Quick Way to Help Families with Cancer

Two days after my niece Amelia's second birthday, on December 21st, 2005, my sister-in-law and brother noticed some bruising on her body. They showed the bruises to a nurse friend and she advised them to head to the emergency room. That night changed their lives forever. Amelia was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and immediately began chemo treatments.

One of the real blessings in their life, in the time since Amelia's diagnosis, has been their involvement in, and benefit from, an organization called "Families of Children with Cancer" - FOCWC. On their web-site, they explain their vision:

"We are a non-profit support organization open to families of Northeastern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula who have or who have had children with cancer, adult survivors of childhood cancer, and individuals who wish to assist such families with their professional and/or personal assistance. No salaries are paid, and all money raised directly benefits area families of children with cancer. Childhood Cancer is difficult both for the child and the family. We offer a wide range of support and activities for families dealing with this difficult situation."

Indeed, Amelia and her siblings have had great fun at the FOCWC events they have attended. They get a chance to meet sports celebrities, ride in helicopters and motorcycles and have fun as a family despite the circumstances that bring them all together.

This organization is offering a quick way to help them raise money in their efforts to meet the needs of families of children with cancer. All you have to do is click on this link and watch a brief video. For every click, Allen Hunt and the Nicolet National Bank will provide a donation. You can help just by watching a video!









Amelia has completed her treatments and is in remission. She is a beautiful little girl, full of life. Sadly, though, she knows that cancer often wins the battle (as evidenced in the photo of Amelia beside the grave of her little friend Mariah).

I don't know if a family that has been touched by cancer ever gets over the fear that accompanies the diagnosis. I know this has been true for my brother's family. I also know it has been true for another cancer family I have followed, that of little Coleman Larson's family.

Coleman was diagnosed with neuroblastoma and passed away in January of 2009. They have recently felt the further fears of cancer, when Coleman's mother, Peggy, was diagnosed with a tumor. Praise be to God the tumor was removed and the threat defused.

How important it is for us to lift and carry friends whose lives have been affected by cancer. We can give encouragement and help to share smiles. Won't you take a moment and watch a video??