Be the one

I've posted here and there about a friend whose child  is battling Leukemia is going to kick Leukemia's ass. When they found out that she failed to reach remission, they were understandably devastated and she has became an amazing voice for Childhood Cancer. O will now need a bone marrow transplant so continue to keep her in your prayers.

Did you know?
- that federal funding for childhood cancer research is on the decline
-that the National Cancer Institute (NCI), faced with budget cuts, has decreased grants and that those dedicated to children's cancer research are being hit especially hard.
-that all children's cancers combined only receive 3% of NCI's annual budget
-that cancer is the leading cause of death among adolescents in the united states
-that for every 6 dollars spent on AIDS research and every 1 dollar spent on breast cancer research, only 30 cents will be spent on research for children with cancer
-On the average, 1 in every 4 elementary school has a child with cancer. The average high school has two students who are a current or former cancer patient. In the U.S., about 46 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer every weekday

There are ways you can help:
Donate to Light the Night
Walk for Light the Night
St. Louis's event was two weeks ago and I always participate (in honor of a co worker's son.) I actually work with two mother's who went through this battle and both are very active in raising money for childhood cancer.

Be the one for a child! Sign up to donate bone marrow. You have no idea what an act like this could mean for someone. Most of the time, parents are not a match. One out of 560 people that sign up, a match is found as there are so many factors that go into play but sometimes a match does not come soon enough!

Donate your cord blood. I donated mine and this could save a child's life. Ask your OB how to do this and it's really simple as filling out a questionnaire and signing up.

Read this post. She has more ideas on how to help whether it is five minutes out of your day that could make a difference or a simple phone call or email.

Follow her journey and pray for that beautiful little smile!  Her momma is doing an amazing job raising awareness and the love in her posts is so evidently beautiful as they both are.