Budget Cuts

I am taking time away from my usual non-important blogging to discuss something very important to me and our family.
We’ve all been impacted by budget cuts in some way whether in the work place, school district or federal level. Another area that is facing budget cuts is pediatric cancer research. The Children’s Oncology Group which is largely funded by CureSearch is facing an almost 10% decrease in government funding. How can children be saved from this horrible disease called cancer if there is no funding for research? The National Institutes of Health recently announced “ that while the survival rate for children's cancer has steadily increased in recent years, the number of children being diagnosed has continued to increase, too. As we search for a cure, we must also understand why the number of children with cancer is on the rise and what can be done to reverse this trend.”

It’s easy to read this and think “blah blah blah” or to think it’s sad that we lost Jenna and I have to write about this subject. It’s easy to think about it…but action is what is needed. Research and a cure is needed—so others won’t have to experience what we have as a family. Curesearch needs private funding to help make up for the loss of government funding. Any amount is helpful. $5, $10—whatever you can give. It all adds up. Why not skip that Starbucks coffee for a week and donate the money to CureSearch?

Fort Mill Middle School is stepping up to help raise awareness, raise funds, and remember our sweet Jenna. They are participating in an effort called Kick It. Kick-It is a national fundraising program that raises money for children's cancer research. It all started with a 10-year old cancer patient with a big dream; to cure cancer by playing kickball. The concept has spread across the country and thousands of people have been inspired to raise money for childhood cancer research. It is part of CureSearch.

Here’s the link to the school’s site. Please donate if you can. Funds for cancer research are desperately needed. And if you’d like to support Morgan’s efforts, she is in Mr. Bonebrake’s homeroom. (they are competing by homeroom)
http://www.kick-it.org/events/kickin-it-with-8th-grade

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for considering a donation to a most worthy cause
Tricia