CCA Blog

Ok, I am over 45 and still getting use to this Facebook thing, but must admit that I am astounded at how powerful it has been for the Children's Cancer Association. We started our Facebook page less than a year ago and today we have over 4,000 fans! Every day we have the opportunity to share stories that our donors make possible in the lives of children with serious illnesses and their family members, give updates on our programs and share information about upcoming events. We are grateful for the input we receive from our Facebook family and the support they provide by sharing our message with their friends and advocating for our cause.

But I am most humbled by the many posts we receive from people who share their personal stories. From the parents looking for a community of support after finding out their child has been diagnosed with cancer to a kiddo saying "you are wonderful!" to her Chemo Pal, we are inspired by these amazing people every day.

I encourage you to join our Facebook family and get ready to be inspired! To join, visit www.JoyRx.org and click the Facebook button on the front page. You can also find us at www.Facebook.com by searching under "Children's Cancer Association."

Thanks for reading,

Dave Schaeffer, CCA's VP of Development

Last night we celebrated the joy of the holiday season with over 60 friends of CCA who attended our Holiday Open House. We are so grateful for the toys that many of you brought and placed under our Christmas Tree and Menorah. 

It was such a joy connecting with our friends and meeting new friends with the smell of hot apple cider wafting in the air and the beautiful sound of piano music. 

I had the pleasure of meeting a family whose story touched my heart. They have been annual donors to CCA through the 105.1 the Buzz radiothon for several years. Last year their five year old son complained of a headache and before they knew it they were in going through treatments for meningitis. Their son was placed in a induced coma in an effort to reduce the pressure in his brain. Mom shared that when CCA’s harp music began to play they noticed that his blood pressure vitals were reduced to a level they had been unable to reach. She was delighted and amazed! Later in the week CCA’s staff came by to play guitar and sing with her son. She then learned it was CCA who had been providing the music, and shared her jaw dropped realizing that the organization she had been supporting for years was now providing her support. 

This personal story reminded me of the impact CCA makes every day and how fortunate we are to have the support of our community in all we do. Thank you for making CCA part of your family.

Happy Holidays!

Dave Schaeffer, CCA's Vice President of Development

At CCA we know that families going through a serious health event can be overwhelmed by medical terminology, treatment decisions and hospital visits. In times like these, when children and their families need more than medicine we are privileged to be there creating joy one moment at a time with our innovative programs and services. 

We are constantly looking for ways to enhance our programs and are excited to share a new partnership with Caring Bridge, a charitable nonprofit organization that offers free, private websites that connect family and friends to share information, love and support during a serious health event, care and recovery. Now children and family members served by CCA can use a Caring Bridge website to centralize communication during all types of serious health events, easing the burden of updating family and friends.

The websites can be an important tool for those served by CCA to reduce isolation and stress in a difficult time, giving them an appropriate outlet for sharing their feelings and receiving support. Rather than individually contacting each member of their support system, a CaringBridge site allows patients and their families to update everyone concerned with just one journal entry.

We are so pleased to partner with CaringBridge and continue our cloak of support for the children and families we serve.

Happy Thanksgiving!

David Schaeffer, CCA’s VP of Development

Last week I had a chance to spend time with ten-year-old Lilli and her family in our office parking lot.  Lilli, who is undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, is being served by CCA’s programs and agreed to be interviewed for a KPTV spot promoting our Mini Cooper Raffle. 

While sitting in the car, Lilli was playing with all the gadgets and answering the reporter’s questions with her effervescent smile and tremendous poise, I chatted with her parents.   They shared that before the diagnosis of their daughter’s tumor they did not know about CCA and its programs.  I was grateful to hear how our Chemo Pal and LifeSupport programs were helping them navigate through this challenging time for their entire family. 

As I reflect on my time and conversation with Lilli’s parents, I am reminded of how powerful a volunteer with a bag of toys or the simple experience to play a guitar can be for the children and their families we serve. 

As we chatted, Lilli was having great fun with this new experience and enjoying the moment to shine.   I would love to introduce you to Lilli in her debut interview with KPTV Fox News - check it out: 

http://www.kptv.com/video/20120186/index.html

It is a privilege to be a part of the CCA family of volunteers, staff, families and friends.  Thank you for the opportunity to experience the joy of our mission every day.

Warmly,

David Schaeffer, CCA’s VP of Development

While sitting in my office last week I heard music that was not the familiar music we hear every day.  When I entered the hallway to check out what I was listening to, I discovered 13 year old Lauren and her father standing by our office stereo equipment.  Lauren was beaming with a huge smile on her face and was pointing at the speaker, mouthing “I wrote this song”.  

I stood there soaking in the wonderful lyrics, music, excitement and joy from Lauren and her father as they sang along.  Lauren is in remission from cancer, and has recently begun participating in CCA’s newly created Music Rx song writing project.  This project pairs seriously ill teens with local talented musicians/songwriters to make hip music together.  Lauren had just received a rough cut of the song she co-wrote with local songwriter, Lisa Forkish, and rushed down to the CCA office to share it with us.  In August we will be recording a professional-quality version of her song!

We all gathered around Lauren and her father after the song, celebrating her debut with laughs and hugs.  I remember one lyric from her song which still plays in my head - “live in the now, don’t worry about the future”.  What a wonderful reminder for me, and testament to our mission.  

I am extremely grateful for the support we receive from our local community to ensure that moments of joy like this occur every day in the lives of seriously ill children and teens like Lauren through CCA’s programs and services.

Through my work at CCA, I will always remember to live in the now, not worry about the future and to SING OUT!

 Warmly,

 Dave Schaeffer, CCA's Vice President of Development