Spirit of Hope | Letters | Summerville Journal Scene

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Spirit of Hope

Published Thursday, February 25, 2010 12:47 PM

Summerville Journal Scene ®

Dear Editor:

Winston Churchill once said, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

The five of us, as grandparents/parents of a child with cancer, and as families of Courageous Kidz, united and decided it is time to stand up and speak with the hope that our community can sit down and listen.

Courageous Kidz, a five-year-old old non-profit agency dedicated to serving South Carolina’s children suffering with cancer, has begun its toughest mission to date – dealing with a huge drop in monetary donations in this wavering economy. Cancer is a life-altering, and sometimes life-threatening event.

Although medical science has made great strides in extending the lives of children with cancer and in some cases even discovered cures, cancer continues to be the number one killer of children between the ages of 1 to 14 today. Courageous Kidz was created to provide a “Safe Haven for Kids with Cancer.” The never-ending medical appointments, endless hospitalizations, surgeries and the dreaded days of feeling crummy, often take an overwhelming toll on even the strongest of families. We know only too well how a child with cancer can go from a simple, carefree life to one where doctors and nurses are the ones they see the most.

We are only a few of the over the 100 families served by Courageous Kidz throughout the State and we can honestly say that Courageous Kidz has helped us in so many ways. We spend endless days, weeks and months in hospitals with our ill children.

Things at home tend to fall apart and siblings often feel left out. Medical bills take priority over everything else and finances are always a struggle. This is where Courageous Kidz steps in. When we are at the hospital and have no money for food, or are simply sick of hospital food, they are there bringing meals or donating restaurant gift cards. When we have no place to stay so we can be with our sick children, they help with hotel rooms or open their own doors; when those of us who live out of town have no funds or resources, one phone call and Courageous Kidz is there to help. It’s not just the financial – although that is a very important part of the group, but it’s the smile they put on our children’s faces, allowing them to feel like normal kids, bringing toys to the hospital and always lending a shoulder to cry on.

They get donations to help with special things that a child/family with cancer may need. Something as small as getting their car fixed to as large as the renovation of a child’s room after a bone marrow transplant to create a sterile safe environment. They include siblings of children with cancer so these kids can know they too are cared for and are important. Most of all, they are family. They love our children and our families. Our families share a unique bond and Courageous Kidz is the glue that holds us together in the best and worst of times.

Courageous Kidz is struggling to keep afloat. We are asking you to please help us help Courageous Kidz to keep providing the Magic of Hope to the all too many deserving and struggling families in South Carolina by donating to Courageous Kidz. You can visit their website at www.Courageouskidz.org to donate via Paypal, or mail donations to 230 Old Dominion Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418. Every little bit counts!!! If you have any questions, feel free to contact any of us. We are happy to tell you more of our stories and sing the praises of this amazing organization.

Sincerely,

Cindy Hall

Mother of Kendall, 5 years old

Diagnosed with Pilocytic Spinal Astrocytoma 2007

Goose Creek

Darlene Cox

Grandmother of Tyler,9 years old

Diagnosed with Aveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma 2002

(39 Surgeries to date)

Travelers Rest

Julie Long

Mother of Skyla, 16 years old

Diagnosed with left Thalmic Astrocytoma

in 2003 (Numerous life-saving surgeries)

2701 Rion St

Georgetown, SC 29440

843 -527-2181

Mary Childress

Mother of Leigha, 16 years old

Leukemia, Relapsed 2007

Bone Marrow Transplant 2008

Conway

Angela Lee

Mother of Kayla, 10 years old

Diagnosed with Leukemia 2001

Relapsed 2005, Bone Marrow Transplant 2006

Now battling Graft vs Host (Body trying to reject transplant)

Effingham

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104 East Doty Avenue | Summerville, SC 29483 | 843-873-9424 office | 843-873-9432 fax