Spirit of the Holidays

More about me later... this story is really what the holidays are about. Even those living with cancer just want to celebrate and do all the normal things that others can. I am passing along a note I received from Brock at the Ulman Fund....

On Monday I was at the University of MD Greenebaum Cancer Center and my co-worker and I asked a 21 year old girl we’ve been working with what else we could do to help her while she was waiting for her test results and she said,

“A Christmas present for my 5 year old daughter”

This nearly crushed me and I said to her, we can do that and will do that! This young girl isn’t the only young adult in need and we need everyone’s help!

The Ulman Cancer Fund is adopting over 10 families for the Holidays by getting gifts donated for the children of several young adults currently in cancer treatment. Most of the families are of young adults we are working with at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center and within the Region. The families live in Baltimore City , Howard County and the Washington , DC Area. The kids range 8 months to 12 years.

Visit to this link to learn more about some of the family’s situations and their kids ages and sexes and how to donate: http://www.ulmanfund.org/GetInvolved/DonateGifts/tabid/758/Default.aspx

We are accepting gifts until Thursday December 17 and will be delivering the gifts to the families on Monday, December 21. If you can’t donate a gift due to time or geographic challenges, we are accepting donations on-line and we will be purchasing gifts with these donations for the families.

Please chip in if you can and forward to any friends who may be interested.

Thanks & Happy Holidays!

We Need a Little Christmas Right this Very Minute

I know I get pretty serious on this blog. So I wanted to share a nice story, especially now that we've entered the holiday season.

Today I received a letter from a young woman. For her 8th grade confirmation, her parents gave her the gift of money that she could use to donate to a charity of her choice. She wrote that she went through a long process to narrow down the charity that she wanted to donate to. She chose NCCF because she liked the fact that we strive to help young adults with cancer. She felt the "Waeger Will Win" attitude really makes a difference. So she and her family donated $400 to our cause.

I was really touched by this. First, I was impressed that her parents used what could have been an opportunity to give her an ipod or other material item as a way to teach her the benefits of being charitable at a young age. Second, that she came to the decision on her own after giving it a lot of thought. And third, and not last, that she chose NCCF.

I admit, I can be a little cynical sometimes. But receiving this letter and donation was just a wonderful gift that reflects the spirit of the season. And reminds me, and hopefully us, that Dan's message is still powerful.

So thank you Veronica!