More Action!

Today, Peyton had the opportunity to share her story with the Children’s Hospital Trustees and Board of Directors. And while we were at the hospital—I found myself looking at all the people:

The dad sitting on the curb as we drove in—wearing a hospital wristband and pajama pants, his head down between his legs…Was he praying? Weeping? Just trying to breathe?

The pretty teen in a wheelchair—a heart patterned blanket covering her legs.

The little boy with the face mask, saucer eyes scanning his surroundings.

The mom wandering aimlessly ‘round the lobby with tired red eyes and worn slippers.

I used to be that mom.

Though it has been almost six years since Peyton’s brain tumor, I remember the anxiety, the stress, and the fear like it was yesterday.

Each patient, each parent, has a story; their own personal bundle of worry and “what if.” My heart breaks for each of them. I can only pray they will have a favorable outcome like Peyton did. That they will have friends and family to love and support them, skillful doctors to care for them, and the grace of God to heal what only He can.

Tomorrow kicks off “Alice 36 Hours for Kids” radiothon—which is one of the biggest fund raisers for The Children’s Miracle Network in Colorado—which benefits our Children’s Hospital. And Peyton’s story will help “kick off” the event. As the Colorado “Champion” we’ve been told that Peyton represents the thousands of kids who are treated at Children’s each year.

And it is such an honor.

But I am also reminded that each of those thousands—hundreds of thousands—has a story all their own. It reminds me just HOW important The Children’s “Hopsital” is…because it is one of the best hospitals in the country… because it does not feel like a hospital…and because it gives kids their lives back…(and parents their kids back).

There are SO MANY good causes to support. My heart pulls to lots of things—but mostly, it pulls to 1) The Children’s Hospital and 2) finding a cure for brain tumors.
You undoubtedly have your own causes—the things that you believe in and would do anything for.

There are so many causes, so much need.

And there is so much we can do.

So—my encouragement is to DO SOMETHING—whatever your cause. Wherever you are at in life, we can all help. Give time. Give money. Answer phones. Send a care package. Pick up a hammer. Write a letter. ACT.

There is a world that needs us. People who need us. And we each have the power to make things better, to bring hope to others...To help someone’s story have a happy ending.


As a side note: In the current issue of “Scientific American” there is an article on brain cancer. The author says recent research suggests antidepressants may block neurotransmitters, keeping cancer stem cells from talking to each other—thus, preventing them from proliferating. It said test studies may happen quickly—as antidepressants are already FDA approved—but this may be a major breakthrough toward a cure for brain cancer. Isn’t that cool? Doesn’t that want you to support brain tumor research?