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December 11, 2006
Last night I had the honor of giving the keynote address at the Candlelighters Childhood Cancers Foundation’s annual tree lighting ceremony in Washington D.C. (I am on the board of the organization.) It is an event where children who have died from cancer are remembered and those in treatment are honored. (Gold ribbons are placed on the tree by family and friends.)
It was a joy to celebrate with children who have survived the disease and to share hope with kids who are fighting the good fight. I wept with a heavy heart for the parents who bravely came up to the microphone to say the name of their child who had passed away and then place the gold ribbon on the tree. (There are way to many mothers and fathers remembering children who have passed away from the horrible disease.)
I am so proud to be part of the Candlelighter family. The unparalleled love, support, caring and kindness these family’s show for each other (despite the awful nightmare they have been through) is unbelievable. (It was so touching to see families whose children have survived hugging and holding those who have not been so fortunate.)
I was swamped with hugs, kisses and high fives from a happy bunch of kids who manage to enjoy life to the max despite all they have been through. I am happy that some of the kids I saw last year now have HAIR! (Georgia. Amber and Alex are off treatment and looking fantastic.)
What an inspirational evening. I got to see many of my little buddies and made some new friends, including a young girl with an amazing spirit. Her name is Ambriel and she is one incredible human being. (See picture above.)
To quote Ambriel’s mum. “Our journey began with a routine X-ray ordered by a urologist looking for any calcium build up in Ambriel's bladder.
What he found was a monster lodged deep within the skeleton of our ten year old daughter, Ambriel. Her pelvis looked as though something had taken a bite out of it.
After a month of tests, doctors, and referrals, Ambriel was diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma, a very rare bone cancer on October 11, 2006. Two weeks later she had a golf ball size tumor removed along with the top half of her right pelvis. Her life and ours were forever changed....
Upon meeting her, Ambriel greeted me with a smile that warmed my soul. I was awed by her spirit and uncompromising determination. You will be hearing a lot more about this amazing individual.
This is what she told her mother recently: "They took the bone from my body, but it has been replaced with the love of my family and friends... I am not missing anything..." -Ambriel Nov. 2006
As a member of the Candlelighters I am truly blessed to know so many wonderful families who despite their awesome burden can still reach out and comfort others.
Posted by trevor at December 11, 2006 06:35 AM
Comments
Thanks for the update. It is good to see you.
Posted by: Anne at December 11, 2006 10:18 AM
What you do makes such a difference. During this holiday season, may we truly remember to count our many blessings!
Posted by: Daphne at December 11, 2006 11:36 AM
Wow! This is an amazing post and Ambriel is an amazing person!
Posted by: Liz Ness at December 11, 2006 12:43 PM
Thank you so much for this post. The way you are with kids is incredible. May all kids be blessed to have you touch their life.
Posted by: dutch_kids at December 11, 2006 01:31 PM
If we all view life the way Ambriel did, we'll have less bitterness, sorrowful soul in this world......
ps: Last sunday, my church was having a christmas party, and i was twisting long balloon for kids. It was a joy to see lots of "laughing" faces around me, there's no room for "sadness" at all in that sunday!
Merry Christmas to You, Trev...
Posted by: Felix Chai at December 12, 2006 02:15 AM
trev,
thank you seeing the world the way you do,
and allowing us to see through your eyes as well.
blessed be to ambriel, and to you, and to all the angels on this earth.
blessed be,
Leonie
Posted by: Leonie at December 12, 2006 03:42 PM