I think wishes can come true…

Last week when we went to clinic for Sam to receive his chemo, he was presented with a backpack full of goodies.  This backpack was given to him by an organization known as ‘Bags of Fun’-a foundation started by a little girl named Gabby from Colorado.  Gabby was a six year old girl battling brain cancer who wanted to bring a little smile and sunshine to each child going through chemotherapy.  Soon Bags of Fun was brought to Indiana by a little girl named Tatum, a courageous little girl battling a rare bone cancer who received her own backpack while going through her first round of chemo.  It was Tatum’s dream that every boy and girl battling this awful disease have their very own bag to help them get through the long days and ups and downs of treatment.

The look on Sam’s face as he unzipped the backpack and went through it, pulling out each and every item, one at a time, was priceless.  Each time he reached in the backpack he pulled out an amazing surprise and a smile.  And guess what was tucked down at the very bottom of the bag-  A brand new Nintendo DS hand held game system and a Star Wars Legos game to go with it!  Wow!  Apparently, Tatum, and Bags of Fun know all about the power of the DS and it’s ability to calm nerves, take minds off of felling sick and holding vomit at bay!  And since Sam already had a DS, he graciously donated his new DS back to ‘Bags of Fun’ for another boy or girl to have.  He, of course, kept the Star Wars game!  :)

These are just some of the items that Sam received in his ‘Bag of Fun.’  The generosity of this group is incredible and makes us smile!

If you’d like to read more about ‘Bags of Fun’ or even make a donation, you can learn more about it by following the link below.

http://www.bagsoffun.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=64

Another wonderful organization is the  Make a Wish Foundation.  Recently, one of our new friends we have met on this journey, eleven year old John, was granted a wish.  John, who is also battling brain cancer, was bummed that his family’s scheduled summer vacation to Disney World  had to be put on hold due to his treatment schedule.  His doctor told him he was eligible for a wish and within a short time, Make a Wish had booked his family a six day stay at the happiest place on earth.  They plan on taking this trip during John’s break in treatment in August, right before school starts.  How wonderful to be able to spend some family time together away from the sights, smells and sounds of  a hospital.

Sam, of course, thought this was really neat and started asking all about Make A Wish.  I tried to explain to him that it was a group that grant wishes to children who are sick…some wish for a trip to Disney, some wish to go on a cruise, some wish for a castle to be built in their bedroom and some even wish for a hot tub!  Whatever their wish, this group tries to make it happen.  I then asked Sam, “If you could have a wish, what would you wish for?”  He thought about it a minute, after hearing all of the amazing possibilities that other children had wished and received and then replied….”I would wish not to be sick anymore.”  Out of everything he could wish for, this was his wish.  Not a new bike, not a fancy trip …  just to be well.  And I think it’s safe to say that we all hope and pray that he gets his wish.

Love to you all,

Erica