Melinda Marchiano

“A Day of Yellow and Gold to Fight Childhood Cancer”

What a world this would be if…

…if we would choose to take care of our children first.

Tony Stoddard is a leader in the world of childhood cancer advocacy, believing our kids deserve the best we can provide. Melinda and I have great respect for this man, his mission, and his brilliant campaign to color our country gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September. Along with Tony, we honor the memory of his son, Cole.

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“This past September I was mired in grief at the loss of my precious five year old son Cole. He passed away from neuroblastoma cancer on January 20th 2012. I created my page “A Day of Yellow and Gold to Fight Childhood Cancer” to honor the memory of my son Cole and all children who have faced the monster that is Childhood Cancer.
I am determined that we will never go through another September without the gold of Childhood Cancer Awareness shining everywhere. Without awareness childhood cancer will remain underfunded and ignored, leaving many thousands of children to continue to suffer through antiquated treatments and to have less than the best chance to survive this monster. I am unwavering in my attempts to see gold each September on town buildings, on the White House, on the fields of the NFL and MLB, on ribbons worn by celebrities, politicians, and media personalities. I want to see as much gold in September as we see pink in October! Our children need and deserve this!”
                                                                                                                 ~Tony Stoddard, Cole’s Dad

  (From People Against Childhood Cancer (PAC2) website)

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I am not sure where or when the motto, “Women and children first” went out of style. I have a sneaky suspicion it left the moment our nation decided money is paramount. I have suspicions it left because treating children with cancer is not a profitable business, unlike treating adult cancers. I suspect it left because we have lost ourselves in adult selfishness.

Today, I ask you to take a stand with Tony for Cole. Take a stand with Tony for all the children who have fought, have suffered, and have taught us that they are worth every bit of “guts” we need to spill to see they receive a much different future. Tony is right. Without awareness, kids with cancer will continue to be treated with “antiquated treatments,” and funding for research will remain frighteningly low. If you haven’t already, please like Tony’s page to color our country yellow and gold. While you are there, tell him how much you appreciate what he is doing for our children. Tell him his heart and the “guts” he is spilling for our dear children are making a difference. Steer your heart under Tony’s wings and help his mission to end childhood cancer soar!

https://www.facebook.com/yellowandgoldforcole

https://twitter.com/smilesforcole @smilesforcole

Smile, Be Happy (Cole’s Song)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSn2WcSo9fc

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Advocacy Opportunity!

Please give a few moments of your time to be an advocate for kids with cancer.

From Kids V Cancer Facebook page today:

#endchildhoodcancer “Please post this pic and put the hashtag #endchildhoodcancer on your status. For every photo shared Hyundai will pledge another $1 to AACR Pediatric Cancer Programs, up to $5,000… as many times possible until Wednesday!”

https://www.facebook.com/kidsvcancer?hc_location=timeline

Can you say “Viral”?

                   Ready, set, go!

Guest Blogger: Lee Marchiano

Melinda will be back soon!