Childhood Cancer Awareness Day

Alex and I have been fairly regular attendants to the Tuesday morning library story hour since the kids went back to school, and this weeks story hour centered around books about kids going to the doctor. After listening to all the stories, the children made cards for Children's Mercy Hospital.



At Tuesday's story hour, we learned that September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and that earlier this year, Saturday, September 13th was set aside as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. We also learned about a local mother, who's son is celebrating his first year of being cancer free this September, who was organizing a benefit train ride for the 13th where 100% of the money collected would go to Children's Mercy Hospital Hematology/Oncology Department, where he received much of his treatment.

Children's Mercy is a special place to us, we have a sweet little friend McKensie who is fighting very, very hard to beat the cancer that is raging in her very tiny little body. And I really wanted to make it to this event in support of her and her family. Thanks to four days of rain, all soccer games were canceled, as was the fireworks show GR was scheduled to help set up and shoot that evening, so the entire family was free to go and support this event.



The train ride was scheduled to leave the station at 6pm, so we opted for an early dinner at a pizza place near the station, the kids enjoyed being able to sit at the window, and we loved the pizza, but we will never go back to for dine-in again. GR and I have never eatten at a dirtier restraunt in our lives. I was actually thankful Alex spilled his full cup of water all over the counter and floor, it gave me an opportunity to scrub it without causing a scene.

The kids had a great time riding the train. And the weather cleared up that afternoon so things weren't quite as soggy as expected.





McKensie's older brothers came with their Grandma and were able to get seats in our train car. The four boys are great friends, and spent most of the first half of the ride like this, laughing and giggling watching the world go past them through the windows.



The train ride lasted about an hour with a brief stop at the midway point where a short program was held. As part of the program, the names of area children who had won the fight against their cancer, were currently fighting, and who had fought and are now angles, were read and then 150 gold balloons were released into the twilight sky. It was beautiful and touching experience. I had such a lump in my throat hearing McKensie's name and watching my children each release a balloon for her and all the other children (and may I add adults) battling this scary and devastating 'thing' that has invaded too many of our lives, and continually hits too close to home.