A Remembrance Video of Mattie

Thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive!

Dear Mattie Blog Readers,

It means a great deal to me that you take the time to write and to share your thoughts, feelings, and reflections on Mattie's battle and death. Your messages are very meaningful and help support me through very challenging times. I am forever grateful. As my readers know, I promised to write the blog for a year after Mattie's death, which would mean that I could technically have stopped writing on September 9, 2010. However, like my journey with grief there is so much that still needs to be processed and fortunately I have a willing support network still committed to reading. Therefore, the blog continues on. If I should find the need to stop writing, I assure you I will give you advanced notice. In the mean time, thank you for reading, thank you for having the courage to share this journey with me, and most importantly thank you for keeping Mattie's memory alive.


As Mattie would say, Ooga Booga (meaning, I LOVE YOU)! Vicki



February 27, 2017

Monday, February 27, 2017

Monday, February 27, 2017

Tonight's picture was taken in April of 2005. Mattie was holding up three fingers. Why? Because we were celebrating his third birthday that day and I asked him.... how old are you? As you can see Mattie let me know!!! 




Quote of the day: It takes so much energy to keep things at bay. Sue Monk Kidd


We are very honored to received our 11th endorsement of the Psychosocial Standards of Care from the B+ Foundation. What is particularly wonderful about this endorsement is it is from a fellow childhood cancer Foundation. It is vital to have the support of childhood cancer advocates because ultimately the Standards are designed to benefit children and their families. They are the reasons we are passionate about creating change and having true comprehensive cancer care implemented. Psychosocial care and support not just during diagnosis but throughout the cancer journey, which includes survivorship or end of life and bereavement. 

We had the opportunity to meet Joe McDonough, the Founder of B+, at our Psychosocial Symposium on Capitol Hill in March of 2012. He and his daughter attended that full day event and we have been connected to Joe ever since. We greatly admire all that Joe does to emotionally support children with cancer as well as the incredible funds he raises to offer this support and to fuel research. It means a lot to us that Joe stands behind our work and our mission. 

The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation honors the life of Andrew McDonough. Andrew battled leukemia, septic shock and complications of childhood cancer for 167 days before passing away on July 14, 2007, at the age of 14. Andrew’s B+ blood type became his family’s and friends’ motto throughout his fight against childhood cancer — to “Be Positive.”

The B+ Foundation is about Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer — raising money through dance marathons, 5Ks, T-shirt sales and more, to provide financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer nationwide. The B+ Foundation also funds critical, cutting-edge childhood cancer research.

To Read B+ Foundation's endorsement of the Standards, go to:
http://bepositive.org/b-foundation-endorses-psychosocial-standards-care/


This evening I designed these floral arrangements for our annual volunteer appreciation dinner tomorrow night. To me, no table arrangement is ever complete without flowers. There is something special about seeing flowers and also their fragrance.... especially during the winter months!

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