Wishes and Dreams Giveaway!

When I was 8 years old, my mother was in a car accident that put her in the hospital for the entire summer.  My brother and sister and I were passed back and forth between my Mom's family and my Dad's family, for that summer.  We thought it was a grand adventure!

My cousin Hilda and I were only 6 weeks apart in age, and we had BIG plans for our future (together of course).  We would be contestants in the Miss America Pageant, and it would be a tie, so we would reign together!  We would move to San Antonio (pronounced Santone). And, we would both be secretaries,  marry our bosses, and live in the same neighborhood, and do everything  together.

We had life figured out!  Or, so we thought.  Until, Hilda was diagnosed with Leukemia.  We were 13 at the time she was diagnosed, and she will be forever 13.  She stayed mostly at M.D. Anderson in Houston, but, would sometimes be released to come out to our farm (about 50 miles away).  In 1968, M.D. Anderson was the place that advances in cancer were happening...but, as advanced as they were, they were light years away for her.  She lived for over 6 months from diagnosis, and at that time, the prognosis was much shorter.  As much as I miss her, I will be eternally grateful for the time that we had together...every minute. 

Today, this disease has a far better prognosis, but is no easier for patients and caregivers to bear.  The cure is often as fatal as the disease.  I am having a giveaway to benefit my friend Peggy, who is running a Marathon in Nashville for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 

Peggy's Page

Peggy ran the Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, earlier this year in San Diego.  Here is her story in an excerpt from the Team In Training Newsletter:

Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

Cancer has touched so many peoples life’s personally and mine is no exception.  My first memory of cancer was my aunt Cynthia, who died of Hodgkin’s disease when I was a child.  She left behind three small children, who lived with my family for a short period of time, adjusting to her death. Four years ago in April, my sister, Jackie, called me; she was in the emergency room in Conroe.  The diagnosis was leukemia and they were transporting her to M.D. Anderson in Houston.  My reaction, there has to be a mistake, no way, but within one day, her life and mine were changed forever.  She was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia in blast phase, the worst possible scenario.  I spent the next two weeks exploring all her options with her. This was my first exposure to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  The literature provided by LLS was so helpful and the resources for helping families were accessible immediately.

   Four months into Jackie treatment, I went in for my routine yearly exam including my mammogram.  I was 49 and had perfect reports, this time was different.  The radiologist came in to talk with me.  She discovered 3 tiny micro calcifications (they looked like pin point size white dots) on my right breast.  Her concern, that it was the early stages of ductal cell cancer, she recommended a biopsy.  I scheduled my biopsy for August 30, and August 31, I got the call.  It was malignant but in the earliest stages. I fortunately did not require chemotherapy but did have 6 ½ weeks of radiation because of the aggressive type.  My last day of radiation was the day before Thanksgiving.  Wow oh wow, what a Thanksgiving Day that was!  In August I will celebrate 4 years cancer free.

   The past three years, I have raised money for the research for all cancers with the American Cancer Society but nothing prepared me for the way I feel after joining Team in Training.  Thanks to my friend, Donice Jones, who encouraged me to join, my life has changed because of the wonderful support from my coaches, mentors and team.  I know that the journey just began this year with TNT and it won’t stop with this marathon because the race has not been won yet.  Thank you for your contributions, Peggy.

Please consider a donation for Blood Cancers!  I have signed up for another marathon in Nashville on April 24th!

  http://pages.teamintraining.org/ctx/cmc10/psharp

Cancer has touched most of us, in one way or another in our lifetime. I have only posted 2 stories here, but there are many more out there.  Two more that have touched me can be found on the following blogs:

Elijah's Story

I miss this little guy!  I miss his smiling face peeking over the pew in front of us at church...but, I will remember that smile, always!


Abby's Story 


I have never met this little girl in person, but I feel as if I know her!  Her family is very open about what she is going through on their blog.  Always trusting God to get them through.  They have a button with her story posted on their blog.




I know that this is a long post, but here is what many of you have been waiting for (because I promised to get this up this week...and this week is almost gone)!

Creative Memories Wishes and Dreams Products

12x12 Coverset

12x12 White Pages and Protectors

12x12 Kit - Wishes and Dreams

Stardust Maker

(This package is worth over $100.00!)

All you need to do, is click on Peggy's Donation Button (upper right hand corner) or follow her link (above), and make a donation!  Then come back here, and leave a comment telling me how much you donated.  You will get one entry for each dollar that you donate!  It's that simple!!  No entries after midnight Central time on Wednesday, December 16, 2009.  Winner will be announced on Thursday morning!

Love, Hugs, and Prayers!