Friday, November 2, 2018

Friday, November 2, 2018

Tonight's picture was taken in October of 2005. Mattie was 3 years old and was in preschool. That year Mattie wanted to dress up like our cat, Patches. So we went to the craft store together and bought pieces of colorful felt. Brought it home and hot glued it to a black sweat suit. Sweat suits were Mattie's costume base of choice. Unfortunately that year, Mattie got quite ill, so ill that he was hospitalized for several days with sepsis.  Mattie never trick or treated that year and we were at a hospital that did not have a pediatric program. So there was nothing there for Mattie, and even the nurses felt badly about this. Nonetheless, we saved the costume and Mattie used it in 2006. 

Quote of the day: Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. ~ Mark Twain


After my ordeal yesterday, of which I wrote about on the blog, I had two friends today write to me. One friend knows me for years, as we got our doctorates together. Another friend runs a childhood cancer organization. Both of whom made it their business to write to me to let me know how professional I am, how skilled I am, and most of all that I am the ultimate team player. But what they wanted me to know is Mattie Miracle is me. If Mattie Miracle made it for nine years, it is because of me. So I agree with Twain's quote.... kindness is a language and can be felt by ALL of us. As I know their kind comments changed my whole mood. 

Today marks the 9th birthday for Mattie Miracle. On this day (November 2) in 2009, Mattie Miracle was incorporated in the state of Virginia.

Thanks to incredible support from all our dear volunteers, supporters and donors, we have been able to accomplish great things on both the National and Local levels, including...................

1. Developing the first ever evidence-based Psychosocial Standards of Care for children with cancer and their families;
2. Supporting over 21,000 children with cancer and families;
3. Funding 3 Child Life Specialists at multiple hospitals;
4. Operating multiple in-patient snack carts to provide free snacks and items to families;
5. Delivering over 25,000 pounds of candy and over 15,000 toiletry items to in-patient families;
6. Advocating for comprehensive cancer care, so that our society knows that childhood cancer "Is Not Just About The Medicine!"

Our first large donation of candy! From the Lab School in Washington, DC.

The candy drive set up! We are taking up an entire garage.

Tomorrow is our first sorting party in the garage. We have a ton to process and I am thankful for the help! I can't get over how far and wide the candy drive gets advertised! What I am happy about is people seem eager to drive to us this year, rather than me running around town picking up candy.