Saturday, October 23, 2010

Just Cause Challenge Time

Did you pick up the Friday Freebie that Jodie from Bugaboo stamps gave away yesterday? You're going to need it today. The challenge this week at Catch the Bug is to make a card that represents a cause that you believe in or that has affected your life in some way. I used the bear again and this time I colored the ribbon gold to represent Childhood Cancer awareness.
Photobucket
In the summer of 1977, my then nine year old sister fell off the monkey bars on our backyard swingset. My mom called the doctor because she was having some pain in her back but it wasn't that serious of a fall so the doctor thought there was no need to come in. After several more days of the pain not subsiding, my mom brought her back to the doctor and this time insisted they take x-rays. The doctors and my parents were shocked to find out that the pain she was having was not from the fall, but from the cancer that had invaded her kidneys. What followed was a series of operations, chemo therapy and radiation. I don't remember a lot of details, but I do remember her losing her hair, being very sick from the chemo and crying out in the night that she just wanted to die. She did die, on January 5, 1978 at the age of ten. I can't think of anything worse than watching your child die, and I honestly do not know how my parents survived that. My heart goes out to any family with a child with cancer. Hopefully, with awareness and funding, we can make childhood cancer a thing of the past.
If you are interested in reading more about the Childhood Cancer Advocacy Group, you can find them HERE. Another great organization is the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. You can check them out HERE.
I hope you'll join in the challenge at Catch the Bug. You can win your choice of seven, four or two images of your choice. We'd love to see what you make and hear about the causes that are close to your heart so please join in.
To make this card, I used the Sketch from Papertake Weekly.

11 comments:

  1. Oh Lori--your poo family having to go through this! My cousin had the same thing as a 12 year old. He however, is now 40 years old--and complete recovered. Your card is beautiful!!!!!

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  2. Lori, that is a parents worst fear! Not only to lose a child but to be sick yourself and not be able to watch them grow. Your card is wonderful and represents a great cause!! Thanks for sharing such a touching story.
    Hugs to you...

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  3. Oh Lori wow so sad, I just wish we could find cures for these illnesses how hard it must have been for you and your family. Thanks for sharing your story and your card is wonderful!

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  4. Lori, thank you so much for sharing your sisters story. How wonderful would it be if diseases like this could be cured!! I just love your card too!
    Hugs & Happy Days!
    ~Min

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  5. I have an typically annoying younger sister, but if anything were to happen to her - The pain, loss, and devastation would be unspeakable. . .:( Beautiful story, gorgeous card, amazing cause! :D MWAH!

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  6. Oh Lori! I am so sorry to hear about what happened to you sister, and your parents I just hope that none of us have to ever experience that. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, I hope that something can be done so this sort of thing never happens again. Beautiful card :)

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  7. Oh my gosh, I am having such a ah ha morning reading all these amazing stories about the different experiences you all have had with different cancers and disease. This is especially moving. No parent ever wants to have to go through that. Oh and Great Card.

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  8. Oh Lori! I am so sorry to hear about your sister -- what a horrible thing to experience as a parent or a sibling/young child. No one should go through that! A fabulous card to go with such a touching story.

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  9. Lori, thank you for sharing something so personal. Such a tragic event.

    Love your card hun - you are the best!

    Deanne :)

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  10. Lori, what a horrible thing for your family to go through. I lost a brother when he was 17 & I was 12, but to a car accident, not cancer. Like you, I can't imagine going through it and know it is only by God's grace my folks made it through.

    I LOVE your card! I didn't know the color of childhood cancer was gold, so thank you for sharing that. I have 2 adult friends going through cancer treatment now, and while it is hard for anyone to have cancer, as an adult you can at least understand what is going on in your body. I'll be sure to check out the links you listed.

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  11. Lori - I love your card. Thank you so much for sharing your story although it must have been hard for you. I am so sorry for your loss. I had no idea!

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