Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Love, Georgia

       This year was a full one. Sure, there were the same 365 days, 12 months, and 4 seasons as there are in every other year, but this one was special. This was my first teenage year, my last year in middle school, and the first full year in what seems like a long time that I haven’t had chemo running through my body.
        It was a year that came with its ups and downs. There were less clinic appointments, spread out fewer and far between. But there was medical craziness like boots and scans and endocrinology and mono. It was a year where the 46 Mommas were led by the best of the bunch (you know who I’m talking about), and they raised a lot of money for St. Baldrick's – I’m still not sure how much. It was a year where I got awards and was recognized, and I made a few speeches, too. But I think I am more proud of the monotonous things I did this year.
        It was a year where I went to school almost every day and had all A’s and one B (curses, Algebra I!). It was a year where I served as NJHS president and got bronze theatre awards. It was a year where I went to sleepovers with ALL EIGHT of my best friends in attendance. It was a year where I sat at my computer, messed around on my phone, and doodled in the margins.
        As I look back and reflect on this year, 2013, I realize that through all of it, I had a great year. A studious year. An artistic year. A hilarious year. A year spent waiting for the class period to be over so I could laugh with my friends at lunch. A perfectly normal, (mostly) healthy year for a normal, healthy, healed, teenager. The first I’ve had since December 31, 2009. Now here’s to all the normal years to come! Happy New Year!

Love,
Georgia

Monday, December 30, 2013

Fourteen/Four

Fourteen years ago today, I was in a hospital room, surrounded by some of the people I love most in the world, heralding the arrival of my first baby girl, Georgia Lee Moore. Four years ago today, I was in another hospital room, with many of the same people plus a 6-year-old Ivy, trying to reason, pray, and will away a potential cancer diagnosis for that same baby girl, which was confirmed the next day. In those moments, my world changed forever, but fourteen years ago, four years ago, and today, I am grateful for them all. Happy Everything to the brightest, bravest, and most beautiful warrior on the planet - you are my hero and my heart. Love, Mommy


Sunday, December 29, 2013

Holiday Cheer

What a wonderful Christmas we had! And the best presents of all were two happy and HEALTHY girls!
 

Didn't everybody put TEN books on their list? Half of which you've already read? : )

Our new Official Peachy Keen Timekeeper

New socks and slippers - yay!

A Kiss for Sis

It was a great day. As is today - 20 months off treatment! And tomorrow - Georgia's birthday! And the next day - drumroll ... Four YEARS since diagnosis! So much to celebrate!!!

Monday, December 23, 2013

Merry and Bright

That's our hope for your holidays, dear Friends of Georgia - that they are Merry and Bright and full of fun times with your families. In the last week, we kicked off our celebration with a visit to the Trail of Lights in Zilker Park (a beloved Austin tradition) and the annual holiday bash with our friends from the Children's Blood and Cancer Center. We've had caroling, ornament exchanges, and cookie parties, and now we're buckling down for the Main Event in two days!

In the meantime, Georgia was finishing off another straight-A six weeks at school, complete with acing her first-ever final exams. That girl! This semester has really flown by, and we are so proud of her continued hard work. And health-wise, aside from the typical end-of-school fatigue, she's feeling great - the best gift of all!

Speaking of, I realize we didn't get to post our usual gift list, but please consider donating to any of the organizations listed in the sidebar below or the charity of your choice. As we all prepare for a wonderful holiday, remember that 46 families are being told that their child has cancer. 46 more will hear those words tomorrow, and on Christmas Day, and every weekday until we END this. Give the gift of hope by helping to fund childhood cancer research or supporting other patient programs. As one of the 46 on December 31, 2009, I can tell you that it means the world. 

And if you're able, we highly encourage you to give blood. Donations typically decrease during the holidays, but the need for a safe, stable supply does not. Remember, Georgia received her first transfusion on December 30th (Happy 10th Birthday!) and had several more over the following days, and we are so still so grateful that there were blood products available whenever she needed them. 

We'll be checking back in over the next week - seems like something important is happening then? - but for now, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!


Monday, December 16, 2013

14 for 14 in 14

In 14 days, Georgia will turn 14! In honor of her birthday and her FOURTH diagnosis anniversary the next day, we want to hit our $14K fundraising goal - and we're less than $300 away! Please consider a year-end gift to all kids fighting cancer and help fund life-saving research. Click HERE or on the button in the sidebar to donate to my 46 Mommas' campaign in support of the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Let's ring in 2014 ready to conquer childhood cancer!

Saturday, Georgia attended a playwriting workshop at the UT Dept. of Theatre & Dance, aka Mommy's old stomping grounds. It was fun to see her in that environment and, as always, she was praised for her creativity and focus. Who knows what she'll study in college or what career path she'll take, but I have a feeling she'll be doing a lot of writing - even just for fun!

Monday, December 9, 2013

We Did It!


We hit $1.25 MILLION! This is amazing and gives us some great momentum heading into the new year! Thank you to all who donated, now and in the past, because you have helped make this possible as well:


The St. Baldrick's Foundation has raised $34 million this year, and here are some of the '13 46 Mommas Shave for the Brave celebrating the milestone in San Antonio this summer! I'm the sweaty bald one in the back. Georgia and Ivy made that sign, and I've still got glitter from it in my car. We were honored to be asked to do this, and of course, I'll take any opportunity to talk about the importance of childhood cancer research. We are so proud to be involved with St. Baldrick's and will continue to spread the word and raise funds until we've conquered childhood cancer - and we'd love for you to join us!

Georgia's appointment last week went very well - she's just a hair shy of 5'8"! Unfortunately, the next day, she was felled by a particularly nasty stomach bug, which now we're both recovering from. As bad as it was, it's still "good" to get sick, as Georgia says, "like a normal kid." True, but we know our girl is anything BUT normal, right? Indeed. Big days and milestones coming this month - think we might celebrate? Ha! 

Monday, December 2, 2013

Help Good Go Viral

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday - a national day of giving. That has such a nice ring to it, doesn't it? Especially on the heels of two of the biggest, most hyped, most overindulgent "getting" days of the year. What if we could create that kind of buzz, that kind of energy, and direct it towards GOOD - imagine the positive impact that would make! We here at Peachy Keen HQ firmly believe it's possible, and we encourage all of Friends of Georgia to GIVE to your nonprofit of choice tomorrow. If you're looking for suggestions, take a peek at the list of childhood cancer organizations in the sidebar or click HERE to help us reach our fundraising goal for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Let's all give, and help good go viral! Thanks, y'all!

Friday, November 29, 2013

Hope Friday

While many people are out shopping for deals today, we're shopping for HOPE. The 46 Mommas are just $694 away from a four-year fundraising total of $1.25 MILLION for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, and how great would it be to get there by the end of the year? Very! So, in honor of Georgia's 14th birthday one month and one day from today, we're upping our fundraising goal for this year to $14,000. And the cool thing is - we're just about $680 away! It's a doubly wonderful gift as your generous donation could not only help us reach our goal, but the 46 Mommas as well. And think about it:


So many of you have answered our calls for donations throughout Georgia's journey, and we thank you very much! We can't think of a better gift to give OR receive, so if you'd like to help us continue to fund childhood cancer research, click HERE or on the 46 Mommas button in the sidebar. And if your company has a matching program, please make sure to include that information - you can make your gift go twice as far! Thanks, y'all!

In other HOPEful news, Georgia is 19 MONTHS off treatment today! To mark the occasion and to celebrate Hope Friday, she and Ivy posed in their MaxLove Hope Beanies - yet another great way to give a gift that makes a difference. We're so proud of Momma Audra and SuperMax and all that they have done for kids fighting cancer, and it's our honor to support them as SuperMax gears up for another battle with "the bad guys." We are sending them much love and light and HOPE!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

We Are Thankful

  • For our amazing treatment team, starring Dr. Neff, and the many hands and hearts that have cared for Georgia throughout her journey.
  • For Georgia's good physical health and the normal counts we expect to see at next week's clinic appointment.
  • For Georgia's excellent report this week from her neuropyschological evaluation.
  • For the Ann Richards School and the academic and enrichment opportunities it provides Georgia - including a wonderful two-day college visit this week and a fabulous encore performance of the one act play.
  • For the sweet, smart, and funny friends Georgia has made over the last two years - they take such good care of each other.
  • For the new friends we have all made since Georgia was diagnosed, including patient families and other supporters like Will and Dianna Bacon, who tirelessly raise awareness and funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of Georgia and other heroes. Will is competing this weekend in the Ironman Cozumel event, and Georgia made this to help cheer him on:
  • For our family and for all Friends of Georgia who have stood with us, cheered with us, and supported our fundraising efforts throughout the past four years. We are so grateful and blessed beyond measure. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

The Play's The Thing

Over the past two days, 15 Austin middle schools have been competing in a one act play festival, and the results are in! Georgia and Co. performed "Note to Self" by Bradley Hayward, which is a series of vignettes about the perils of teenagerhood, and they received the award for Best Ensemble - the top prize! In addition, acting awards are given out for each cast, and guess who got the bronze medal for her very first time on stage?

She'd like to thank The Academy ...

Georgia really showed her acting chops in her dual roles of a teenager and a grandmother - for which she asked to borrow MY shoes! And all of the girls were very gracious amid the excitement of their complete domination of the festival!

Our acting and tech medalists

More of the cast with Ms. Goka, our amazing principal

Georgia has had so much fun in theatre this year, and this experience and the success of the show has really inspired her to continue with it into - here it is again - high school. So our girl is becoming more and more of a STAR every day! 

P.S. Austin-area Friends of Georgia! There will be a command performance of the play at ARS next Friday, November 22nd at 6:30. Join us!

Monday, November 11, 2013

Twinkle Twinkle

Time is just ticking away, and 2013 will soon be over! As Georgia moves further and further out of treatment, her days are filled with school and friends and fun - everything *but* doctors and meds and cancer. And we are thrilled! She is currently gearing up for the middle school play, which will debut this week at the One Act Play Festival. She has been "locked-in" at the school library the last two Friday nights for sleepovers with the NJHS and the student ambassador program. She's finishing up another straight-A six weeks and is looking forward to a college trip to Dallas in a few weeks. And on Wednesday, we'll be attending a meeting together to talk about - gulp - high school! It's hard to believe that the time has come, but we are so thankful for the incredible education and opportunities she is receiving at the Ann Richards School.

At the start of the year, one of her teachers asked to learn more about her students from their parents, and this is what I wrote:

As for describing my daughter in a million words or less, I can narrow it down to one: brilliant. And I mean that in far more ways than the obvious. Yes, she is smart, but she is also bright. She has a light about her that reflects her kind and peaceful nature. She is a gifted artist and writer whose creativity and humor shine through her work. And when faced with challenges, she is a beacon of strength and grace.

We couldn't be more proud of Georgia, and we couldn't be more sure that she was born to be an Ann Richards Star.

Shine on, sweet girl

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween!

From Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday and Uncle Fester
Snap, snap!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

18!


A great day to share a Stand Up To Cancer placard, I think! 18 months - 1.5 years! I remember Georgia taking her last chemo meds so clearly, and here we are, months and miles away from that day. We are so thankful for the years of research that went into her treatment protocol, and we wholeheartedly believe that research funding is critical to improving cure rates and providing safer, less-toxic treatments for all childhood cancers. 

A big push in the right direction came from the collaboration between Stand Up To Cancer and the St. Baldrick's Foundation and the formation of a Pediatric Cancer Dream Team. I think we've all got the same dream, and through pooling resources and sharing information, we are really on our way to making it come true. It happened for Georgia, and we want it to happen for all kids and families in the fight. So while we're celebrating 18 months OT today, we're thinking about the hope that could be discovered tomorrow. 

Thank you for all of the messages and continued support, today and every day. We're closing in on four years since Georgia was diagnosed, and we couldn't have made it this far without y'all!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Inspired

Last week, Georgia made her first visit to the LIVESTRONG Survivorship Center for neuropsychological testing. She's been evaluated twice before, as recommended for all children in treatment, but this study is specifically focused on the neurocognitive function of children treated for ALL. The most common learning problems occur in math, so the study looks closely at processing speed, visual and sequential memory, attention and concentration. In her first two evaluations, Georgia did very well in all areas, even improving in some after completing treatment, and we have no reason to be concerned as she thankfully hasn't had any problems in school. That said, we will take any opportunity we have to further research and help other kids and families in the fight - remember, Knowledge is Power!

In six short months, Georgia will transition into the survivorship program, and her follow-up appointments will be at the center, which adjoins the clinic. The goal of the program is to empower young survivors to take charge of their health by educating them on their individual treatments and teaching them how to maintain good health and manage late effects that may arise. We're so grateful to have access to such services and doubly so as the only effects Georgia has been challenged by so far are relatively mild. Her clinic appointment last week also showed her counts to be great - dare I say, normal! - and she's regained some of the weight she lost thanks to mono. We are truly, truly blessed.

We are also continually inspired by other warriors. One such great inspiration is Teo, the son of Ivy's primary teacher, Toni. Teo was diagnosed with ALL at the age of 2, and Ivy was in Toni's class when Georgia was diagnosed. To have Ivy spend her days with someone who understood so well what we were going through was incredibly comforting, and I know a big part of Ivy's success in her own journey is due in large part to Toni's tender care at such a critical moment. When we walked in to the survivorship center last week, we were greeted by Teo's smiling face on the wall, and it was another great reminder of what is possible - living STRONG after childhood cancer.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

All That Jazz

We have a new member of the family at Peachy Keen HQ: meet Jazzy!



Jazzy (short for "All That Jazz") is a 10 week old Netherland Dwarf rabbit - and Ivy's long-awaited dream come true! After much investigation and preparation, we drove out to Franklin, Texas this weekend to pick her up, and we all fell in love with her immediately. She has settled into the family quite nicely, even sharing Georgia and Ivy's love of tutus and playing with the dollhouse:

Still working on my wildlife photography skills, but clearly, she's adorable.

In "All That Georgia" news, she was officially inducted as the NJHS President at the New Member Induction last week. She had to give a speech and announce the new members, and she did a wonderful job. Play rehearsal is going very well, too - so well, in fact, she's been asked to take on an additional role after someone had to drop out. That's show biz! She's gotten into a nice routine with her schoolwork and is really enjoying eighth grade. All we have to do is sit on the sidelines and say, "Go Georgia Go!" Pretty awesome!

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

10th Birthdays - and 400 Posts!

This is our 400th post on ye olde blog! Three years and nine months ago today, we wrote the first one, and so many of you have stayed with us ever since. You've left an even 1,000 comments, and you've shared Georgia's story with folks around the world - and beyond! You've celebrated every milestone and victory with us and generously donated nearly $100,000 to childhood cancer research. We couldn't have made it this far without your support, so we thank you and love you, our dear Friends of Georgia.

Today, we're celebrating Ivy's 10th birthday. After a putt putt golf party on Sunday, she was showered with love, gifts, and chocolate cake and ice cream before and after school today. That's how we do around here! Ivy is so kind and funny and loves her sis something fierce. And as my Momma friend, Monica says, she is a childhood cancer survivor, too. I'm not sure we'll ever truly understand the impact this journey has made on her life, but she has come through it strong and smiling, and we are so proud of her. Happy Happy Birthday, Ivy Francis Moore!


Finally, I shared this on my Facebook page yesterday, and it seems like a fitting way to close this 400th post. Thanks for everything, y'all, and for always Keepin' Georgia on Your Mind.

"In the waning hours of Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and on the eve of Ivy's 10th birthday, I can't help but think about this picture from December 30, 2009 - Georgia's 10th birthday. We had been sent to Dell Children's a few hours earlier, after her pediatrician reviewed her "abnormal" blood work and wanted us to rule out "something like leukemia." Of the handful of things they thought it could be, I was sure it was anything *but* cancer because it would be ABSURD for my healthy child to have cancer. But the next morning's bone marrow biopsy confirmed it, and she started 28 months of treatment on New Year's Day. Three years and nine months later, what I now find absurd is the lack of attention and abysmal amount of funding that is directed towards childhood cancer. I have met legions of people who feel the same way, and we're all doing our darnedest to make a difference. I have been inspired by parents facing their worst nightmare and rising to their best selves to fight for their child and mine. I have been held up by so many hands - an incredible treatment team, my precious family and friends, and my fierce and beautiful Mommas - that it's my obligation and absolute honor to continue banging the drum until we END this. No more getting cancer for your birthday."


Sunday, September 29, 2013

17 Months OT!

What better way to close out Childhood Cancer Awareness Month than by celebrating Georgia's 17th month off treatment?! She continues to grow stronger - and taller! - each day, and she greets every one of her increasingly busy days with a smile. In the last week alone, she represented the NJHS at the annual school fundraiser, had her first play rehearsal, and was selected as a student ambassador for tours and community events involving the Ann Richards School. Oh, and she and Ivy both read their creative writing pieces for a crowd of 500 people at the Austin Teen Book Festival! It was such a wonderful event - Georgia made us laugh, Ivy made us cry, and they both made us very proud!



Georgia, classmate Mireya, and their writing teacher, Taya

The incredible Mrs. Mauser, aka Magical Ninja Librarian from ARS

 Sharing her piece, "Man vs. Zombie: A Polite and Dignified Conversation."

The house was packed, and as it happens, there was a family sitting right in front of us who had lost their little boy to neuroblastoma. His sister shared a beautiful poem about his journey, and I had the privilege of visiting with his parents afterwards. We talked about their son, about Georgia, and about the clear impact of childhood cancer on siblings. We also talked about the critical need for research, especially for cancers like neuroblastoma, which very often goes undiagnosed until it's quite advanced and extremely difficult to fight. One of the excuses - I mean, "reasons" - Big Pharma gives for its lack of attention to childhood cancer as a whole is because "it's so rare." Really? I know of at least two families in that room yesterday who would disagree.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, but any month, every month, you can do SOMETHING to help kids and families in the fight. Thanks, y'all, and have a great week.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Loving Libbie

Saturday, we had the great pleasure of representing the 46 Mommas and the St. Baldrick's Foundation at one the best parties of the year: the Loving Libbie Memorial Foundation's 3rd Annual Birthday Bash! We celebrated precious Libbie and helped raise money for the amazing Becky and her crew at A Trip to Bountiful bakery and cafe to continue their good work of feeding the children in treatment at our clinic, Dell Children's Hospital, and the Ronald McDonald House. There were games and activities galore, all sponsored by a variety of organizations from the childhood cancer community, but the stars of the show are always the macaroni and cheese and the birthday cake!



This year's cake was inspired by ColorCancer's use of the colors associated with different types of cancer to raise awareness and funds to fight those cancers. It was just as colorful on the inside, as you can see! The cake also featured the sign for "I Love You," which holds special meaning for Becky and her daughter, Libbie.  

 One of my helpers making macaroni necklaces.

At the end of the party, Georgia presented Becky with her painting, "Still Life with Macaroni and Cheese," to thank her for all of the delicious food and cakes from Bountiful that our family has enjoyed over the past three years. Becky sent me a message today that said, "I am so touched and honored to have this painting from Georgia. I took it to work today and showed it off to everyone. You know how shy I am...not many people saw it...wink. Come in soon and I think you might find it hanging quite proudly with a fabulous frame in an important spot at the bakery."


It was a very sweet day.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

MaxLove

My Momma friend, Audra, is probably the hardest working person I know in the childhood cancer community. Through MaxLove Project, a non-profit organization inspired by her amazing son, Max, her team aims to provide families fighting childhood cancers and life-threatening conditions with accessible, practical, and kid-friendly whole-body wellness. To that end, MaxLove has an anti-cancer nutrition program (Fierce Foods), a Love + Light Initiative (Cloud b Twilight Turtles), and the MaxLove Brand of headware - all dedicated to helping SuperKids THRIVE against cancer. The whole family is involved in every aspect of these programs, and they are all amazing! We so appreciate all they are doing to raise awareness of childhood cancer as well as the critical need for research funds and integrative care.

For the month of September, each order from MaxLove Brand will include a free Gold Hope Beanie, in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Stock up on a variety of knit hats for winter, or check out the Special Edition Momma Fedoras (here and here), $5 from which will benefit the 46 Mommas campaign in support of the St. Baldrick's Foundation.


And as if that isn't enough, Audra also had time to write a beautiful post for the St. Baldrick's blog about Max's first day of school and how he is thriving against cancer. He is a SUPER boy, and we wish him and his SUPER family much, much love. MaxLove!

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Halfway

We're halfway through September - have you done SOMETHING for kids fighting cancer? Here's why we need your help:

St. Baldrick's Foundation – About Childhood Cancer

Friday, September 13, 2013

Lucky

Well, even though the calendar says Friday the 13th, we've had a lucky day around Peachy Keen HQ! For starters, Georgia recently auditioned for her first school play, and she found out today that she made the cast! The parts will be decided after Monday's first read-through, but her theatre teacher thought Georgia did very well in the audition, especially for her first one ever, and she was very glad that she tried out. Another thespian in our midst? We'll see ...

Meanwhile, in my classroom, Ivy and the other kiddos surprised me with a belated celebration of my summer birthday. The whole idea was so far off my radar, I didn't even notice Ivy making the card and getting all the children to sign it! They brought me lunch, beautiful flowers, and chocolate - not too shabby!


And then, the best present of all, we got home to find a box from Votre Vu on the porch:

The back of the card says: "Brave, bright, and beautiful. 
My daughter is a warrior. My daughter is my hero."

If you order a special edition gold lipstick this month, you will receive one of six cards featuring a childhood cancer fighter, and $1 from each lipstick or other product purchased from the French Accents line will go to the St. Baldrick's Foundation for childhood cancer research. The 46 Mommas so appreciate this effort from Votre Vu, and we're grateful for yet another way to get the word out that kids get cancer, too, and they need our support. These lipsticks are a special release for September, hence the GOLD packaging for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so order yours today! And have a great weekend, y'all!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Grandparents Day

I've said it before, but this grandfather's post from the St. Baldrick's blog perfectly illustrates how childhood cancer affects the whole family. I'll never forget calling my dad right after being sent from the pediatrician's office to the hospital for an official diagnosis, and before I could say more than a few words, he just calmly said, over and over, "I'm coming." And he did come, and so did my mom. And so did Trevor's parents, who, quite fortuitously, had just moved to Austin two months before and were then living within earshot of the hospital. We all came together for Georgia and Ivy, for one of the most important, most difficult moments in our lives - and we made it through together.

So to Lolly, Poppa, Romy, and Ratty, we say thank you for your continued love and support. We love you and are so blessed and grateful to be able to call you "ours."



Saturday, September 7, 2013

Bright, Brave, and Beautiful

That's how I described Georgia on the photo card we were invited to create for these special edition lipsticks from Votre Vu. And whaddaya know? They used her card in the promotional flyer:


With this multi-year campaign, Votre Vu is really taking action and doing SOMETHING for childhood cancer. Their continued support of the 46 Mommas and the St. Baldrick's Foundation is making a difference and helping us raise awareness, funds, and hope. It's a beautiful thing! See for yourself:

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Action Items plus HOPE!

September is also Blood Cancer Awareness Month, so here's a way for you to take ACTION for leukemia, lymphoma, and Hodgkin's Disease fighters of all ages: Sign this petition from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and help us put an end to dangerous "specialty tier" pricing for anti-cancer medications. HR 460, the Patients' Access to Treatments Act of 2013 would eliminate harmful pricing structures that allow health insurers to charge so much for certain drugs that cancer patients are forced to skip doses – or go without crucial treatments altogether. These patients are already in a fight for their lives, and they shouldn't have to fight for their medicines as well. Please let your voice be heard!

Also, if you are in the Austin/Central Texas area, the Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas is currently in urgent need of O+ blood. You can schedule a donation appointment by phone or online or just walk in as soon as possible. And if you have a different blood type, or live outside of Central Texas, please donate when you can, and help ensure that a safe, steady blood supply is available for those who need it.

And finally, a HUGE congratulations goes out to Dell Children's Blood & Cancer Center and specifically to our hero, Dr. Neff, for being awarded a $250K Hyundai Hope Grant for childhood cancer research! Dr. Neff and his team will investigate the molecular changes in cancer cell metabolism in response to medications, with the goal of predicting outcomes and allowing for optimized care and personalized chemotherapy treatments. Dr. Neff says that "using the patients' blood and actual cancer cells to create a metabolic profile will greatly improve the understanding of the drugs and how they are used in therapy. This could result in higher survival rates in children with leukemia with less chance of relapse and with fewer side effects." That sounds like HOPE in ACTION to us!

Thumbs up!

Monday, September 2, 2013

We Can Do It!

Rosie the Riveter, 2007

It's Labor Day, and most of us are enjoying a nice day off. But since childhood cancer doesn't take a holiday, we wanted to encourage you to take action for kids in the fight. Raise awareness, donate blood, or register as a bone marrow donor. And if you'd like to help fund research (yes, please!), here are some ideas from the St. Baldrick's Foundation - no head-shaving required!


Today - and every day - we just ask that you do SOMETHING to help end childhood cancer.
We can do it!