On March 9, I will be going bald once again.
In 2011, I was raising funds in honor of two children last year, Eli Dilts and Michael “Ironman Mike” Wanser. This year I am once again honoring Eli, but I will be raising funds in memory of Ironman Mike.
Ironman Mike was the son of my friends (and two of the most courageous people, I know) Barry and Laurie. They lost Ironman Mike in October after battling leukemia for 11 months….He was only 6 years old… From my friend Megan:
Dear Cancer:
It's not enough that you invade people who have knowingly made choices that bring you on? Not enough that you attack those who are able to understand their treatment options and handle the battery of toxic chemicals used to destroy you? Why, I beg of you, WHY must you assault the tiny bodies of children, who shouldn't know your name, let alone be carrying your battle scars?
Iron Man Mike put up one hell of a fight, but in the end his Leukemia was so aggressive that even 2 rounds of chemo and one bone marrow transplant was not enough to stop it.
The impact of the funds we are raising is very direct. Michael’s final stage of treatment was at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis. St. Jude’s is a research hospital and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation funds ongoing research studies there. Ironman Mike’s Leukemia samples are in the hands of St. Jude’s researchers as I type, and I share his parents’ hope that they may help in finding a break through to a cure to save another family from the horrible ordeal they just went through with Mike.
But without funding, it’s not going to happen. St. Baldrick’s is the number one funder of childhood cancer research after the federal government. And we all know the current financial condition of the federal government, so needless to say their funding for research is on the decline. But only 4% of federal cancer research funding goes toward childhood cancer research and recent information from the National Institute of Health indicates childhood cancer funding is at its lowest point in history with only 18% of approved research projects receiving funding. And this is while childhood cancer kills more kids each year than any other disease.
And from a local perspective, since 2005 (and committed through 2013), Riley Children’s Hospital has been the recipient of 7 research grants from St. Baldrick’s.
AND NOW, SOME GREAT AND UPLIFTING NEWS!
My cousin, Eli Dilts gave cancer two gigantic middle fingers last year and he BEAT IT! While he still has a long road to a full recovery, I want to share this quote from Eli’s mom’s Facebook page from February 14:
One year ago today I was at Riley with Eli as he recovered from meningitis, after radiation but before chemo started. He couldn't talk or eat or walk. Today, I went to art class with him at school and received a handwritten Valentine Card that he made himself and heard the sweetest words "Happy Valentine's Day Mommy". What a difference a year makes!
Eli’s parents are nearly as awe-inspiring as Eli himself! Today, Eli is doing many of the things that an 8 year old boy should be doing…like annoying his teenage sister, and older brother, and his parents! I firmly believe that Eli’s prognosis today is evidence that new treatments are working and lives are being saved. Our St. Baldrick’s team is Team Dilts in honor of Eli.
Once again, Art (my brother) is shaving his head and raising funds and we have challenged each other again to see who can raise more money…I won the friendly contest last year…but St. Baldrick’s was the real winner! We are truly honored by your support!
