Good morning sweet community. We are coming up on Isla’s 6th birthday and continue to celebrate the joy-filled life she led and the beauty she brought to all of our lives. One of the ways we will celebrate her this year is making our annual donation of toys to the MACC Fund Center at Children’s Wisconsin- the unit where she received her treatment. 

Nurses and the child life specialists bring these toys to children whenever they need a boost- before a tough procedure, after being held down for an NG tube placement, after being convinced to remain still for a dressing change, when they are feeling discouraged after an ineffective treatment, when they are missing their friends after being pulled out of school for the year, when they are getting bored after weeks in the same room, as a congratulations for leaving the ICU or when (like Isla) they’ve struck a sweet deal when being asked to choke down a yucky medicine. 

Toys may seem trivial, but they truly were what made the difference between Isla sitting in front of her iPad or getting out of her bed to play each day. Her getting out of bed is what kept her joy strong and her joy is what kept me going. 

We  will collect toys over the next week. If you’d like to contribute, you can either:

1. Purchase from the Amazon list I created:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2HWJQ8W3UUR6F?ref_=wl_share

OR

2. If you live locally, you can drop off any donations from local stores directly to my home. Toys must be new and without violent or religious themes. No body products (lotion, lip balm, nail polish, etc) are permitted. I will have a purple bin set out next to my front porch for collection. 7804 W. Clarke St. 

Our family will deliver the toys to Children’s Wisconsin on Isla’s birthday, October 25. Please make any purchases before October 20 to ensure they are delivered to us in time for the drop-off! 

Thank you so much for the continued love and care. 

                                      Happy 6th birthday, Isla Bear. Your fire continues to burn, big girl.