National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day

It is 7 a.m. on a Saturday, and I am a little droopy because Miss Caroline woke me up a bit before I was ready. She's all snuggled at my side, resting her little head on my arm. As I logged on to my email account a few minutes ago, I found an update message from one of the Caringbridge sites I visit often. It's dedicated to a precious little six-year-old boy named Cooper who passed away about four months ago after a long battle with neuroblastoma, a grueling form of childhood cancer. His mother wanted to remind us all that today is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day.

For those of you who may be new readers of my blog, I have written on a couple of other occasions about this horrible disease called neuroblastoma. I first learned about it when some dear friends of ours, the Ormsbys, learned that their sweet son Nathan had stage four neuroblastoma. In most cases, there are no signs or symptoms of the disease until it is in its advanced form. This was the case for both Nathan and Cooper.

Nathan just started kindergarten last week. We are so excited about this tremendous milestone for him. It is our prayer that he will get the chance to enjoy many more years of school. Please keep the Ormsbys in your prayers today and everyday, especially as you watch the healthy children all around you. I could be a little cranky right now because my little one woke me up at 6:30 on a Saturday morning (when on most days I have to pry her from her bed at 7:00 to get her ready for school), but I am going to choose to count it a blessing that she is healthy enough to have the energy to start her day so early.

I encourage you to visit the Lonliest Road Campaign Web site at http://www.graceoughtoncancerfoundation.org/loneliestroad/ It features a group of dads whose children are either currently fighting neuroblastoma or have passed on. These dads bike long distances to help raise money for neuroblastoma research. If you get the chance, take the time to watch the video on the home page and/or visit the Caringbridge sites listed for these dads' children. And if you feel so led, the site gives an opportunity to make a donation of any amount to help fight neorblastoma.

I am going to go make breakfast for my daughter-- one that she will have the appetitite to eat. And then I am going to help her clean her room-- one that she has the energy to mess up. :) And then I am going to spend the day enjoying my family.

May you all thank God today for the healthy children in your lives.