A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Posts tagged ‘Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer’

Why I’m Rooting for the Kansas City Royals in World Series Game 7

Braden's Hope Game 7 of the World Series is tonight!

I live on the Central Coast of California, three hours north of Los Angeles, and four hours south of San Francisco. You might guess that I would be routing for the Giants to win this evening, but this is not so. I admit I am a big Hunter Pence fan, but my heart and my cheers will be with the Royals tonight.

Why would a California girl not be cheering for her California team?

Besides being a big baseball fan my entire life, I am also a fan of “teams” founded to fight childhood cancer. One of my very favorite childhood cancer fighting “teams” is Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer. Melinda and I met Deliece Hofen, the founder of Braden’s Hope, four years ago. At the time, Deliece was in treatment for breast cancer while her son, Braden, was in treatment for Neuroblastoma.

Deliece is one of the brightest shining stars I have ever met on this Earth. Although she has had a mountain of challenges heaped upon her life, she has climbed to tremendous heights through her positive attitude, her beautiful faith, and her undying determination to help others. I love this woman.

Because of her tenacity, her persistence, and her utter brilliance, she has been able to help save her son’s life. Braden is a walking miracle. Deliece is a walking miracle herself!

Whatever could all of this have to do with the World Series tonight?

Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer is located in Kansas City. The Royals have always been huge supporters of this foundation. Before baseball games begin in Kansas City, the enormous screen with a crown sports a photo of Braden and George Brett laughing together while offering a Braden’s Hope Calendar for sale. The calendar has photos of “Hope Heroes” with Royals players. All proceeds go to helping Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer fund vital research for cures for our kids.

I love the Royals for their dedication to helping their local childhood cancer foundation, Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer. Being a major league baseball player comes with many perks. It is refreshing to see these players use their position of sports celebrity to spread human kindness into the world of suffering children. It’s the right thing to do.

What could make me change my mind? Hmmmm….

Maybe the Giants can begin supporting Unravel Pediatric Cancer, one of their local childhood cancer foundations started by another “mama” I love, Libby Kranz.

You see, I love watching baseball, but I love witnessing big hearts in action for kids with cancer even more.

Go Royals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Braden and George

Braden Hofen and George Brett

 Shared from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152654749620970&set=pcb.10152654758315970&type=1&theater

Guest Blogger: Lee Marchiano

 

 

 

 

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A Hero’s Welcome for Zach Hofen

 

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Zach Hofen is ten years old. Melinda and I first met Zach three years ago when we traveled to Kansas City, Kansas to participate in Braden’s Run, a fundraiser for Braden’s Hope Childhood Cancer Foundation. Braden is Zach’s younger brother. Braden was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in December of 2007, the exact same month Melinda was diagnosed with cancer. Unlike Melinda, Braden’s fight against cancer continues to this day.
From Braden’s Caringbridge site:
“Braden was admitted to Children’s Mercy on Friday, December 28, 2007 after a visit to the ER for abdominal pain. A chest x-ray revealed a large white shadow across most of the right side of his chest and extending partially across the left side. A CT scan determined that it was a solid mass, which doctors suspect is a Neuroblastoma, a rare tumor found in infancy and early childhood.”
Braden has endured unimaginable pain and suffering, yet he continues to be an amazingly bright- spirited boy. Without any doubt, Braden’s family has been an enormous factor in his ability to stay positive and stay alive. His parents, Deliece and Brian, are more educated about Braden’s illness than many doctors will ever be. The Hofens have struggled through piles and piles of “bad stuff,” yet, incredibly, this is a family who gives other families hope. Deliece posts beautifully written pieces of her heart about Braden’s illness on Caringbridge and also in her blog, No! This is SERIOUSLY My Life! Amid all the chaos of treatment, they made time to found Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer, to be sure they would make a difference in the lives of many other children.
And this brings us to our hero, Zach. We don’t often think of the effects or the challenges of siblings of those battling childhood cancer. Most of their parents’ time and attention is gobbled up by caregiving. The household has illness living there; there are no “normal” days, yet they are still “normal.” They have constant terror from witnessing their brother or sister suffer and constant fear that death will take them away. In the case of this courageous sibling, Zach has made a hero’s choice and he has completed a hero’s deed. Zach is a bone marrow donor, and his recipient is his brother, Braden. Not only has Zach supported his brother and family with his wit and exuberant personality through the past difficult years, but he has given LIFE to Braden. Deliece says, “Zach is hilarious and has many “Zachisms”. He keeps us laughing every day! “
Zach and his Dad, Brian, return to their home from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in two days, on Friday, April 4. Family friends are planning a Hero’s Welcome for Zach! If you live anywhere near Olathe, Kansas, or if you are able to get there somehow, please, please give Zach the warmest, most sincere and grateful welcome home there could ever be!

Big Brother, Zach! You are a Hero!

Big Brother, Zach!
You are a Hero!

Details are in these links!

https://www.facebook.com/BradensArmy
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bradenh/journal/view/id/533c2331ca16b42c0269d871
https://www.facebook.com/deliece.hofen/posts/10152337426025970

 

 

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Millions of Mini-Lights

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

Amid the turmoil and chaos that is childhood cancer there are millions of mini-lights. By mini-lights, I mean moments of intense joy and happiness. Today, I am so happy, I feel like the lights are more like a beacon!

Happy 7th Birthday Braden!

My buddy, Braden Hofen, turned seven years old today.  Not one of us can come close to imagining the battle he has been through. Braden may be only seven years old, but I look up to him. He helps me be who I want to be and who I need to be.  It’s easy to get our thoughts twisted around by the routine of living our daily lives—and then—someone brings us back to reality. Braden has taught me about reality, about loving, and about courage.

Today, Big Bear, as your adorable mom, Deliece calls you… I send you HUGE Big Bear Hugs.  Please hold onto them because I will be coming to collect them soon.

I want to share with you all of you the elation and joy we feel along with Braden’s mom on this day that many believed would never come… 

Deliece shared these feelings today:

*** So today is all about celebration and happiness!  Today is a day that I’m wearing my HOPE shirt and shouting “TAKE THAT cANCER” as loud and long and to as many people as I can!!  TAKE THAT cANCER!!! You DID NOT get today!! Braden wins this one!!!!

*** Thank you LORD for this day…truly a miracle! I was driving home from Price Chopper where I picked up his John Deere cake for his friends party tomorrow and was smiling and laughing so much I was bawling and had to pull over to get it together! Happy through my entire SOUL! Thank you Lord, thank you!!

Does anyone have any Kleenex nearby? Why is it that tears of joy feel so good?

Braden’s victories makes me want to work harder so that the day we find a cure will be closer. If we all work as hard as Braden has to fight cancer, I don’t see how the illusive cure cannot be right around the next corner. If Braden  can work this hard– remember he is still a kid–what excuse can we possibly have as healthy adults not to do all we can to stop childhood cancer?

Braden, lead the way my little buddy…

Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer

Happy Seventh Birthday Braden!

Isaiah Alonso Foundation asks us to “Like” this page:

Please “like” this page. LaFontaine Hyundai will donate $1 to childhood cancer research through Hyundai Hope on Wheels for every like!

https://www.facebook.com/LaFontaineHyundai?sk=wall

 

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Dear Mr. or Ms. BIG NAME Fashion Designer

Grace: A Child's Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

I am sitting here in my soft, long-sleeved, pink “Team Max” shirt and ideas are bouncing around in my brainola like ping-pong balls. I love my Team Max shirt! I love not only its softness, but most of all that I am able to raise awareness of childhood cancer every time I wear it. I even have the opportunity to answer people when they ask, “Who is Max?” This is my very favorite part; I love having the chance to tell people about one of my biggest heroes. Max set a goal of raising $100,000 for St. Baldrick’s and pediatric cancer research, inspiring multitudes to give with his motto, “Two bucks, I mean it!” At only seven years old, Max knew all about giving and helping others. Last Thanksgiving Day, Max’s family learned the pain of saying good-bye to him. They are now carrying on Max’s mission to raise money for pediatric cancer research, and I have no doubt they will surpass Max’s goal.

Now for the “Bouncing Brainola” part…

I admit that I am “fashion challenged,” and have little knowledge of “what is hot.” Those name brands that have sky-high price tags just because they have a Hot Fashion Name puzzle me.

What if…

What if Team Max, Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer, B+Foundation (“It’s not a grade, it’s an attitude!”) Alexa’s Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Arms Wide Open, Isaiah Alonso Foundation, et al suddenly became popular high fashion? What if everyone suddenly needed fashion gear that not only covers their body and keeps them warm, but it fights childhood cancer every time it is purchased?

Maybe there is someone in the Hot Fashion Designer Name business who would like to give their name to help raise money for childhood cancer– just by lending their name, their brand.

Like I admitted before, I am fashion challenged; my knowledge in this area is slim to none. Please Mr. or Mrs. Fashion Designer with a BIG NAME, step forward into the light so I may see you and welcome you to the most noble of worlds you can live in… the world of helping children in great need.

Max, Mighty Leader and my Hero

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TwitterLand People, please copy, tweet this, and vote to help raise money for Isaiah Alonso Foundation!

Pls RT & vote #kidsmatter 50k from #pepsirefresh http://t.co/P6M3zFg @The_IAF is #kickasscause@socialvest!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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