A Childhood Cancer Survivor Blogging about the World of Childhood Cancer

Posts tagged ‘Oprah! Please Do a Show on Childhood Cancer’

Some Serious Gratitude

Nicholas, Mom, and I drove to Santa Barbara today and spent the day with Jaynie =) Shopping, beach, Rowan and Maclintock, lunch at Brophy Brothers… some serious gratitude…

So much gratitude, my joy from the day is spilling over into my letter of the day to Oprah.

Dear Oprah,

By the grace of God, I traveled today through Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and over the Cachuma Pass to a sight I will never forget—the crystal clear Pacific Ocean glowing with a light I have never seen before, with all of the Channel Islands lined up in a row. The spectacular sight made me think about how the most important things in life are not things. What I am writing to ask you for is not a thing, but it is certainly spectacular!

Oprah, will you please do a show on childhood cancer?

I am a sixteen year-old, cancer-surviving “soldier” in the Army against childhood cancer. Please know that I am not asking to be on your show. I am asking you to please have a show that will educate your audience that cancer is the #1 disease killing children. 80% of children who are diagnosed with cancer have advanced stages of the disease, compared to 20% in adults. If you would choose to shine your light on childhood cancer, this statistic alone could take a MAJOR tumble!

I think of how many children’s lives you could save with just one show. I think of the magnificent scene I had the blessing of viewing today and I imagine. I imagine all of those children who will never get to see anything like what I just saw today.

My gratitude sets me on fire to change what is and what should not be.

With my appreciation to my producer friends who keep reading my letters,

Melinda

16 year-old author of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

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Can’t Stop Imagining…

Dear Oprah,

My name is Melinda Marchiano, and I am sixteen years old. Three years ago this day, I was at Cottage Hospital receiving chemo for Hodgkin lymphoma. You can imagine my gratitude today. Really, unless you have been taken to the brink of death over and over again, you cannot—even with the best imagination—come close to knowing the elation I feel.

The gratitude I feel for my life spills over into deep care for children who are facing their own cancer diagnosis. Childhood cancer is the #1 disease killing children. 80% of children who are diagnosed with cancer have advanced stages of the disease, compared with 20% in adults. We have come far in helping adults become aware, but heart-wrenchingly, we as a society fall horribly behind in education about childhood cancer. The results of this lack of awareness are devastating!

For these reasons, I have joined with 51,000 others to ask you to please do a show on childhood cancer. I imagine what you could do; your voice reaches far. Gosh Oprah, my heart knows how much you can help.

Praying for this miracle… can’t stop imagining,

Melinda

P. S. Hi Producers… hope you are having a nice day– me again:)

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Oh What a Gift for the World!

Dear Oprah,

Hi, it’s me again, Melinda. I don’t mean to exasperate your producers by sending letters to you every day; I am part of the 51,000 people- Facebook movement asking you to do a show on childhood cancer. This is our way of expressing the urgency of our heartfelt request for you to give a voice to childhood cancer. I can honestly say that I am not aware of one person who is doing this so that they can have a moment of fame on your show, but rather, because we have seen the devastation and we want to share ways we can lessen it.

Childhood cancer is largely ignored by NCI and the American Cancer Society. They provide very little funding for research in comparison to adult cancers. Children with cancer are being killed by their treatments—we need less toxic treatments now. CureSearch and Children’s Oncology Group say that with adequate funding, a cure is within our reach. Will you please help to gather those wonderful philanthropists who want to make a difference by giving away their fortunes? We can cure childhood cancer by proper funding! Money! What an incredible gift we could share with the children of this world!!! It makes sense to me that finding a cure for childhood cancer would also help adults with cancer.

Let’s gather the people who care.

Let’s raise the funds.

Let’s strangle childhood cancer until there is no life left in it.

Oh what a gift for the world.

Let’s do it.

With utmost sincerity,

Melinda

16 year-old author of Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery

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My Christmas Day Letter to Oprah

 

My Christmas Day Letter to Oprah…

Dear Oprah,

My name is Melinda Marchiano and I am sixteen years old. When I was thirteen, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. Today, I am in remission and working hard to stop childhood cancer—yes, I am writing to you on Christmas Day. If I could open my heart for you to look inside, what you would see is a whole ton of gratitude. It is this gratitude inside me that drives me to become a voice for children who cannot speak for themselves.

Oprah, CureSearch and Children’s Oncology Group state that with adequate funding, a cure is within our reach.  I believe them. What you could do, by giving a voice to childhood cancer, is astronomical in scope. When children are diagnosed with cancer, 80% are at advanced stages—compared to 20% in adults. I cannot sit silently with my “cure” and allow my fellow young cancer patients to continue their battles without fighting with everything I have for their cure too. Just by raising awareness, we can all make a difference. Today is the day to begin to stop the suffering. We need awareness. We need funds for research. We need a cure. Today.

As I looked around the table today at all of my family at our Christmas feast, I could not have been more thankful. At the same time, I will admit that thoughts of the Nunn family… who lost their seven year-old son Max this past Thanksgiving Day to brain cancer…danced through my heart all day long.

Please Oprah, please do a show on childhood cancer,

Melinda

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Barry Eva Chat and Magnificent Make-A-Wish

I enjoyed chatting today on Blog Talk Radio with Barry Eva. I absolutely love his voice and the way he speaks! What a lovely and gracious host he is; I had such a good time! He obviously took time and effort to prepare for the interview so that he was able to ask great questions. I hope that listeners learned something about childhood cancer, and I hope that Barry enjoyed meeting me as much as I enjoyed meeting him. I think I might have to start working on my own radio show so that I can invite Barry to have a chat with me! I would like to ask Barry some questions of my own:)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/across-the-pond/2010/12/02/a-book-and-a-chat-with-melinda-marchiano

 Guess who called yesterday with an update? My amazing Make-A-Wish person, Stefanie, called! I realize that my wish will take awhile to process before I will hear anything, and Stefanie is very thoughtful to let me know that they have not received an answer yet. I truly appreciate the kindness of Make-A-Wish Foundation in helping make this passionate wish of mine come true.

With all of my heart, I know that if my wish is granted, at least one child’s life will be saved.

At least one life. That one life is worth everything I am working for and more.

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Waiting to hear from Make-A-Wish

I haven’t heard a word from Make-A-Wish… not even one word. I have decided I won’t analyze things, or stress about what this means or doesn’t mean. What is meant to happen will happen. Okay, I will admit that I am a teeeeeeeeeensy weeeeeeeensy bit encouraged because I did not receive an immediate, “NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” As each day goes by, I also admit that I imagine myself as a fly on the wall at HARPO Studios as Oprah’s producers scratch their heads and nod at one another in agreement that a show on childhood cancer would be AMAZING!

Okay… imagination is rolling…

After a information-filled Oprah Show that includes CureSearch, Children’s Oncology Group, St. Baldrick’s, and so much more, then Oprah can announce a great big surprise! Oh my gosh, I can see it now– I can really see it!

Oprah announces that her Angel Network is going to build the BIGGEST, BADDEST (yes, BADDEST!) most utterly powerful Childhood Cancer War Machine ever imagined by humankind! She tells her audience how her heart has been moved to make a huge difference in the lives of children with cancer in our country and throughout the world. Oprah goes on to tell all of us how material things are “of this world,” but helping find a cure for childhood cancer is permanent, lasting, and the most worthwhile of all of her missions here on Earth.

It is, in fact, the mission of a true angel. I am still wishing, still hoping, still praying… for Oprah to be the Angel I am seeking.

Oprah Please Do A Show On Childhood Cancer - Our Kids Need Your Help

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Dear Oprah…

Dear Oprah,

I thought long and hard about what I want to do for my Make-A-Wish—where I want to go, who I want to meet. It seemed to be the toughest decision in the world. Each desire that popped into my head left me feeling even more indecisive, and I was left searching for what I truly wanted.

Then, it came to me; it was so obvious. I want awareness. I want better care. I want understanding. I want hope. I want a voice for all of the kids and families who are too beaten down by cancer that no one can hear their cries. People know very little about childhood cancer and greater awareness will lead to earlier detection and SAVE LIVES.

I wish with all of my heart and every fiber of my being that someone, at last, educates people about childhood cancer. My wish is, in fact, not just a single desire, but the wish of thousands and thousands of people.  Yes, childhood cancer is sad, but if we acknowledge it, face it head on, and make everyone aware of it, many children’s lives will be saved and many parents will not have to lose their child.

My wish is the single most passionate, heartfelt desire I have ever known, and with your help, I am hoping and praying that it will come true.

With my sincere appreciation for considering my wish,

Melinda 

In her book, Grace: A Child’s Intimate Journey Through Cancer and Recovery, Melinda Marchiano offers an honest and inspiring portrayal of her cancer experience through the eyes of a teenager and proves there is medicinal value in love and laughter.  Melinda and I share a common bond.  We are survivors.  And we believe in the importance of empowering fellow survivors to live life on their own terms.  By sharing her story, Melinda is giving a voice to this global epidemic that needs immediate attention.  I am grateful to Melinda for having the courage to speak up and for her generosity in helping others fighting cancer.   – Lance Armstrong      

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

 

                                                               

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My Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish is one amazing organization. What they do for children who have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses is beyond kind. I love reading stories in the paper, or seeing them on  TV, about children receiving their wishes. I imagine all of the pain, suffering, and despair they have endured and it makes the smiles on their faces mean everything to me– and I am sure it does to them too!

I have been contemplating what I should wish for a very long time. Yesterday, I submitted my wish to Stephanie– my wonderfully thoughtful and warm Make-A-Wish representative. This is what I wished for:

I’ve decided on a wish!  I want Oprah to do a show on childhood cancer. =)  I want it to be very clear that I am not wishing to BE on the show.  I am asking that she grant the wish of the 45,000 + followers of the “Oprah, Please Do a Show On Childhood Cancer” Facebook page.  This would lead to greater awareness and SAVE CHILDREN’S LIVES.  This is my most heartfelt and passionate wish yet!  I hope that you are doing well, Stephanie!   Hugs!

-Melinda

 http://bit.ly/br6Mrg

KSBY 6 TV Childhood Cancer Awareness Oprah Facebook Movement:

http://www.ksby.com/news/local-teen-cancer-survivor-joins-facebook-plea-to-oprah/

If you knew that you had only one wish, and you knew that with that one wish you could save children’s lives and lessen their suffering, wouldn’t you wish the same thing? How can I, knowing what I know about how desperate the need is for awareness, early detection, less toxic treatment, and funding for research, not make this wish? 

I would love  to see the National Cancer Institute make a huge change in their budget– to appropriate much more than the measly 3%  that is currently allocated for all childhood cancers. Seriously people (there I go again, addressing all of humankind:)) this is pitiful. Are children a priority in the United States of America?

How about children who are fighting for their lives against cancer?

I believe I have made my point…

 

 

Pin The Bag of Chemo on the Mass

 

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Oprah Please Do A Show On Childhood Cancer

I will leave my current Twitter theme to let you know that the Oprah Please Do A Show On Childhood Cancer Facebook page is growing rapidly. If you visit the page tonight (And Please “Like” if you have not already 🙂 ) http://bit.ly/br6Mrg you will find great excitement about a news story that has “gone viral.” A story that aired in Kansas City with the founder of the page and her inspirations, girlfriend Deliece and her son, Braden (who are both fighting cancer,) is being aired in cities across the country tonight! This is awesome, awesome, awesome!

Okay, I see you shaking your heads and wondering… why Oprah? Why “awareness”?

What if just one parent learns to ask for a second opinion? What if just one teen realizes they need to speak up and tell someone they trust that they don’t feel well? What if one child with cancer sees the show and knows deep inside that there are people who care and there are people who are working to make things better for children with cancer?

What if viewers realize for the very first time that there is a Monster attacking our children?

What if a viewer who has lots and lots of $$$$$$$$$$$ they couldn’t possibly spend sees the show and decides to “fully fund” pediatric cancer research? (oooooooooo I love this one!)

Childhood Cancer

 We tell children that there are no such thing as “monsters,” but the truth is there is a monster that attacks from within and destroys in horrific ways.

The monster’s name is Cancer.

I’m out to get it.

Oprah Please… Pretty Please?

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I Got in Trouble on Twitter

I have had a Twitter account for over a year, but I have just begun regular tweeting in the last couple of months so that I can help spread the word about childhood cancer and also to receive regular updates from various cancer information sources. One of the strategies that the founder of the Oprah Please Do A Show on Childhood Cancer uses to grow the page is tweeting. She tweets to different celebrities– people who have huge Twitter followings– and asks them to retweet about “Liking” the page. Her Twitter name is @PiedPiperinKC, and when she gets someone to retweet, all of the rest of us “Followers” retweet the tweet. Got all that????

Okay, so here comes little @1ballerina (me!) trying to help the cause. I retweet everything that comes along, but I start to think, “Hey, I could actually tweet some of my own if I just copy @PiedPiperinKC’s tweets and start sending them off to other people she hasn’t sent to. I’m feeling really good about sending off tweets to help raise awareness for childhood cancer– working to save lives– when poor little @1ballerina gets a swift CYBERSWAT! I received a return tweet from an obviously disturbed recipient. Warren Whitlock, who has an enormous Twitter following, told me not to send him “Spam” and then told me he would have to “report me.” I followed with a “Is this Spam?” tweet and he politely replied with the definition. I had no idea that I could get in trouble and have people “Report me” on Twitter! How many tweets can I send before I cross over the line to SPAM? If I change up the wording just a bit in each one, does that disqualify my word-shuffled tweets from being classified as SPAM?

What the heck happens to poor little @1ballerina if I do get “reported”??????????????

Who ARE  the Twitter Police?

I hope they don’t catch me… I am going to have to type my childhood cancer awareness tweets in the dark of night… and hope they don’t GET me.

May I remind all of you one more time why I am willing to risk the Twitter Police?

http://www.kmbc.com/r-video/25662362/detail.html

Sometimes we have to ruffle a few feathers on our way to saving children’s lives. I am very sorry Mr. Whitlock for ruffling yours… @1ballerina really didn’t mean to.

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

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