Dear Family and Friends,
We will be leaving for Lake Havasu with our friends soon, but I wanted to do a quick update to let you know how our Washington D.C. trip went.

We arrived in D.C. on Friday which gave us some time to visit with my great friend Kelli from Mater Dei High School and her daughter Lauren.  We all had dinner together and hung out which was so fun since we don't get to see each other very often. Lauren and Garrett got competitive in some Wii sports :)

The next day we spent with my sister Suzanne and her husband Brandt who went to D.C. to represent their state of Tennessee.  They got to meet both of the Tennessee Senators, and they did an awesome job of conveying the serious need for more funding for childhood cancer.  This was their first time to D.C. to advocate for Childhood Cancer (CC), but probably not their last. They understand how important speaking up for cancer kids is.  They did a ton of sight seeing while they were there and I hope they had fun.

We finally got tomeet the Boyer's who are wonderful family that we have 'known' for 2-1/2 years but have never met.  Their son ^Spencer^ died almost 7 months before ^Christian^.  It was so great meeting Joan (mom), Ray (dad), and John Paul (Spencer's cute little brother).  Meeting them was wonderful and we all felt like we have known each other forever.  This was their first time to D.C. to be advocates for CC for Louisiana and they also did great.

We were all able to have dinner with the Rob and Monique Whan too.  Their little guy Caleb died  from the same type of leukemia ^Christian^ had.  It was great seeing them and I hope we can all get together again soon.  There were so many other people there who I have met once before in D.C. and many that I have never met.  Childhood cancer is an odd world...you truly feel like you know people you have never met.  Most of us have followed each other's caringbridge websites and supported each other for so long that we feel like we know one another.  There is no awkwardness, just lots of hugs.

Monday was training for our Tuesday Capitol Hill visits.  
Tuesday started pretty amazing.  While we were walking near the capitol on our way to the Congressional buildings to get to our appointments, we ran into John McCain as he was at the cross walk.  We took our picture with him and talked for a brief minute before he ran off.  It started the day off interesting. 

We ended up having only 6 visits on this trip, where usually I have 11-12.  That is a bummer because we like to hit as many offices as possible since we are flying across the US.  We did a 'stop by' visit to our Congressman John Campbell but  saw his health aid since her was not there.  One run in meeting that was awesome was with Congressman Bachus of Alabama.  I was a bit lost between buildings and I asked him which way the Cannon building was (that is where we were headed).  He said for us to follow him and our conversation began.  I didn't know who he was.  We told him that we were with CureSearch to advocate for the need for more funding for childhood cancer.  Congressman Bachus and his Chief of Staff Michael talked for us for a while and looked at ^Christian's^ funeral program (that is what I give out to all of the Congressional leaders/Senators in D.C.). Congressman Bachus told us that his wife if very involved in cancer support activities, and there is someone in his office that had cancer.  We gave them a shortened version of what is going on in the poorly funded childhood cancer world, and we could tell they understood.  They seemed to realize enough is not being done by our government and offered to support our efforts.  We discussed our upcoming GOLD RUSH CURE FOUNDATION INC. with them too.  After Congressman Bachus had to run off to vote, Michael stayed and gave us his contact information.  He said to email him and they will do what they can.  What amazes me the most about Bachus' office is we have already received 2 emails from them and we aren't even from his state.  Gary's brother and sis-in-law and their daughter is, but we aren't.  We'd like to give a shout out to all Alabama residents to support Congressman Bachus!  He is a great man as is his staff.  Thanks Congressman Bachus in advance for any support you can give childhood cancer funding or GRCF.

We flew back to California and got home last night, and are getting ready to leave for the river.  I am ready for some relaxing and I REALLY need to put my foot up.  It is BAD!  I kept popping Advil during my trip because I had to walk a lot...especially on Capitol Hill day.  Now it is so swollen, bruised, and hurts.  I am icing it again as I type.  Please pray for my foot to heal 100% soon.  I haven't worked out in 3 weeks now, and that is really hard for me.  Exercise is a HUGE vent for my stress and it makes me feel so much better.  I am use to running 5 miles 4-5 times a week, but my foot hurts if I walk for 5 minutes on it.  It is making me bummed and I am praying it heals FULLY and QUICKLY!

Thank you for your prayers as we were in D.C.  It always feels so good speaking up for ALL cancer kids.  Before going to D.C., I go online and review all of the cancer kids that I am aware of and let them know I will be speaking up for them too.  I hope they know it.  We will never forget what they all had to endure and we will never forget them!  I will be proud of each one of them forever!

Pictures from the Washington DC  trip are here.

Please pray that our trip to Havasu is fun and safe.  We hope you are having a great summer with your families. 

Love,
Sandy, Gary, ^^Christian^^, Garrett, and Kendall Barker
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