The Story of How Cancer Has Affected Me

Today I want to share with you the story of how cancer has affected me along with a wonderful project.

I never knew either of my grandfathers.  They both died from cancer when I was 5 months old.  I can’t even imagine what my parents went through those first few months of my life.  Both of their parents were diagnosed with cancer, but there was nothing that could be done.  Cancer was essentially a death sentence for so many.  This reality hit a little closer to home last year when my father-in-law nearly died from heart failure and my father was diagnosed with lung cancer for the second time.  My son is very attached to his grandparents.  He wouldn’t know what to do without them nor would I.  It would be life altering to say the least.  I have known many people who have lost people to cancer.  My grandmother {my mom’s mom} was diagnosed with cancer and died just two weeks later.  There wasn’t even time for doing the tests for determining what type of cancer it was and how far it had spread.  One of my friend’s lost his dad to brain cancer.  I remember it being a drawn out and tough experience.  So many people’s lives have been touched by cancer.  But there is hope.

The American Cancer Society along with many other researchers and medical professionals have made great strides in cancer research.  Because of their efforts and donations by people like you and me, there are cancer survivors.  Every year, more and more people are surviving.  People like MaryAnne from Mama Smiles.  She is celebrating 30 years of cancer survivorship!  MaryAnne has organized a wonderful group of bloggers who focus on fun, creative, and education activities for kids.  Each of us has worked with our children or students to create a craft that could be made by or for someone facing cancer.

Our projects have been compiled into an ebook.  Anyone who donates at least $15 to the American Cancer society will receive the ebook.  There is also an option to purchase a hard copy of the book at production cost.  An email with the download link, as well as a second link that allows you to purchase a hard copy will be sent once your donation is received.  This button will take you directly to the American Cancer Society’s donation page:

If you donate but do not receive this email for any reason, or if you have trouble with the download, email smallhandsproject at gmail dot com.

 

Aiden and I made our part of the project especially for my dad.  He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2010.  He had half of his left lung removed.  On a follow up visit in the summer of 2011, they found cancer once again in his lung – the remaining portion of the left lung.  The doctors removed the rest of the lung and recommended chemotherapy this time.

There was still no sign of cancer in any other part of his body – they just wanted to take precautions.  He was supposed to undergo four treatments, but only made it through two because of the toll it was taking on his body.  His doctors decided it was best to not continue the treatments.  Even though he currently has no cancer and is doing well for having only one lung, we live with the possibility of the cancer returning.  We place our faith and trust in the Lord and know that in Him there is hope.

I love the way the sun shines on the butterfly.  To me, this symbolizes hope.

Through our ebook, we are wanting to raise $3,000 by July 4th.   It is our hope that thirty years of cancer survivorship will become the norm, not the exception!  Visit each of the following project contributors on their blogs on the dates below.  A few bloggers will be running celebratory giveaways, too!

14 May Mama Smiles

15 May Artsy Craftsy Mom and Rainbows Within Reach

16 May B. Inspired, Mama!

17 May Rainy Day Mum and Imagination Soup

18 May Inspiration Laboratories

19 May Experimenting Mom

20 May Outlaw Mom

21 May NurtureStore

22 May Living Montessori Now

23 May Mess for Less

24 May Having Fun at Home and CraftoArt

25 May Mama Mia’s Heart2Heart

26 May Angelique Felix and Sense of Wonder

27 May Sun Hats & Wellie Boots

28 May Duck Duck Octopus

29 May Smiling like Sunshine

30 May Mommy with Selective Memory

31 May One Perfect Day

1 June The Educators’ Spin On It

2 June Kids Stuff World

3 June Rainy Day Mum

4 June Teach Preschool

5 June Dirt and Boogers

6 June Creative Connections for Kids and The Golden Gleam

7 June Montessori Tidbits

8 June Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

9 June The Iowa Farmer’s Wife

10 June Scribble Doodle and Draw

11 June Learn with Play

12 June Kitchen Counter Chronicles

13 June CRAYON Freckles

14 June Glittering Muffins

15 June Wise Owl Factory

16 June Crafty Maa

18 June Lessons Learnt Journal

20 June Growing a Jeweled Rose

21 June Growing Play

23 June JDaniel4′s Mom

We would love for you to also post the button in your sidebar for the duration of the event, in order to get as much publicity for this event as possible.  Tweet about the event with the #hopeforcancer.   Share via Facebook, Google +, Pinterest, or however you prefer!

Thanks for your support!