It is true that this world is full of suffering, disease and pain – but mingled in the midst of the darkness are points of light which shine very brightly. Kristen is one of these lights. In order to raise money for children with cancer, Kristen will be shaving her head on March 20, 2010. In this  ‘Appearance is Everything’ culture where women spend *billions* on beauty products, this courageous lady will  shear her locks to help raise money to save a child. Read her story and then make a donation – even $1 will help fund the research to save the lives of thousands of little ones who are battling this deadly disease. ~Dee

In Kristen’s own words…

I can’t imagine watching one of my four children dying. Even worse, I can’t imagine watching them suffer before they passed away.  I can’t fathom watching one of my sons or daughters lying in a bed…unable to move…spitting up blood and screaming in pain.  I don’t think any parent can .

But it happens….every day.  Maybe to your neighbor or the girl you stood behind in the checkout line this morning.  Perhaps that guy you’re driving behind who can’t seem to stay at one speed is grieving the loss of his son.  Cancer kills people…and it doesn’t care who or how old they are.

My name is Kristen and I’m relatively new on the blogging “scene” but I love it.  It’s a way to connect with other people…for me…other moms in particular.  I enjoy being able to talk with people about the trials and triumphs about parenting.  I joined a group a few months ago and became a Spirit Jumper.  Shortly after I joined I was “introduced” to a little girl named Samantha Hartsfield.

She was suffering at the hands of a disease called Osteosarcoma and there was nothing anyone could do about it.  The more I read about “Sammie” the more I wanted to help her…and kids everywhere just like her.  I also wanted to help their families.  Children should bury their parents, not parents burying their children.

Can you imagine going through this

“Our 9 year old daughter Sammie was diagnosed on November 24, 2006 with Osteosarcoma in her femur. After many tests and a lung biopsy the doctors have confirmed that it has also spread to her lungs.
Sammie’s treatment finished in September of 2007-
Jan 30. 2008- biopsy shows not sign of cancer or infection!! Thank you GOD!
Feb 11th 08 – No Evidence of Disease in lungs!!!
March 5th 08- MRI shows the S1 of the tailbone is crumbling. Another biopsy is needed to rule out a relapse..
March 13th 08- confirmed relapse in the tailbone will start chemo March 23rd..
March 20th 08- 2 tumors in her left lung to beat as well….
May 08- Tumor removed from S1- not sure they got it all.
May 08- Chemo resumes
Sept 2, 08 – thorocotomy – 1/4 of left lobe resected also found two more tumors not seen on the scan. All tumors were still alive. Three rounds of chemo left.
Oct 31st 08- Last round of IFOS/ETOP completed.. Scans Nov 18th 08
Nov 18th 2008- All scans are clear
Jan 13th 2009- tumors in both lungs and tumor in sacrum the S1- will begin radiation
March 09 – one round of chemo proved to be too much.. no more treatments”

only to have your child die on October 9, 2009?  To be quite honest I breathed a sigh of relief and was very thankful when she did pass away.  She had been suffering…and because of that her family had suffered as well.  No one wants to see a child go through that.

St. Baldrick’s and How They Are Helping

Sometime between beginning to follow Sammie’s journey (and praying) and the time of her death I found a nonprofit organization called St. Baldrick’s.  St. Baldrick’s is

“The world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. Thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family. “

and I couldn’t be more proud to be a “Shavee”. On March 20, 2010 I will be shaving my head.  Until that time though, I’m trying to raise money.  For cancer research, for a cure…for Sammie…and families like hers everywhere.  I wish that I had been able to do something sooner.  I wish that I could do something for families everywhere affected by cancer.

Cancer Touches Us All

I watched (and took care of) my mother-in-law after she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer.  By the time the disease had ravaged her body she had cancer in her lungs, kidney, throat, bones…and it spread to her brain.  I remember watching her body go into seizures over and over…and watch the woman I loved slowly fade away.

Her face gradually lost all expression after so many seizures…and the left side drooped.  I remember feeling like it was my duty to take care of the woman who had loved me like her own…and the guilt when Hospice came in at the very end.  I remember having to make phone calls.  I remember trying to comfort my husband…knowing there was nothing I could do.

I look at my children.  I have a 10 year old son, a 6 year old daughter, a 3 year old son, and a 6 month old daughter.  I don’t know that I would be strong enough to watch them suffer through what my mother-in-law endured.  I pray every day that I never have to go through that.

How Can We Think It Can’t Happen to Us?

We all think it won’t happen to us.  The truth is that it could.  Will it have to wait until it happens to you or someone you love…or will you make a move now?  Please help support research.  You can find my donation site right here.

You can also follow me along my journey and see the pictures when I actually do shave my head here.  I’m willing to answer any questions I can…and if I can’t I’ll try to find an answer.  I hope to hear from you soon. ~Kristen

Live Life Solid Pitches In to Help Kristen’s Cause

LiveLifeSolid.com has teamed up with Kristen over at Hands, House & Heart Full to help raise funds for cancer research for children battling cancer.

Kristen will be shaving her head March 20, 2010 in support of children with cancer who have no choice BUT to lose their hair.

LiveLifeSolid.com has donated their Solid Message Bracelet to be raffled off to raise money for St. Baldrick’s Charity Foundation.

For as little as $1, you can be entered to win and feel great about helping a wonderful organization that helps kids with cancer. Take 5 and head over and check it out. Donate if you’d like. Spread the word if you choose.

---

Free Health Ebook For You...

Natural Help for Acute Bronchitis

    Simply Right Click and choose Save As to save to your desktop!  More FREE Natural Health, Wellness and Pet Ebooks at Remedies4.com!

---

Shared Post

• Nabisco Cookies – Buy One Get One Coupon
• The Importance of Green Tea
• Cooking With Kids
• Chemotherapy and Radiation For Dummies
• The U.S. Postal Service and Modern Postcard Help Businesses Grow and Increase Sales in Northern California…
• Wonderful Business Diaries And Company Diaries
• Free Wordpress Links Exchange at Shareaddress.com

Twitter This!