While Renee's computer is having "issues" she has asked me to blog for her as a guest blogger. My name is Kim Porter. My son Charlie had leukemia and was treated at Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital. That is where and when we met Renee and her special k's.
I know Renee already posted some statistics about Childhood Cancer, but I wanted to share with you another statistic. This statistic is personal. Charlie was diagnosed on January 3, 2006. Since that date, a mere 20 months ago, I personally know of 12 children that have lost their battle to this horrible disease. 12! That I personally know. Unfortunately, one of those 12 was my son Charlie. It makes me so angry! It makes me so sad. It makes me so...I just don't know anymore. All I know is that we HAVE to fight against childhood cancer.
Everywhere I turn these days I see pink ribbons. That is great. I understand that breast cancer needed awareness. The great thing about that is, they got it. Breast cancer gets tons of funding now. Everyone knows about it, everyone. I am so sad to think that the majority of the world does not realize that September is childhood cancer month. Most don't know that gold is the color of childhood cancer.
I know childhood cancer is a touchy subject. No one wants to look at it. Everyone wants to brush it under the carpet and pretend that it doesn't happen and if it does, it will never happen to them. Well, hopefully it won't, but I'm here to tell you it happens. It happens to good people. Childhood cancer is out there and it needs awareness, it needs funding, it needs a cure!
There are a lot of things we can do to raise childhood cancer. Wear gold ribbons, share a story with a friend and help us spread the word. On Monday, September 29 the restaurant Chili's will be donating 100% of their proceeds to St Jude hospital. What a small way for all of you to make a contribution to helping fight childhood cancer. No, Charlie wasn't treated at St Jude and neither was Kennedy, but no one can deny the great things that St Jude has done to help find a cure.
Thanks for listening and please help me spread awareness,
Kim
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
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9 comments:
Kim, I've heard and read so much about you and your beautiful angel Charlie. Thank you for sharing part of your story here and I truly believe that once you've been touched by an angel with cancer you'll never spend a day not hoping and doing everything you can for a cure.
Thanks for this. I did not know that Sept. was childhood cancer month and I did not know that the awareness ribbon is gold. Now I do and I will share it with others.
Kim: I am so sorry about your loss of Charlie. No parent should ever have to watch their child sick like that. I have had cancer myself, but my imagination works and to have children suffer isn't fair. Know I join you in the fight to make people more aware of this beast! Praying for you and thanks for posting for Renee.
Kim,
There are no "right" words to convey the deep sorrow and literal pain I felt as you shared the loss of your son in this post. I'm a newcomer to Renee's blog so I was unaware. I'll do my part is spreading the word.
On a personal note, my infant son has Down syndrome and my husband and I are dreading the leukemia test.
God bless
I met Charlie. He was running the Halls dragging his IV pole behind him. So cute. I came up to visit Kenn when she was first admitted to Vandy. I'm so sorry for you lose. And I'll be dining at Chilis on Sept 29th.. in Charlie's honor. {{{{HUGS}}}}
Amy
I am new to this blog. I am so sorry to hear about your angel. I did not know about September but will spread the word. I will also spread the word about Chilis. Thank you for your post.
Thank you for your post, and I am very very sorry for your loss.
Are all Chili's nationwide doing this, or is it simply local?
Thanks for asking Kim to write for you, Renee.
Kim, great post. It is great to hear your voice even when it is through a blog. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Jana Kelley
Kim; I am so sorry for your loss. My dd has been in remission for 14 years (stage IIIB hepatoblastoma) and there are times I wonder why her when so many others weren't so fortunate. I stopped counting after we lost our 15th fellow patient--eventually I just lost the emotional energy. Thanks for your post. You are so right about the proliferation of pink ribbons. I didn't even know a gold ribbon was for childhood cancer and we still do check-up on hem/onc every six months. Childhood cancer does need to come out of the closet.
~Lori
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