Thursday, September 1, 2011

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Tonight's picture was clearly taken when Mattie was battling cancer. Though I haven't posted cancer pictures of Mattie recently, I felt like this one was appropriate for today. As it is September 1, this signals the beginning of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This happens to be one of the pictures I took of Mattie during his battle that I absolutely love. I am not sure why, maybe it was his beautiful smile, his engaging eyes, or the simple fact that despite cancer he was going to continue doing what he liked, which was building and creating things (minutes before this picture was taken, he had spent hours digging out tiny plastic bones from clay and then put the bones together to form this dinosaur). This picture is about perseverance, love, beauty, and trust. All things that cancer can not take away.

Quote of the day: Those who have suffered understand suffering and therefore extend their hand. ~ Patti Smith

I began my morning with an email from my friend and colleague, Denise. Denise wanted me to know that she looked at the Georgetown University Hospital's Pediatric newsletter and found Mattie and I on the front cover. I copied the first page of the article for you below, so you could see it. Linda, Mattie's Childlife Specialist, sent me an electronic copy of the newsletter today so I could see the article. I remember months ago helping the writer with this article, but what surprised me today was under Mattie's picture it said he battled cancer from 2002 to 2009. That would literally mean that Mattie was born with cancer. Mattie's battle with Osteosarcoma was from 2008 to 2009, and up until 2008, he was a healthy and happy little boy. As always when something upsets me it upsets Linda as well. So we were both equally upset at the same time reading this article, and we weren't even sitting next to each other. I mention this because this tells you the caliber of person Linda is, she is a Childlife Specialist but this is more than a job to her. After all, Mattie is long gone and I am no longer in the Hospital, yet she continues to care and support us. This may help my readers understand why Mattie Miracle stands behind supporting Linda, her program, and the incredible work she does with children and their families.

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time for Americans to reflect on the challenges faced by the thousands of young people living with the disease, and honor the memories of those who have passed. The medical community has made great strides in treating pediatric cancer, but we still have a long way to go. Cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for all children under the age of 15.

In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness month I wanted to share with you two things I came across today. The first item is a short video clip of an 11 year old boy name R.J. R.J. was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and as a result he missed almost an entire school year. But after 7 long months of treatment he was finally reunited with his classmates. In this video R.J. reflects on treatment, life with leukemia and what it was like to roll up his sleeves and get back to school. I found R.J.'s smile captivating and I was thoroughly impressed with his Boston school, which embraced R.J.'s return to school. The school's principal caught my attention because he invited R.J.'S nurses and childlife specialist to the school to educate the other children about cancer. The principal feels that learning for the children must take place beyond the classroom and instead of viewing cancer education in fear, he embraced it and in turn is demystifing it for this younger generation. I applaud him!

R.J.'s Story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp6Q5ULYLeM&feature=player_embedded

The final item I leave you with tonight is the presidential proclamation from 2010 announcing that September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I am not sure all my readers are aware of this fact, and though I could talk to you about my productive day and the exciting happenings with Mattie Miracle, I feel my ultimate goal tonight is make sure you know about the importance of SEPTEMBER!

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http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/10/presidential-proclamation-childhood-cancer-awareness-month

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 10, 2010

Presidential Proclamation--Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Each year, thousands of children face the battle against cancer with inspiring hope and incredible bravery. When a child is diagnosed with cancer, an entire family and community are affected. The devotion of parents, grandparents, loved ones, and friends creates a treasured network of support for these courageous children. During National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, we honor the young lives taken too soon and the survivors who face chronic health challenges, we celebrate the progress made in treatment and recovery, and we rededicate ourselves to fighting this disease so all children may have the chance to live a full and healthy life.

While survival rates for many childhood cancers have risen sharply over the past few decades, cancer is still the leading cause of death by disease for young Americans between infancy and age 15. Too many families have been touched by cancer and its consequences, and we must work together to control, and ultimately defeat, this destructive disease. I invite all Americans to visit Cancer.gov for more information and resources about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of childhood cancers.

Tragically, the causes of cancer in children are largely unknown. Until these illnesses can be cured, my Administration will continue to support investments in research and treatment. The National Cancer Institute, the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research, is supporting national and international studies examining the risk factors and possible causes of childhood cancers.

The health reforms included in the landmark Affordable Care Act advance critical protections for individuals facing cancer. Provisions in the law prohibit insurance companies from limiting or denying coverage to individuals participating in clinical trials, the cornerstone of cancer research. After recovering from cancer, children can no longer be denied insurance coverage due to a pre-existing condition. It also requires all new plans to provide preventive services without charging copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance, increasing access to regular checkups that can help detect and treat childhood cancers earlier. The Affordable Care Act eliminates annual and lifetime caps on insurance coverage and prohibits companies from dropping coverage if someone gets sick, giving patients and families the peace of mind that their insurance will cover the procedures their doctors recommend.

This month, we pay tribute to the health-care professionals, researchers, private philanthropies, social support organizations, and parent advocacy groups who work together to provide hope and help to families and find cures for childhood cancers. Together, we will carry on their work toward a future in which cancer no longer threatens the lives of our Nation's children.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2010 as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I also encourage all Americans to join me in recognizing and reaffirming our commitment to fighting childhood cancer.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA