I'm shaving my head to raise money for childhood cancer research! Did you know that kids' cancers are different from adult cancers? It's true. And childhood cancer research is extremely underfunded. So I decided to do something about it by raising money for cures.
Now I need your help! Will you make a donation? Every dollar makes a difference for the thousands of infants, children, teens, and young adults fighting childhood cancers.
Adding a person touch to this great cause...this past month my good friend Spencer Nolen, fellow Virginia Tech Alumni and IAFF Brother, found out his middle son Morgan had a Stage 4 cancer. Here are Spencer's initial words letting us know of the news:
(Copied from Spencer's Facebook Page)
Spencer Nolen
3 hrs ·
Captain Keith Wilder from the Raleigh, NC Fire Department and president of their IAFF Local came to visit Morgan today. While he was visiting the physicians wanted to meet about the results of the pathology report. Capt. Wilder was kind enough to stay with Morg while Morg s grandfather and myself was in a hour long meeting. Morgan was diagnosed with ganglion neuroblastoma. It is a rare cancer, occurring in about 600 children a year in the United States. Morgan is in stage 4. There is the large mass, and it has been found in his left leg and right arm. The mass is fully enclosed in itself, and has not wrapped around individual vessels and invaded organs at this time. Treatment will be aggressive chemotherapy and if all goes well with a test in the am, a radiation type treatment. This will occur over a year. Its going to be a rough road. Your prayers have given Morgan some relief from pain, and a couple of good days. I had peace about me upon hearing all this information about what was happening to my boy. This was all because of your prayer. Engineer Rick "Round Meatballs, square box" Murrell once said, "GOD IS IN CONTROL" Us Nolens have turned it all over to him. Amen. I still am going to send out a thank you post soon. Bless all of you and what youre doing for my boy. I love every one of ya.
Here is some more writings from Mr. Spencer Nolen, father of Morgan who has Cancer:
Lt Rhett Fleitz, wanted to share some information with you per a previous post. This is Spencer E. Nolen, Sr. I am a volunteer fireman/rescue squadsman in Pittsylvania County (right outside of Danville). I am a career Captain for the City of Greensboro, NC Fire Department. For years, I have been a huge fan and follower of you and Captain Willie Wines Jr. adventures and philosophies. I have shared an avid interest in our fire service and rescue/ems history with you on occasion. With Captain Wines, I have talked to him about losing my own baby sister to suicide a few years ago. With both of you I have talked about the break up of my family in 2013. You guys always had good, very wise advice. It is no wonder that that you are so respected all over the United States. As posted, my middle son, Morgan Wayne Nolen, recently complained of some back and leg pain. After a couple of trips to the local doctors, he was referred to Duke Hospital where after a series of tests, my son was diagnosed Stage 4 Ganglion Neuroblastoma. He has a large tumor above his left kidney that is putting pressure on his thorax. The cancer has spread to the rear of his pelvis, his left femur, and his right arm. Morgan will receive an aggressive course of treatment over the entire year 2015. This will include chemotherapy,surgery, radiation, stem cell harvesting and replacement. I do not have alot of time to get on the computer, but I wanted to get this information out there for the brothers and sisters. I am asking for continued prayers for my son. Morgan and his brothers Buddy and Carson have been through a difficult time with family issues. We have witnessed the power of prayer as Morgan goes through this difficult process. A mailing address where he can be contacted is 713 Sandy Creek Road, Danville, Va. 24540. I have been blessed that there are some individuals who have led efforts to raise funds for Morgan's care. These people are GFD Capt. Jeff Chrismon, GFD Capt. Tim Gibbs, Twin Springs Elem Booster Club Amy Powell Moore, Deborah Scearce Gray, and PGFD Capt. Jim Key. They are individuals who handle this as I take care of my son. Morgan has been extremely blessed to have many,many people from his school, his community,church, surrounding volunteer fire departments and rescue squads, and fire departments from throughout the United States who have been there for him as he fights for his life. The IAFF Local 947 (President Dave Coker) and in Raleigh(President Keith Wilder ), as well as the Ignite the Spirit fund (President Jason Chamberlin)have also played a important role in providing help. In the near future I want to send you another post to give thanks to those who have gone above and beyond to help Morgan. THE BROTHERHOOD IS ALIVE AND WELL. Thank you for allowing me to share this information about Morgan. Stay Safe.
