In the meantime, we have been working on finding a place for the items that have been donated to Break the Grey while seeking to honor our mission and the donors' original intent to give to kids with cancer. We have been in contact with the directors of two different organizations, and last week the final transition was made.
When our team was trying to decide where to allocate our remaining resources, both Meghan's Mountain and Aiden's Lego Legacy came to mind. These organizations - both founded by cancer survivors - are dedicated to supporting and encouraging families facing childhood cancer. As we discussed ways we could contribute to both organizations with our resources, we thought: why not do both?
Meghan's Mountain and Aiden's Lego Legacy are partnering together in December to host the second annual "Larger Than Cancer" Christmas Party for kids in current treatment for childhood cancer and their families. I am pleased to write that all of the items that were donated to Break the Grey that had not yet found a home - toys, decorations, parent gift baskets, etc. - have now found a home here.
Last week we sorted and organized all of the remaining items and sent them off with the director of Aiden's Lego Legacy to be stored for the upcoming party. When I think about how Break the Grey started - as a party to bring joy, hope, support, encouragement, and a brief distraction from the childhood cancer world - I cannot think of a better place to send the last of our resources!
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| Some of the very first items donated in January 2006 - when I tried to fit it all into my bedroom |
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| Eventually we moved all of the items to the basement |
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| Sorting items for the first Break the Grey party in January 2006 |
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| After 8 years and countless generous donations by generous people, this is what was left to sort in June 2014 |
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| Look at all of this stuff! |
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| And yes, my hair is a lot shorter (and less fluffy) than in 2006 - I shaved my head in May to raise money for childhood cancer |
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| The final product - all organized and ready to go to its new home |
1. Give time, give money.
Volunteer and/or donate to Meghan's Mountain and/or Aiden's Lego Legacy. Each organization has a Facebook page with more info.
Donate your time not only to kids with cancer, but to other kids facing a variety of health crises at Kosair Children's Hospital. Contact their volunteer office for more info on getting involved.
2. Accessorize.
Gold is the "color" for childhood cancer awareness. (Each specific cancer has its own color as well - for example, lymphoma is lime green, leukemia is orange, brain tumors are grey, etc.) Wear a gold ribbon (or lime green, orange, grey, etc.). When people ask, speak up. Make them aware of the reality of childhood cancer.
3. Walk, run, hike, bike.
Sign up to get moving for kids with cancer! Join CureSearch, an organization dedicated to funding the cure for childhood cancer, for their walk to end childhood cancer on September 13, 2014 in Louisville, KY. Click here for more info.
Feeling a little more ambitious? The Leukemia/Lymphoma Society teams up with Nike to host athletic events all over the country to beat blood cancers (which includes acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer). Or take a road trip to Memphis, TN to participate in the St. Jude marathon.
Up for an adventure rather than a run? Join up with CureSearch for the Ultimate Hike, and tell childhood cancer to "take a hike," or with Norton Cancer Institute here in Louisville to bike to beat cancer.
4. Eat, drink, and be merry.
Fuel up after all of that moving with a glass of lemonade benefiting Alex's Lemonade Stand, or eat at Chili's. Each year in September, which is childhood cancer awareness month, Chili's donates a portion of their proceeds to childhood cancer research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Many local Chili's support local childhood cancer care in their area as well.
5. Watch a movie.
No, I don't mean "The Fault in Our Stars." I'm talking about "My Sister's Keeper," which came out in 2009. While the situation the movie describes is pretty atypical, it depicts what life is like for a family facing childhood cancer. Watch it, talk about it. Get a preview here.
6. Use your outside voice.
Speak up. Pass it on. Talk about it. Write about it. Tweet it, post it, blog it, share it, copy and paste it. Use your words. Use your influence.
7. Cut your hair or shave your head.
The stereotypical image of a child fighting cancer is one without hair. The St. Baldrick's Foundation decided to utilize this image to the kids' advantage. Now, every March, St. Baldrick's events are held nationwide. During these events, people form teams and have people sponsor them to shave their heads. St. Baldrick's is one of the leading fundraisers for childhood cancer research. Not only does the money go to a good cause, but it also lets the kids know that we're behind them and we support them in a tangible way.
If you're not brave enough to shave your head, just get a haircut! Donate any time to Wigs for Kids, or grow your hair out and wait until next spring at the annual Chili's Clip for Kids event, where you can cut your hair and raise money directly for the kids fighting cancer locally at the Addion Jo Blair Cancer Center at Kosair Children's Hospital.
8. Donate blood.
Many chemotherapy drugs wreak havoc on kids' bone marrow, leaving them in need of blood and/or platelet transfusions. Your donations really are life-giving. And before you play the "I can't do that; I'm scared of needles" card, please think about the kids in question here. Think about what they endure on a daily basis (if you need a little help, spend some time clicking through our blog or go to YouTube and type in "childhood cancer"). Could you endure one poke to save one child's life?
9. Join the bone marrow registry.
Many kids undergoing cancer treatment will need a bone marrow transplant, either as part of their front line therapy or as part of their treatment if their cancer returns. Unfortunately, some kids die waiting because a suitable bone marrow match cannot be found. You could be the one. Sign up with the National Bone Marrow Registry to be the match.
10. Pray.
Pray for these kids. Pray for their families. Pray for hope, joy, endurance, patience, peace, courage, perseverance, and comfort. Pray for the message of the cross to meet them where they are - and for the hope of Christ to come flooding in.
To those of you who have volunteered and partnered with us in time, money, space, vehicles, manpower, prayers, toys, and other donations as we've striven to not just check off many of the items on the above list, but to advance the Kingdom of God here on earth - my deepest and sincerest thank you. Whether you have been with us for all eight years or only for the past one or two, you have made a difference. I am forever thankful for your partnership. "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all, making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:3-6
To our Break the Grey families - thank you for allowing us to enter into your lives and to take part in your story. Thank you for setting an example for all of us and for sharing your beautiful children. Know that we still love you, and we're always with you and for you. "For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for." - 2 Corinthians 13:9
Although this is the end, I plan to keep this blog open as a resource for education, advocacy, and awareness of childhood cancer, as well as a means of encouragement and support for families still walking this road.
But mostly, I'm going to leave it open so that we can remember and celebrate the faithfulness of God. Because no matter what happens, we are still loved and He is still Good. Always.
Finally, know that I, as the founder of Break the Grey, am forever thankful - for our families, for our volunteers and our partners, and for our God, and words will never be enough.
"Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." - Isaiah 26:8
Always, always, always hanging on to hope, believing in miracles, and never, ever giving up,
Sarah
