Emily's Kids Foundation

Emily's Kids Foundation's mission is to provide "charitable contributions to directly benefit families with children who have cancer."

"to directly benefit families" ... this says it all. During the cancer fight, the family can fall apart - emotionally, financially, and physically. Emily's Kids foundation aims to alleviate some of that financial burden which, in turn, alleviates some of the emotional toll of the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

Emily was "on the floor" when Lindsay was. I will never forget the night she became an Angel. I can't write about it here -- in part because it isn't my story to tell and in part, because it is simply too hard. What I will share is that her mother reached out to me at a time when Lindsay's diagnosis was SO new and SO painful. I am not at all surprised that Emily's parents are continuing to reach out.

Even though you may have never heard of Emily's Kids, this is exactly the type of organization that makes the biggest difference. Please consider them for your office's Secret Santa charity!

Braggers Welcome!

I'm looking for braggers. Two types, in fact!

First, if you are recruiting participants - offices, friends, or family - please let me know! I want to brag on you and keep a running tally of our success!

If you have an office or business that you'd like to recruit, give me the contact information and I'll send an email or a letter about our cause with a link to our blog.

Second, if you are the parent or guardian of a survivor or Angel, I would love to feature a child each day. Send me an email (gbtempleton@gmail.com) and I will email you back a series of questions. I'll also ask for a photo.

Todays "where to give" (aka Best of the Best) is coming up soon!

Thanks!

The Best of the Best

If you scroll below the picture of Lindsay on the left, you'll see the beginnings of a list. The Best of the Best is where we'll link to groups that help families facing childhood cancer.

My goal is to highlight groups that fund pediatric cancer research as well groups that provide support to families during and after treatment. Hopefully there will be some groups that you've never heard of. I felt that these smaller, volunteer driven groups were the ones who were the most helpful during Lindsay's treatment. There will also be some bigger groups, as I'm guessing corporations would prefer to donate their dollars to organizations with a reputation. Please know that there are groups with BIG reputations and yet seem to do very little for pediatric cancer (in terms of dollars to research and in actual support to families). If a group is "missing" from the list, there is probably a reason. That said, feel free to email me ideas of groups that I should highlight. I'm sure there are many good ones that I've never heard of!

The first organization I'm featuring is St. Baldrick's. If you know a kid with cancer, you have probably heard of St. Baldrick's. The St. Baldrick's foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancer and give survivors long and health lives. St. Baldrick's provides more money for pediatric cancer research than any other organization except the federal government.

More importantly, read the list of grants they have funded! I am impressed by their focus on both rare and more common cancers as well as the late effects of cancer (organ failure, secondary cancers, etc). As a parent of a survivor we live in fear of both relapse, secondary cancer (resulting from treatment), and late effects of cancer. St. Baldrick's is committed to the kids during treatment AND after!

Braggers Welcome

I'm looking for braggers. Two types, in fact!

First, if you are recruiting participants - offices, friends, or family - please let me know! I want to brag on you and keep a running tally of our success!

If you have an office or business that you'd like to recruit, give me the contact information and I'll send an email or a letter about our cause with a link to our blog.

Second, if you are the parent or guardian of a survivor or Angel, I would love to feature a child each day. Send me an email (gbtempleton@gmail.com) and I will email you back a series of questions. I'll also ask for a photo.

Todays "where to give" (aka Best of the Best) is coming up soon!

Thanks!

A Simple Suggestion for the Shy

Those of you who followed Lindsay's battle with AML may remember her favorite phrase in the hospital. "I SHY!" If you're feeling too shy to recruit your entire office to the cause, today's post is for you.

Maybe recruiting family will feel less daunting than reaching out at work.

Do you stress over picking a gift for the sister who has everything. Do you dread opening the gift from the in-law who thinks fish-net stockings are "just your style"?

The year before Lindsay was diagnosed, Matt and I asked his family if, instead of gifts, we could each give a donation to a favorite charity. Matt and I randomly chose St. Jude's. I suppose there is a bit of irony in this, but it is a donation I will never forget.

The whole family can donate to one charity, or you can each give to your favorite organization. To make it even more special, ask each family member to write a few words about why their organization is important to them. Read them before Christmas dinner, then take a moment of silence to remember the Angels and to honor the kids who are still fighting!

Thanks for participating! Don't forget to become a follower for daily updates and encouragement. Also, later today I'll start featuring organizations who truly make a difference!

Sally in Accounting Doesn't Want Another Snuggie

Every year, adults in suits and ties draw names out of a hat and play Santa's Elves or Christmas Angel or Secret Santa. They limit themselves to $10, $20, $30. And then they try to figure out what in the world Sally from accounting would want that costs only $10.

Sally from accounting doesn't want another purple, plaid scarf. She doesn't require a fifth pair of fuzzy red and green socks. She doesn't need a Starbucks gift card.

This Christmas, as your office kicks off it's Secret Santa season, why not make a difference for families fighting childhood cancer?

This blog is going to give YOU ways to participate. Suggestions that will turn a sweet (but often wasteful) holiday office tradition into a meaningful way to raise money and awareness for those who really need it.

Each day I will give ways to participate (even for those who don't work in a Secret Santa type of office) and I will give suggestions on where your money or gifts should go!

Today's idea is simple. Suggest this to your office. Start with your boss, the person in charge of drawing names, or just a few co-workers who might be up for it. Once you have a coalition, take it office wide. You'll be shocked how many people would rather spend $25 for kids with cancer than on a Snuggie for Jim in Sales!

Also, become a "follower" of this blog so you remember to participate!