I am a Believer in CURE

Today I attended a luncheon for volunteers with CURE to learn how to get more involved. The group is called "Believers" and I personally think it is a great name. You have to truly believe in something for it to work and I really do believe in CURE. Today my faith in them was just reaffirmed and I was able to also be with my other two partners in crime: Anna Bozman, Lake's mom and Erika Depa, Melissa's mom. You might think I already know a lot about CURE but there is always more to learn. In the pictures I am posting you can see the sad childhood cancer facts that are absolutely true and that absolutely exist. I won't repeat them here but they are good to know and carry in your memory. When people ask you why we need a change you can know the facts.

What does CURE do exactly? And why should you give and help with fundraising? Here is why I believe you should:

3.2 million was raised by CURE last year and given toward trials and research. This is for childhood cancers that get little funding by the government.
25 projects are being funded as we speak.
A scientific advisory council works many hours behind the scenes to decided which projects will be funded by CURE.
Approx 8 hrs per proposal is spent deciding if it is a valid project. These projects are from hospitals all over the US. Many are at CHOA but also at Emory and Seattle and several others.
They focus on research that can have clinical application within 5 yrs. This is so important. Getting research to the bedside as quickly as possible is what is best for these children. They do not have years to wait for treatment options.
Of the $ that CURE raises about 55% goes to research and the other % goes to help families.

These are some of the ways CURE helps families:

Resource bags with supportive materials when they enter treatment.
Open arms meals at the hospital.
Counseling services.
Emergency services to help with bills etc.
Bereavement care.

CURE raised over 5 million dollars total last year!

Volunteers are always needed. You can go on the website, which by the way is new, and you can sign up easily. And I hope you will.

Ways to help:

1. Wear gold and spread awareness
2. Coins4CURE
3. Bow campaigns
4. Do your own fundraisers

Anna and I were taking today about how we volunteer and work hard with a smile on our face. We will make a hundred bows and cover ourselves in glitter as many times as it takes if it helps to make a difference-all the time knowing it won't ever bring our babies back. When we stop and think about that it can be really sad and depressing. We could easily give up. And sometimes we feel like we want to. It can be frustrating. Did anyone fight this hard for us? All this work is not going to do our child any good, it is too late for them. But when we think of our friend's children still fighting and the children yet to be diagnosed we have to do what we can to help. Children can't fight from a hospital bed and their parent's can't fight when they are busy just keeping their child alive. It is our job and we have done a poor job up until now...that is beyond obvious. It is also beyond obvious that no one has cared enough before now or more would have been done for these kids and we would have come further with childhood cancer treatment options. Your child might be next. Don't be naive to think this is not a fact. So I will be here to continue bugging my fiends and neighbors for money, lobbying for more research and making a fool of myself-whatever it takes...until my last breath. And I know two other ladies who will be making fools of themselves right beside me. 😉
United for a CURE