We had our second party of 2012 a week ago yesterday. Last Friday, February 10 we headed over to 7 West, the Children's Cancer Care and Renal Center at Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville, KY. Like the Riley party preceding it, the Kosair party was great! We had lots of families come to eat food, paint pottery, do crafts, open gifts, hang out, and just play.
A huge THANK YOU to those who donated to make our party even more fun: to Chik-fil-A for the nugget tray; to Earth and Fire pottery for providing the ceramics, paint, brushes, time, and kiln; to Great Harvest Bread Company for the bread and spreads; to Adrienne's Bakery for the sweet treats; to the Christian Academy of Indiana students and families for collecting the items for our families; to all of the stores who gave us discounts; and to our awesome volunteers who came and served our families.
One of our long time Break the Grey families, the McSweeneys, was there. Patrick was first diagnosed with leukemia at age five in 2004. After undergoing over 3 years of front line chemotherapy, he relapsed in April 2010. He is now 12-years-old and should finish his intensive relapse treatment protocol this summer. Patrick and his family have the greatest attitude and made our party a lot of fun with their laughter and participation. One of Patrick's older brothers, Alex, even joined us! As we were cleaning up, Patrick's mom approached me and began thanking me. She had already begun to read the book that came in her parent basket and Patrick was "in 7th heaven." He was already shooting his nurses with the Nerf gun he got from the party and asking, "Why can't they do this more often?" His dad had this to say about our team: "Your team brought rays of sunshine to many families tonight. I saw kids laugh and play, parents smile, and the loving hand of God touch all there tonight through your love and effort. Thank you and God Bless!"
It made my night knowing that we could "break the grey" of a boring hospital stay for kids like Patrick and his family. Please continue to pray for Patrick and his family as they press on.
Please pray that the seeds planted at our parties - both at Riley and at Kosair - would be watered and would grow. Please pray for each of the families that we met - over 50 families between the two parties. They are all fighting such valiant battles, and most are weary. This is hard. Please pray for grace, strength, perseverance, peace, courage, joy, and hope.
While you're praying, please remember Susana's family. Last Saturday, February 11 marked exactly one year since she went to heaven.
Alex could also use continued prayers. He has restarted immune system replacement therapy following the relapse of his immune deficiency. His first treatment was tough, but he is pressing on and handling himself with grace and courage. Please pray that his transition back to treatment would be smooth.
You can also give thanks for Adam and his family! His most recent scans showed no evidence of disease! Adam remains cancer-free only a few months after finishing treatment! Woo hoo!
And, as always, please continue to pray for us as a ministry and a team as we seek to continue to love Jesus, love families, and bring the Kingdom of God here and now.
Hoping, Believing, and Never Giving up,
Sarah
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