JBB Cancer Neuroblastoma

	It was Joseph’s 6th birthday and our friends and family wanted to do something to honor him. We decided that the best way to honor and celebrate his life would be to give a gift to the organizations that made a difference in Joseph’s life and ours\| during his cancer treatments.

	The Floating Hospital http://www.nemc.org/home/aboutus/childrens.htm From the very beginning of Joseph’s treatment, The Floating Hospital involved us in his treatment as a family. We were adopted into their arms, providing us with comfort and trust. We were always able to be with Joseph during difficult procedures and tests. The doctors, nurses and child life staff paid special attention to Michael and Stephen, allowing them to ask questions which made them feel included in treatment. Joseph spent 3½ of his precious years here at The Floating Hospital for Children and we are most grateful for the outstanding care he received.

	Cycle for Life http://www.cycleforlife.com The Floating Hospital’s “Child Life Program” will benefit from the “Cycle for Life” on the second weekend in September. Child Life provides fun, play, and distraction from medical procedures. They were Joseph’s friends and were the reason why he never wanted to leave the clinic to go home.

	Immanuel Church http://www.immanuelchurch.com We could not have gone through this journey without the spiritual support from our loving church body. We were never forgotten in prayer and we always knew they were there for us, physically and spiritually. We were more than honored to have had the saddest/happiest funeral service for Joseph at Immanuel Church. I thank Pastor Gary for reminding us of the true meaning of our existence and that Joseph is now in the land of the living in God’s care.

	The Neely House http://www.camneelyfoundation.com Cam Neely is much more than a retired hockey player for the Boston Bruins. He and his brother, Scott, lost both parents to cancer and in their honor, have formed The Neely Foundation. They have put a lot of thought into making sure that “comfort” is a possibility for cancer patients and their families of NEMC/Floating Hospital through the Neely House. Our family stayed at the Neely House on numerous occasions. The House allowed us to be together as a family during Joseph’s long and critical treatments. We are grateful for this Foundation and especially to the Neelys for sharing a little bit of themselves and providing comfort to others. Currently, the Neelys are supporting the new transplant unit for children at The Floating Hospital.

	Make-A-Wish Foundation http://www.wish.org In April 2003, we were off to Disney World, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This vacation is almost in explainable. They spoiled us with limos, airfare, meals, housing at “Give Kids the World” and free admission to the parks. We had the best vacation and we are so happy to cherish the memories of this trip.

	Alex’s Lemonade Stand http://www.alexslemonade.org The beautiful and caring Alex Scott started a lemonade stand in her front yard to raise money for her hospital when she was 5 years old. Now, thanks to Alex, this has become a nationwide event to continue to raise money for pediatric cancer. Sadly, Alex’s life was taken by Neuroblastoma in August 2004, but her fight for a cure lives on. With big smiles, Joseph was pouring lemonade at our first stand in June 2004. We miss him dearly at our annual lemonade stand, but are even more eager to continue the fight for a better life for these sick children. We have raised almost $8,000.00 since Joseph poured his first cup of lemonade and will continue to support this much needed cause.

	Red Cross https://www.givelife.org Joseph was sent to the PICU many times due to horrific nose bleeds. His treatments to kill cancer cells left him with a dangerously low platelet count, making it very difficult to stop the bleeding. There was, and still is, a shortage of platelet donors, which lowers the threshold for cancer patients to receive platelet transfusions. Please consider giving a gift to these patients and donate blood or platelets.

	Caringbridge http://www.caringbridge.org Caringbridge was a great way for me to update our friends and relatives and allowed them to stay in touch with us. Sometimes medical treatments left us hardly any time to call friends and relatives. We are thankful to have had the opportunity for free use of this website.

	Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation http://www.cncf-childcancer.org Each year we attend a Neuroblastoma conference in Chicago. It is made possible through the CNCF. Log onto this site to learn more about Neuroblastoma and other things that the CNCF provides.

	SuperSibs http://www.supersibs.org I cannot thank SuperSibs enough for trying so hard to make Michael and Stephen feel special. SuperSibs is a non-profit organization that focuses on the siblings of a cancer patient. They sent them T-Shirts, trophies, books, cards and more. What a great idea!!!
	Other gift ideas… Do something nice for someone; send a gift to a child in need, donate “time” (give a little bit of yourself to someone else), plant a tree, donate blood or platelets, save someone’s life by becoming a stem cell donor, volunteer at a hospital, give your loved ones an extra hug. You do have a talent or power to make a difference in someone’s life. Never feel that it is not enough. Pick a special date and take action to celebrate someone’s life.

Honorable Gifts