Make A Wish Trip

     In case any of you missed it, here are the results of our little Hazelnut's scans:

     We are absolutely overjoyed to be able to share this news!  It almost feels like a dream that our daughter has been and continues to be rid of the beast we call Neuroblastoma, and we couldn't be more thankful.  God has truly given our family a remarkable story of hope and faith, and I pray that we can continue to share His faithfulness with the world!

     For those of you who may not have heard, at the beginning of this month we were able to travel to Orlando, Florida for Hazel's "Make A Wish Trip" to Disney World and Universal Studios!  We had a fabulous time making memories, and especially being all together as one family unit for an entire week!  You could see how much of a difference that made for the children, and watching them be filled with joy and magic was unbelievable. Each day was packed full of so many details that I could not even begin to share, but I think these photos tell a better story anyway!

Arriving at the airport

Our first day in the Magic Kingdom

The main street electrical light parade was spectacular!

Following a pirate map in Adventureland to find treasure!

Checking to see if she is tall enough to ride

Princess Merida gave her a kiss and said, "You cannot rub it off, you can only rub it in!"

At the Animal Kingdom

The children got to be wilderness explorers for a day!

At Diagon Alley in Universal Studios

After trying butter beer!

Hogsmeade was beautiful!

My parents traveled with us to help us with the kiddos

Our home for the week at Give Kids The World Village

Pretending to sleep by Elmer the Sleeping Tree

Carousel Rides at the village

Ice Cream any time of day!  (This was such a special treat since we have cut out sugar!)

Miniature golf at the village

Swimming at the village

EXHAUSTED!

   

September

     Our little Hazelnut and family has had a very busy September! She has been feeling great and even had a regular check up where everything looked normal (something I am still not used to yet!). During that check up she had her first blood draw without her central line. That means she has to be poked in her arm for the first time since the beginning of treatment. She has seen countless needles with the daily injections, but that did not make this any less traumatic. Even though she was terrified, she did an amazing job and I couldn't be more proud. From here on out, all blood draws and injections for scans will be done this way, so please pray for my sweet baby. Her six  month post treatment scans are scheduled for the 15th and 16th of this month, so please pray for clean scans. We spent most of the month "Going Gold" for Childhood Cancer Awareness and it was glorious. We marched for childhood cancer awareness in front of CHLA, went to Super Max's Loom-a-Thon, took part in a parade for Alex's Lemonade Stand, did an interview for our local news and helped my children's school organize a weeklong book drive to benefit pediatric oncology patients and a gold spirit day.  God has truly blessed us with all of these opportunities to spread awareness and to give back and I am so thankful. Here are some pictures of the festivities:

     In addition to all the wonderful things we took part in, we also had a bit of a scare with Hazel's new sister Zoey. When at her well child exam, the pediatrician noticed that her little bum crack was shaped like "Y" at the top, instead of in a straight line. Sometimes this can indicate a tethered spinal cord or a form of spina bifida. The news of this possibility was utterly overwhelming. She had an ultra sound done but it was inconclusive and an MRI has been scheduled for the 21st of this month. So I humbly ask for your prayers for yet another member of our family to have clear and normal scans. At first, I was very worried and fearful to be facing the possibility of another health scare. But in God's ultimate mercy and faithfulness, He has covered me with a peace beyond understanding. I have full confidence in Him, knowing what He has already carried us through!

September Is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

     We have so many opportunities to share with you in how you can help bring awareness for Childhood Cancer this month!  First, please feel free to use any of the following photos to post on all of your social media sites.  We need to turn the world gold!

 

     Childhood Cancer Portraits

     Several months ago Hazel participated in a truly inspiring moment with Photographer Peter Doyle. After his success with his book Breast Cancer Portraits: Wisdom From The Journey, he wanted to help bring awareness, hope and wisdom to the world of childhood cancer. Hazel, along with 101 other children were photographed, interviewed and allowed to write handwritten notes to be featured in a beautiful book called Childhood Cancer Portraits: Wisdom From the Journey. The e-book will be released on September 1st, just in time for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month! Not only has Peter created a beautiful tribute to these fighters, but he is also giving back! If you click the link below and purchase the book, $5 of each sale will go directly to our family and in turn will be donated to St. Baldrick's Foundation and The Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation! Please join us in this wonderful opportunity and click and share the link! http://tinyurl.com/HazelChildhoodCancerBook

Here is a quick preview from the book:

The Carousel of Possible Dreams     

     In the U.S. about 600 children each year are diagnosed with Neuroblastoma alone. Of those 600, nearly 70% will be diagnosed at Stage 4 (metastasized) and every 16 hours one of those children will lose their life. Currently, there is no known cure or standard protocol for relapsed Neuroblastoma and for those children with advanced staged disease, they have a 50-60% chance of relapsing. This is why research is absolutely crucial!!
     To do our part in helping to put an end to this, we have joined The Festival of Children in their fundraiser The Carousel of Possible Dreams in raising money for Neuroblastoma research for the month of September! We have 1 month to raise my personal goal of $5,000.00 that will be matched dollar for dollar bringing the total to $10,000.00 for NANT (New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy) research. If all of you just donate $1.00 we could raise thousands of dollars for these kids!!!. Every donation is greatly appreciated and will help save children's lives. Please click the link below to donate to TEAM HAZEL and please share it with those you know! Thank you for your support!

TEAM HAZEL

The Nautica Malibu Triathlon

     The Nautica Malibu Triathlon, benefiting Children's Hospital Los Angles will happen on Sunday, September 14.  You can participate in one of two ways: 1)Register for the event (There will also be a Nautica Kids Run and Tot Trot, so kids are welcome to!) Nautica Malibu Triathlon and 2)Donate to our dear friend's the Andrade's as they honor their daughter Sophia is running and and raising $5000.  Team Sophia 

March for Childhood Cancer in Los Angeles

   Organized by the Bumpus family, whose daughter Lilly was in treatment with Hazel at CHLA, this event is hoping to bring awareness to LA!!  Meet at CHLA at 11:30am to hear a speech from Trish Bumpus and for a march down Sunset Blvd.  Be sure to come covered in gold, make a sign with who you are marching for and bring your whole family!

Challenges

Whipping Childhood Cancer Challenge - Similar to the Ice Bucket Challenge, this challenge has you take a whipped cream pie to the face and donate $7 (7 children die each day from cancer) or if not, donate $46 (46 children in the US get diagnosed each day) to a childhood cancer charity of your choice

MaxLove #GoldSelfie- The MaxLove Project ("MaxLove Project is a nonprofit organization helping SuperKids thrive against the odds with integrative medicine and 100% LOVE") challenges you to post a Gold Selfie.  Think kitsch, gaudy, outrageous, sequined, glitter, vintage, modern, silly or glam, make gold count for kids fighting cancer. Make your #GoldSelfie count by challenging your friends, citing a childhood cancer stat, and calling out your favorite childhood cancer charity. Tweet your #GoldSelfie to your favorite influencers and share with your Instagram followers. Join up to make social media #Gold for kids fighting cancer.
#HonestLovesMax - The MaxLove Project is also partnering with The Honest Company.  For each time the hashtag #HonestLovesMax appears on any social media outlet, $1 will be donated to The MaxLove Project up to $30,000!  That's it!  No cost to you, so get posting!!
#EmpireGoGold #WolrdGoGold - Recently there has been a movement across the nation for landmarks and well known buildings to "light up" gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  Unfortunately, the Empire State Building has refused time and time again, even after lighting up for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The US Open and in a bid for the Democratic National Convention.  Head on over to the Facebook page to see how you can help turn the world gold!
#ChildhoodCancerChallenge - This Facebook groups has many different challenges you can take part in to bring awareness.

     I am sure there are a ton of other ways to show your support, but this is all I have for now.  If more comes up, I will be sure to share!  Thank you all for your continued support, and as always, keep praying for Hazel and kids like her!