Food for thought!

Sometimes it seems crazy, the things we'll do for people we've never even met; but for some of us that won't change the fact that we do what we do because we give a damn! We give a damn because that's the way God set us up to be, there's just no other way we could do things!!

Let me give you an example using myself as the subject:
Last year, at this exact time, I got wind of a Walk for Childhood cancer Awareness that would actually take place in September of 2009. It was nowhere near where I live, but I was determined to take part in it because I've become a staunch and very vocal advocate for the kids in this fight called 'cancer.' I'd already become a part of an amazing group of people by joining the PAC2 @ http://curechildhoodcancer.ning.com and through this group had made some super friends!!

I had to do some serious soul searching because it would require several things of me which I'd never before done!! I put in for my vacation time in February for the trip in September and then while waiting, I prayed on it. I had to hold out to find out if my days off would be granted and if I would even be able to catch a flight back east to Pennsylvania. I needed to let my contact person know by no later than August 21st as to whether or not I could be there and if so, when. Finally, August 20th rolled around, I got my work schedule for September, found out my vacation days were granted then began the process of flight plans!! Mind you, I'd never flown before so this was the beginning of a whole new era for me!!

It took me 2 days of almost nonstop attempts to finally get my flight plan set up, window seats there and back, two stops before reaching my final destination along the way to get from Spokane WA to Scranton PA (Seattle and Newark NJ) both ways, stay for 3 nights, then back home I'd go. The very first flight of my life EVER was on 9-11-09; scary to some, but I was flying with Angels and never had a doubt I'd be safe! I had to work on September 10th, so I'd set a wild and wacky plan in motion beforehand. Since I work swing shift (2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.) and my flight out was to be at 5:00 a.m. on the 11th; my intent was to stay awake from the morning of the 10th until I arrived at the hotel in Scranton PA!! Yes, I know you're wondering...I DID and I wouldn't change that for the world!

Flying is absolutely awesome, window seats are definitely the way to go!! I'm a firm believer there are also some people that should never end up in a job that requires contact with the public - I won't go into detail, but thanks to God and some mighty powerful Angels, things worked out very well!! Once back east in PA, I met friends who became family and when the following Monday arrived, I didn't want to come home!! I was escorted safely home, as I truly flew with the Angels. Crazy, you say? I disagree, take a look! Angels and rainbows, God's awe-inspiring touch (photo taken midflight between Newark NJ and Seattle WA)!!


I will be attending the same walk again this year - Aimee Dickey's Walk for Childhood cancer Awareness. I miss the family I made there, I love them dearly and I look forward to seeing them all again!! 217 sleeps until Aimee's Walk Day 2010!!

A CURE For A thief

Oh the day, it makes no sense
As we all try to recompense
The day was hard and oh so trying
Hearts need lifted, spirits crying

Damning diagnosis heard
'cancer' - the unspoken word
Violent screaming, sick inside
We cannot run, we cannot hide

A life so precious, full of joy
Don't touch this loving little boy
A crooked smile, an errant curl
Don't take this lovely little girl

A stabbing pain, a heartfelt ache
It must be a complete mistake
It cannot be this child of mine
Only yesterday, he was just fine

But yesterday has come and gone
The music changed as did the song
Into our life, like a thief, it crept
While we cuddled up and slept

It crawled inside, this cancer cell
Attempted to turn our life to hell
It can't succeed, it will not win
No way to stop the beauty within

We do not choose to ride this train
Courage and strength we surely gain
Superhero powers now unite
Brave to face this crazy fight

Every cancer diagnosis, each day marked
46 new journeys on which embarked
While 7 new Angels are fitted for wings
The families all cry but life still sings

Beautiful shell gone, yet soul right near
Leaving signs for us to see, to hear
Their legacy continues with each new dawn
Because each new Angel forever lives on

The friends we make, for whom we pray
Become our family along the way
The ties, the bond, ne'er to be broken
A teary-eyed hug, an 'I love you!' spoken

Children fight with all their power
As they smile through every hour
Endless tests and pokes and scans
Meeting all the great demands

They play and run, they do their best
Only stopping for a minute's rest
What we can see and say for sure
These miracles ALL need a cure!!!

Carla Hood
October 19, 2009
8:37 p.m.
© October 20, 2009

46 Mommas Shave For The Brave

Every school day in the U.S., 46 kids are diagnosed with cancer. Back in 1968, at the tender age of 8 1/2 months, I was one of them. This baby photo was taken about 3 1/2 months post diagnosis of Stage IV High Risk Neuroblastoma - which resulted surgery for the removal of my right kidney and a 2 1/2 pound tumor the size of a big man's fist then chemotherapy which consisted of 250 shots in the tops of both my hands to dissolve what remained of the cancer on my left kidney and the outer lining of my stomach. I may not have held a complete understanding of what was going on; but it still had a very profound impact on me and I doubt I would be the person I am today had it not been for having been set on this journey. I've become part of an amazing 'family' because of the journey we've all been set upon. We do not like what brought us together, but we certainly won't give up this amazing family either!! I love every one of you!!!!

This year, we’re going to take action and promote change for some very brave, courageous, strong, young Warriors on the battlefield called cancer! The plan is, there will be 46 of us banding together in solidarity with the brave Childhood cancer Warriors and we’ll be winning the battle!!!

We aim to bring Awareness to the public at large because far too many people are still of the notion that speaking about Childhood cancer is taboo! Let’s be honest, NONE of these kids asked to have cancer, yet those who do end up with it face it with bravery, courage, faith and a brutal honesty that you won’t find in many adults. Our hair may be attached to us, but we aren’t as attached to it. If it takes losing our hair to bring about an Awareness that reaches the masses of people, then that’s exactly what we need to do; because frankly, having 7 children a day die from cancer is losing 7 too many each day!!

Again, I tell you - 46 Children are diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. every school day! Never think NOT my family, NOT my child. Childhood cancer crosses all boundaries - it occurs regularly, randomly and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic class or geographic region. Now, with that said: sadly, it could be YOUR CHILD! I pray it NEVER is!!!

This updated photo was taken within the last few days. In September, I'll be losing my hair by choice rather than by chemotherapy or parental decision causing it; but here's the kicker: ever since my time of dealing with Childhood cancer, my hair has only been short one time. I said short, not gone; and that was certainly not by choice!!


(Please take a moment to check out my page on St. Baldrick’s, the website is: http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mypage/participantid/362847)