The Beagley's... & our fight with cancer!: Grassroot Advocates

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Grassroot Advocates

A message from the American Childhood Cancer Organization:

"Children with cancer rely on us as their family, friends and community to be their voice. While they fight cancer in their bodies, we must be ready to fight this disease as their advocates. They cannot lobby. They cannot vote. They must use their collective strength to fight the cancer. We must use our collective strength to fight the "system." We must educate ourselves on legislation that can positively impact our children's treatment. We must be willing to take time to call our government representatives and let them know how this disease impacts our families.

We are the "grassroots voice" of this cause. We have a lot of work to do as we strive towards the day when all of our children will survive and lead a long and healthy life. Thanks to all of you who continue to join together with ACCO to strengthen our grassroots voice. We do this "because kids can't fight cancer alone."

Ruth I Hoffman MPH, Executive Director"

"The term "grassroots" refers to a group of people who have been impacted by a cause and who stand united behind a movement to make a difference in that cause. As families of children with cancer we are the grassroots voice of our nations' children with cancer. In order to strengthen our grassroots community we need to be informed about policies, legislation, decisions, and opportunities that impact our children's treatment and quality of life, and advocate for better treatments for those children who have yet to be diagnosed."

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Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is cancer of the sympathetic nervous system--a network of nerves that carries messages from the brain to all parts of the body. Primary neuroblastoma is a solid, malignant tumor that usually first appears as a mass in the abdomen (most often in the adrenal gland) or near the spine.

About 650 children are diagnosed with neuroblastoma each year in the United States. Two-thirds of children diagnosed with neuroblastom are 5 years old or younger.

(Educating The Child With Cancer: A Guide for Parents and Teachers, Second Edition, 2011, Edited by Ruth I Hoffman, MPH, page 5)

The Native American Legend of the Butterfly

As a gift to His human children, the Great Spirit created butterflies. He took black from the maiden's hair, yellow from the warm sun, and blues from the lake and sky. Once he gathered the most beautiful of colors, He made them into butterflies.

If you want a special wish to come true, whispher your heart's desire to a butterfly. Since butterflies make no sound, they cannot tell the wish to anyone but Him. Being so colorful, the butterflies will easily be seen as they fly to heaven. The wish will be taken by the wings of love to heaven to be granted.