September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Join us today, September 27, 2009 as CURE Childhood Cancer honors CURE Kid Elena Tate. Join our fight as CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time! Donate to Elena’s Fund.
Elena Tate’s Story:
Who would have thought three little words could change our lives so drastically? Our daughter’s pediatrician said, “It is leukemia.” On April 6th of this year, our daughter, Elena was diagnosed. It felt like the world had stopped turning. We have to admit that at the time we knew very little about this disease or how it was treated and we were scared. We couldn’t believe that we would have to tell our nine year old daughter that she had cancer. We couldn’t process it all ourselves. We waited overnight before telling her. Three difficult months followed Elena’s release from the hospital. Elena was unable to do anything unassisted except eat and drink. We juggled work, weekly clinic visits, our younger daughter, Olivia, and learning how to care for Elena. After these first three months, life began to settle. We have been richly blessed with amazing support from our friends, family, church, and even strangers. They have helped us make this transition and continue to be there with us as we fight this battle against cancer.
Does Elena have a long road ahead of her? Yes, she will continue receiving chemotherapy treatments every seven to ten days for the next six months. She will not be off treatment until sometime in mid 2011. Do we find joy in each day? Yes, even if you have to look for it; it is there. Elena was a non-stop, very active girl before being diagnosed. She loved soccer, running, and riding her bike. She’ll be able to do these things again. Since being diagnosed with leukemia, Elena, now 10, has discovered new things. She loves cooking, photography, and scrapbooking.
While our lives have been forever changed, God has been in the details, and He has blessed us along the way. CURE Childhood Cancer has been one of the many blessings. Over the past five months, the work CURE has done has touched our lives. We spent almost a week in the hospital when Elena was diagnosed. One of the first nights we were there, a CURE volunteer delivered a tote bag to us. The tote included a booklet containing information and encouragement we needed to hear those first few days. During clinic visits, Elena loves talking to the CURE volunteers and eating the sweet treats they bring.
Elena has said, “It doesn’t really feel like I have cancer because cancer is such a big word.” Cancer is a big word, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) Though the road is long and there will be bumps along the way, we will take each day, step by step, trusting the Lord with the path He has for our daughter and our family.
Mark and Christy Tate
About September & CURE’S Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time:
September is recognized as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This September, CURE Childhood Cancer has committed to raising awareness and raising money to help find a cure for childhood cancer in our lifetime and put an end to this terrible disease through a special program CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time!
Please help us in our goal of raising $30,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer.
For more information, please click here.
About CURE Childhood Cancer:
Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.
The founders, parents and a dedicated pediatric oncologist, joined forces to support laboratory research that would translate into immediate care for children with cancer.
Since that time, CURE has raised millions of dollars to fund cutting edge research at the Aflac Cancer Center Blood Disorders Service at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University School of Medicine.
Through innovative programming, CURE also provides support for stricken families, providing them comfort and support during their time of devastating need.
Donate to Elena’s Fund
Visit us online at www.curechildhoodcancer.org for more information.
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