At the age of 4 months, our grandson Matthias was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma. Over the next six months, he was treated with chemotherapy half a dozen times, but the tumors continued to return and grow. Finally, his parents were faced with the impossible decision to proceed with radiation treatments and hope the tumors would not return, or enucliation (the removal of both eyes).


Matthias is four years old and cancer free. He is also totally blind. He is one of the five ambassadors for St. Baldrick's this year and you can read more of his story elsewhere on the St. Baldrick's site.


As grandparents, we play a very special role when one of our beautiful grandchildren is diagnosed with this brutal disease. Not only do our hearts break for our grandchild, but it is our babies; our children who are the adults dealing directly with the doctors, chemotherapy, radiation, and making life threatening decisions no parent should have to make. Often, they look to us, their parents for guidance, support and strength. And, as much as we wish we could, the reality is we cannot simply give then a hug and tell them it will be OK, because it is not OK, and the reality is that it may never be OK.



That is why we are volunteers with the St. Baldrick's Foundation and why we ask that any grandparents who are aware of this organization take a moment and donate.



Your gift will give hope to infants, children, teens and young adults fighting childhood cancers. So when I ask for your support, I'm really asking you to support these kids. Click "Make a donation" to give online, or donate by phone or mail.



Finally, if you would like to become a volunteer, and assist us in getting the word to other grandparents, feel free to join our team and we can help make a difference in the fight against childhood cancer.



Thank you!