Rainbow Connection

We have been in a glorious whirl for the past 36 hours, thanks to our buddy, SuperMax of MaxLove Project fame. Inspired by his love for - and incredible talent with - the Rainbow Loom, he decided to loom the World's Longest Rainbow Loom Chain and invited the WORLD to join him. Kids from all over have been sending in loom creations and supplies to help him get the world record, and he will be celebrating his 7th birthday by fundraising with a Loom-a-Thon tomorrow! 

The Parkside Community School Rainbow Loom Club sprang into action 

and sent in close to 50 feet of rainbow love!

In the last few weeks, word has really gotten around about our SuperFriend and his SuperPowers and his SuperHEART, and SuperMax was invited to appear on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show on Wednesday night! Jimmy had been holding his own Rainbow Loom event where he invited kids to send in loom creations that he had made into a suit. He wore the finished product on the show and then donated it to be auctioned off for the MaxLove Project! Currently, the bidding is over $30,000 - 100% of which will go to help kids thrive against cancer!

Max in his Rainbow Loom cape

 He also got to meet Iron Man and ... Ellen!

Max did SO well on the show, and Jimmy was clearly moved by his bravery and strength. Watch and share the video below, and help us continue to spread the MaxLOVE for kids fighting cancer! And keep Max in your thoughts and prayers as he undergoes a big surgery on Sunday. You can follow his journey on Facebook at Team SuperMax. Thank you, Max, and keep on beating those bad guys!

Funds=Research=Cures

Childhood cancer research can benefit not only all types of cancer but also other diseases and serious medical issues that affect children. Our friends, Kaylyn and Jon, who have followed Georgia's journey and supported our fundraising efforts, saw this firsthand when their daughter, Elise, was diagnosed with a rare tumor at just two months old. Called melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy, Elise's tumor was only locally aggressive (thankfully) but required a complicated surgery and continued monitoring through our clinic, the Children's Blood and Cancer Center. Six months later, she is still tumor-free, and so to celebrate Elise and to help further research into her tumor type and all childhood cancers, Kaylyn is going to be brave and Go BALD! Next month, she will lose her locks at the Dell Children's St. Baldrick's event, and the rest of the Peachy Keens will be there to support her! If you'd like to be a hero for Elise, Georgia, and all kids in the fight, you can donate HERE. Thanks, y'all!

Olympic Fever

We have definitely got it here at Peachy Keen HQ! We love watching the events, keeping track of the medals, and hearing the athletes' stories. One in particular hit pretty close to home and is an example of the strength and determination it takes to do nearly superhuman things like compete as a world class athlete or beat cancer - or both. Meet Bryan Fletcher:



HERE is another great clip with Bryan and his brother, Taylor - also an Olympian! And this story about snowboarder Shaun White, who had the good fortune of meeting two of his biggest fans, Wish Kids Ben and Kaitlyn. So cool, and so much bigger than any gold medal. USA! USA!

Go Green

There are many reasons we believe so strongly in the St. Baldrick's Foundation - the focus on research, the collaboration and support for all types of childhood cancer, the volunteer-driven organizational model, to name a few - but one of the biggest is the people. From our first event in 2010 to today, we've met and worked with some incredibly dedicated folks, and that passion to fund cures and safer treatments starts at the very top. I had the pleasure of spending time with St. Baldrick's CEO Kathleen Ruddy at the Mommas' shave in San Antonio, and not only does this superwoman talk the talk, she walks the walk. Here she is with her beautiful bald head, which she shaved in memory of St. Baldrick's Ambassador Justin just this week:

 

As so many of you have donated to our fundraising efforts for St. Baldrick's over the years, we want to say thank you, thank you again. And we want you to know that your dollars are making a difference! Plus, you once again helped make the 46 Mommas' campaign one of the Top 10 campaigns of 2013!

Speaking of the 46 Mommas, our message has been going worldwide as of late! First, an article appeared on Huffington Post Canada about our top fundraising Momma for 2013. That article was picked up by Marie Claire Brazil, and today, we made the French online magazine aufeminin! That's three continents down - who's next? 

We'll start this year's fundraising in earnest in the next few weeks. Lots of different things in the works, as always, but all with one common goal: conquering childhood cancer! We hope you'll join the fight, too, so stay tuned!

Out for a Morning Run

This morning, we had the pleasure of once again volunteering for the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon. Instead of our usual gig with Superhero Kids, we helped out at the Parkside water stop at Mile 1.7. Being that close to the start meant we had to be there e-a-r-l-y, but Georgia and the friends she enlisted were bright-eyed and ready to go when we woke them at 4:30 AM! Even after a sleepover and glorified "nap" of four hours, they were all so sweet and eager to help. And we needed all hands on deck because the runners came by in pretty much one big pack of 10,000! It was fun and very inspiring, as always, and our "crew" is ready to do it again next year.

 

Good Morning!

 

 Waiting for runners

Practicing their form

Sassy Magee at 6 AM

 In action!

All done! Thanks, girls!

Rise and Shine

Yesterday, Georgia helped serve pancakes at a fundraising breakfast for her trip to Washington, D.C.. It was touch-and-go with the weather earlier in the week, but after a delayed start Thursday and a "snow day" Friday, the sun came out for a beautiful Saturday! We had a crew of 11, and everyone was impressed with the girls' serving skills and professionalism - and the pancakes! This is an annual event, and the restaurant manager said that of all the school events they sponsor, they love working with the Ann Richards girls the best. Way to go!

Some of you have asked how you can support Georgia's fundraising efforts, so if you would like to donate online to her trip, click HERE. If you'd prefer to send a check, email us for the address. The deadline is March 28. Thank you!

  

Georgia loves to travel and is so looking forward to this trip -

who knows where she might be off to next!

World Cancer Day in Pictures

And

We celebrated with a bike ride

And this 

 

One more appointment before Georgia moves to 

the LIVESTRONG Survivorship Clinic. 

Bittersweet, but such a blessing.

SUPER!

This week only! You can be a SUPER hero for kids fighting cancer by purchasing these awesome Marvel t-shirts! Proceeds from sales now through February 9th will support the 46 Mommas Shave for the Brave campaign for the St. Baldrick's Foundation. Adult and kid sizes available - while supplies last. Let's CONQUER, y'all!

And now through February 14th, you can save 50% off all headware from MaxLove Brand! Use this code: MONTHOFMAXLOVE. Give MaxLove and help SUPER kids thrive against cancer!