Tonight's picture was taken in July of 2009. Literally a month before we found out that Mattie's cancer was terminal. I mean seriously look at Mattie. Does he look like he was about to die in two months? It is still hard to wrap my head around this. This photo was taken during one of Mattie's PT sessions in the hospital. Anna, Mattie's PT, was fantastic! The ultimate PT. She wasn't only competent but very skilled with dealing with the physical and mental challenges Mattie faced. Anna was the only one who was honest with me about the physical disabilities Mattie faced post limb salvaging surgery. Which I appreciated because without her knowledge, I would have thought something was wrong given that Mattie wasn't progressing with his movement. Anna found fun and creative ways to get Mattie up and using his body, which wasn't easy because he was typically in pain.
Quote of the day: I am somewhat exhausted; I wonder how a battery feels when it pours electricity into a non-conductor? ~ Arthur Conan Doyle
I relate to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's quote tonight. At this time of year with the Foundation's biggest fundraiser, I have two modes...... VERY ON or OFF from exhaustion. I work around the clock on walk details, coordinating people, and trying to raise money. Any one of those items is enough for one person, adding them all up together, it is too much..... and tonight I have hit my tired limit.
Here are some Walk Facts:
- As of today we have reached 72% of our Walk goal: $57,253 (goal is $80,000)
- We have 16 Walk Teams, who have raised $17,900 in total so far
- We have 23 sponsors, who have given us $26,000
- We have sold $1,200 worth of raffle tickets on line
For more details about the Walk, go to: www.mmcfwalk.com
Mattie Miracle is very transparent about how we spend our Walk proceeds. A good chunk of the money goes to our local programs (child life and snack carts) and the rest goes to our national psychosocial standards project (which is now working on implementation of the standards).
Mattie Miracle runs two snacks carts that offer FREE drinks, candy, more nutritional snacks, and toiletry items to families caring for a child in the hospital. These carts are located at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Children's Hospital at Sinai.
Meet Morganne........MedStar Georgetown University Hospital's newest member of the Child Life staff. Morganne's position is funded fully by Mattie Miracle. The Foundation established the Mattie Miracle Child Life Program Fund in 2011, because we know the importance these specialists play in the daily lives of children with cancer and their families in reducing fear, anxiety and pain. On average this Mattie Miracle position supports the lives of 3,500 children and families at the Hospital a year.
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