Sandy Daron's message reminded me that I have not updated this week. I will admit that I don't know what to say these days. Thanks to Jason Beam for giving me some direction for today's post.
I did return to Children's Hospital this week. I was ready to get the first visit back to the hospital since Megan's death over with. It was tough going back there. On the other hand, it was good to see the nurses, doctors, chaplain, and other staff that make Children's Hospital such a special place. Over the past 21 months they have become an important part of our family.
Jason and I did have and extended lunch with Emily from the hospital to talk about how we can support Children's Hospital in memory of our children to make a difference in the lives of kids who do not yet know they need the hospital's services. Until this happened with Megan, I didn't realize that 95% of Alabama children diagnosed with cancer will be treated at Children's Hospital! The hospital needs and deserves our support. We don't realize what a treasure we have there.
Emily told me that approximately $10,000 in memorial gifts has been given since Megan's death. If you planned to give but haven't done so, use the address to the right and do so today. We will also provide future opportunities to get involved.
I want to share my dream with you. It is so big that I don't know if it is possible, at least for several years. My dream is that we can endow a fellowship at Children's Hospital which will provide yearly funding to train future pediatric oncologists -- doctors who will be treating our children as they fight this disease. This will require raising between $500,000 and $1,000,000!!! I don't deal with those amounts of money and don't have it to give. But I do believe that if ALL of us will do what we can, it is a goal we can reach. These are funds that will directly affect the quality of care that children receive.
Emily told us that around 140 children will be diagnosed with cancer this year in this state alone. That is 140 new diagnoses, 140 children who will be told they have cancer. I have lived the horror of hearing the word "cancer" used in my family three times now -- my father, my wife, and my daughter -- and know the devastation the news brings.
This spring we created Team Megan to support Megan in her fight. I want to ask everyone who rallied in support of Megan to continue to fight -- until every child is cured!
