Sunday, October 27, 2013

And Another One's Gone

This morning my uncle passed away from complications related to a brain tumor.  One short week after Little Sam. My fingers are crossed there won't be a third post next Sunday. 

I admire my uncle for fully living his life since being diagnosed 16 months ago. He has traveled to places he and my aunt have long wanted to visit, spent time with family and friends, camped, and ran numerous 10k's. 

Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Kevin

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Sam

This is a sad day for a friend of mine and her family. Her sweet boy Sam succumbed to an inoperable brain tumor this morning at the tender age of 8. Prior to cancer he was a vibrant, funny, beautiful child. 13 months of living with cancer stripped Sam of all those attributes, and more.

Sabrina has maintained a blog about this experience: Enough For Now.  It's miserably sad and Sabrina's pain over her boy slipping away is palpable -- more than anyone should have to bear. Yet there is much for us to learn from her experience, particularly about raising awareness for Childhood Cancer. I can't do anything to ease Sabrina's pain amidst this horrible tragedy but I can tell you this:

Childhood cancer is the #1 cause of disease-related death in children. 1 in 300 children will be diagnosed this year. The only risk factor for childhood cancer *is being a child*. To learn more check out these sites:
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
The Truth 365
St.Baldrick's

I have an eight year old niece. It was at her baby shower that this picture of Sabrina, and then baby, Sam was taken.

Thinking of my niece's sweet, goofy, curious self and what a precious thing she, her brothers, and her cousins are in my life, all I can say is, hug your babies. Great big bear hugs.

And to Sabrina, John, Ben, Abby, and their sweet Samalamadingdong -- may peace be with you.