join The Cure Starts Now is because every dollar you donate goes to pediatric brain cancer research. Their goal is to not only find the cure to brain cancer, but to find the key that will eliminate all pediatric cancers. 

Tomorrow Sawyer and I will head down to CHOA to begin his 4th round of chemo. I would be lying if I said it has been easy. There is a heaviness you carry after you become part of this world, one that will never leave us. We have had some hard days, but we have also shared so much love, and so much hope. I understand that not everyone can donate money, but if you will give your time for prayers and loving thoughts, we always appreciate it. We not only pray that this treatment will completely heal Sawyer and that he will live a long, healthy, happy, full life, but that the same will happen for all children who face this battle. Our love is always with all the parents, siblings and families that carry this heaviness too. And our biggest prayer is that a cure will be found so that no child has to fight this fight, and no parent has to hear the words, “your child has cancer.”