PROGRESS!

 Today looked like THIS!

The STAR Act - the most comprehensive childhood cancer bill ever introduced - passed the House! Thanks to the tireless efforts of so many advocates, allies, and families, we're one step closer to ALL kids diagnosed with cancer surviving and thriving. Next stop - Appropriations! 
 
Georgia and I had an incredible visit to Washington, D.C. last month with the 46 Mommas, and it's so exciting to see the impact we had on today's vote. It's been a long time coming, and we're thrilled to have had the opportunity to get this landmark legislation over the line. And in typical Georgia fashion, she impressed everyone we spoke with on the Hill and did a stellar job on the interview from before and after the event:

 You can still help make a difference for kids fighting cancer 

by donating to the latest and greatest research HERE. 

Thank you, Friends of Georgia, for your continued support!

SIX!

It's APRIL 29TH, Friends of Georgia, so you know what that means! Today we are celebrating Georgia's SIXTH year off treatment! It's always such a big day, but Georgia upped the excitement this year by choosing today to make a big decision - college! After a whirlwind but very informative (and fun) trip to five of her Boston-area choices last week and a final visit to UT on Monday, she thoughtfully considered each one, narrowed it down, and the winner is ...

She'll be enrolled in the five-year combined degree program in the Tufts School of Arts and Sciences and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) at Tufts. She'll take classes at both the Medford campus and the Museum School near Fenway Park, so she'll get the best of all worlds in a wonderful city among like-minded and creative people. She is very excited, and of course, we are so proud of and excited for her. Thank you all for your support and enthusiasm, too. This is the culmination of so much, and she's ready to start the next chapter. Graduation is one month from today, and move-in is four months from today ... xo

This Just In!

Georgia began her press junket on Thursday with an interview at school with the local Fox station. She spoke so eloquently about her journey, our plans for the 46 Mommas event in D.C., and the importance of the STAR Act. The piece will air later this week, after we've sent in pictures and video from the event. Which brings me to this late breaking item ...

GEORGIA IS SHAVING HER HEAD!

She decided she could make a bigger impact in her meetings on the Hill by shaving again in solidarity with kids fighting cancer. The fact that she can make the choice to go bald means a lot to her, and that she thought through the decision and announced her plan on her own means a lot to us. SO, she will brave the shave on Monday and be bright and shiny on Tuesday, and she would like to raise some money for the St. Baldrick's Foundation in the process ... of course she would! Click HERE to honor our brave girl and help fund the latest and greatest childhood cancer research. She wants to raise $600 for her SIXTH year off treatment - and she's shaving on Monday, so please consider donating now! 

Thank you, Friends of Georgia, for your continued love and support, and we'll report back from D.C. soon!

Actual College Girl

Over the last two months, Georgia has been hard at work on her senior year projects, including delivering the most incredible Senior Speech and sharing valuable advice and encouragement with her school (and biological) sisters. She captured everything that her seven years at Ann Richards has taught her about who she is and what she's capable of, and she was almost as proud of herself as we were. What a day!

Since then, we are happy to report that the college letters have been rolling in, with great news and exciting opportunities. Besides Trinity, Georgia was also accepted at the University of Texas, Northeastern, Wellesley, Smith, Vassar, and Tufts, and she's on the waitlist for Brown and the Rhode Island School of Design. Not one no in the bunch. How about them apples?! She and I will be visiting five of the schools in mid-April on the heels of our trip to Washington D.C. to advocate for passage and funding of the STAR Act for childhood cancer research. More on that later.

We know we've been absent for a bit, but we've been soaking in every moment of this process and enjoying Georgia see her dedication to her schoolwork and her art pay off in spades. She's got a big decision in front of her, and we're looking forward to the next part of her journey. Stay tuned!

Where There's a Georgia, There's a Way

Remember this? 

The day Will met Georgia, he was in town for an event supporting Cancer for College, which provides scholarships for cancer survivors. That day, he told Georgia that when it was time for her to go to college, she could apply for one of their scholarships, and now, amazingly, here we are. She just submitted her application. Regardless of what happens, we will always remember how kind and attentive he was and how hard he works to help kids who've beaten cancer follow their dreams to college. So cool. It's just hard to believe that was 8 years ago!

Georgia is pretty much back to 100% after the rocky start to the year, and her timing couldn't have been better. She has been busy, busy with school (who says Seniors coast in the spring?!), Teen Council at the art museum, and, of course, her beloved swimming. Just this past weekend alone, she participated in both the State Youth and Government Conference AND the District Swim Meet, where, after a few moments of confusion, we found out her 400 Free Relay team qualified for Regionals! It was such a nice surprise (and relief!) to know she has another swim in her, and she is looking forward to traveling to Texas A&M with her team and her amazing coach this weekend. You know our girl - she Just. Keeps. Swimming!

The delegates from Ann Richards making the good Governor very proud.

Senator Moore in the Senate Chambers saving the bees!

 Still smiling, even before she knew the Starfish were going to Regionals,

and her last swim season wasn't *quite* over.

The Dynamic Duo - Georgia's swim coach AND Youth and Government sponsor

and a million other things at ARS, Ms. DiCuffa