CCA Blog

While going through my pictures the other day, I found a picture of me in my high school graduation gown. Oddly enough, my first thought was “Oh yeah, I graduated”. Then I remembered how difficult it was to finally get on that stage so I could receive my diploma. Because of my CF I had a very hard time staying current with the other students in school. Partly because I was gone a lot and in the hospital, or because I didn’t have enough time to learn the things we were doing. So after being in and out of school, being home schooled for 5 years, and just barely getting all my credits in time, I made it!

Seeing that picture reminded me of a very valuable lesson:

It’s easy to get caught up in the things we don’t, wont, or can’t have, maybe even the things we have to do, or the treatments we have to get through. We’ll end up tangled in so much that we forget to stop and take note of our trophies, and war wounds. I’m here to tell you that it’s natural. But I’m also here to tell you that every once and a while you have to stop and take note.

Remember your accomplishments! Remember where you’ve been, what you’ve achieved, what barriers you’ve broken down, what hard battles you’ve won, and how strong you are now because of it. If you remember that, there’s nothing you can’t do, and no fight you can’t win.

Keep your sight on the things you want out of life, but don’t ever forget what you’ve already attained.

Warmly,

Phoebe

Happy Holidays!

One of the most important things my cancer experience has taught me is to enjoy every minute of life. I think that most people look at being diagnosed with cancer as unlucky. And it is. It’s not fair that you were given cancer out of millions of other people.

But getting cancer is a gift too. What I realized while going through treatment was that getting cancer gave me a whole new perspective on life. It taught me to enjoy the little things. It taught me to not waste time spending time with people I didn’t like. But I think most of all it taught me that life is truly a gift.

So enjoy yourself this winter break! Have a great couple of weeks off, and enjoy the holidays. It really is the most wonderful time of the year. Enjoy spending time with your family, and your friends. Enjoy every second you have with them because you’re here, and it’s a great time to celebrate.

Well, this is my last blog. Thank you so much to Children’s Cancer Association for giving me this incredible opportunity. It’s been an honor for me to be the teen blogger for them these past few months. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading what I had to say, and/or found my advice helpful. So long!

Thanks for reading,

Jimmy

While you go through treatment for cancer, most of the attention in the family is focused on you. I know that it sucks to go through treatment, you didn’t ask for it and you didn’t ask to go through it, but the fact of the matter is - the attention is on you.

If you have a brother or sister, it’s not always easy for them to cope with this change. They’re scared for you, and they can feel neglected when mom and dad are always talking about you, your treatment and your progress.

Spend some time with your sibling, maybe play some games or do something fun with them. They want to support you, and they care about you a lot. I was diagnosed two days before my sister’s 9^th birthday (no, I’m serious – what are the odds, right?). Even though I was a little late, as soon as I was on a little less morphine, I had my mom order her a birthday present from Amazon.com, because I didn’t want her birthday to be forgotten.

My sister Molly has given me so much support these past four years. I love her more than anything, and I’m proud to even know her. Through my getting cancer, our relationship is stronger then ever, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Your sibling wants to support and be there for you, too. Sometimes you just have to be the first to extend your hand.

Thanks for reading,

Jimmy

Last night we celebrated the joy of the holiday season with over 60 friends of CCA who attended our Holiday Open House. We are so grateful for the toys that many of you brought and placed under our Christmas Tree and Menorah. 

It was such a joy connecting with our friends and meeting new friends with the smell of hot apple cider wafting in the air and the beautiful sound of piano music. 

I had the pleasure of meeting a family whose story touched my heart. They have been annual donors to CCA through the 105.1 the Buzz radiothon for several years. Last year their five year old son complained of a headache and before they knew it they were in going through treatments for meningitis. Their son was placed in a induced coma in an effort to reduce the pressure in his brain. Mom shared that when CCA’s harp music began to play they noticed that his blood pressure vitals were reduced to a level they had been unable to reach. She was delighted and amazed! Later in the week CCA’s staff came by to play guitar and sing with her son. She then learned it was CCA who had been providing the music, and shared her jaw dropped realizing that the organization she had been supporting for years was now providing her support. 

This personal story reminded me of the impact CCA makes every day and how fortunate we are to have the support of our community in all we do. Thank you for making CCA part of your family.

Happy Holidays!

Dave Schaeffer, CCA's Vice President of Development

I hope you all a great week.  I had a good week at school, and a lot of fun this weekend. I was able eat pizza and watch a movie with a few Portland Trail Blazers, thanks to CCA!  I also went to the Zoo Lights.  If you have never been to the Zoo Lights you should check it out. There were so many bright, fun displays. 

I am getting excited for winter break with just one more week remaining.  I don't have any big plans, except staying up late every night and sleeping in every morning.  I love watching movies and playing video games late at night when I don't have school the next day.  I also hope that while I am on my break my dad will take me to the mountain to play in the snow.
 
Enjoy your own break and I hope this week goes by super fast for all of us :) 
  
Your friend,

Jacob

Hi friends! Hope you all are doing well, I am am doing great! I have been busy getting ready for Christmas. I got my tree this weekend and we decorated our house inside and out.  I love this time of year when I get to hang out with my family doing cool stuff like this. I look forward to baking cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve and giving him a large glass of soda.
 
I am hoping that the weather stays cold like this and we have snow for Christmas day. How much fun would it be to be out sledding on Christmas?! Hope you all are great and I will talk to you next week.

Your Friend,

Jacob

In my opinion, having fight in you is the most important thing you can have while going trough cancer treatment. It’s part of being positive, but I think having fight means more than that. It means not only looking on the bright side, but also believing you can beat your cancer.

When I went through treatment, I always told myself that I was going to beat my cancer. It was hard, because of being diagnosed with the same cancer twice, but that’s the kind of mentality you need to have. You need to believe that you are stronger than your cancer. Because you are. Whatever that stuff is inside your body is, your will to live your life is and should be stronger. As bad as cancer is, you can beat it. You can beat this life-threatening disease, and you can eventually put it behind you.

Going through treatment for cancer is not easy. It will probably be the hardest thing you will ever do. The road is long and tough, but the strength of your willpower will enable you not only make it to the end, but also to travel that road a little easier.

Thanks for reading,

Jimmy

Wearing black and red (sans high heels), I got to spend the day before Thanksgiving having a ton of fun at the Portland Trail Blazers practice facility. About 10 kids we serve, wearing No. 2 Steve Blake jerseys (courtesy of the Blazers), were playing a pick-up game and running drills with our favorite NBA point guard, Steve Blake. It didn't matter if the kiddo had no hair, couldn't eat sugar, was encased in an upper body cast, had legs that could not move, or was incredibly shy; just as soon as Steve started playing with them the smiles, laughter and joy started, and the kids and their parents forgot their troubles for a couple hours.

 Steve, sore from an awesome game the night before, was just like a kid himself, running, shooting, boosting kids up for dunks, and laughing. It was magic! Because of our amazing board member Tom Penn, the Assistant General Manager for the Trail Blazers, our wonderful business partner Genentech, and the incredible generosity of Steve Blake, these seriously ill kids got to enjoy an afternoon of hoops – just like healthy kids do every day.

There were so many precious moments that day, like watching Jaya move around the court like he owned it, with no fear or shyness even though he was smaller than everyone else there – he sure didn’t seem to notice! And seeing a budding friendship between Gage and Andrew was really special. Both boys were so nervous and shy when they first came, and by the end of the day they were best buddies who didn't want to get off the court. I also witnessed Steve bring to life a shy Angelina, who was playing by herself. Steve drew her out of the corner and lifted her up to shoot a basket, and she had the biggest grin and look of amazement. None of us will forget middle-school basketball star Molly taking on Steve one-on-one, and giving him a run for his money!

Thank YOU for precious Thanksgiving memories.

This week I wanted to talk a little about Make-A-Wish. My first choice was to go to Antarctica, to hang out with penguins (they're my favorite animal), but Make-A-Wish doesn't do international wishes. So I went with my next choice.

I went to Dolphin Research Center in Florida, where I got to interact and learn all about dolphins. In addition to learning about dolphins from researchers at the center, I swam with the dolphins, had a dolphin paint a t-shirt for me, and learned commands to make the dolphins to flips, cartwheels, and tail walks. It was the experience of a lifetime.

If you're going to do something with Make-A-Wish, pick something cool (I know that you're about to say, "duh, Jimmy, of course I'm going to pick something cool"). What I mean is pick something that you are interested in, or that you won't forget for the rest of your life. Don't decide to meet Miley Cyrus, and then a year later wish you picked something different. I'm not trying to dissuade you from meeting someone famous though. I just think you need to be careful about who you choose, and if you think that person will be friendly or not. Trips are also great, and even though you can't go out of the U.S., Alaska and Hawaii are cool places to go (among others). If you're struggling to come up with an idea, think about your favorite animals, sports, music, etc. And if your still not sure, going to Florida to Dolphin Research Center was amazing. But whatever you do, think outside the box!

Thanks for reading,

Jimmy

Hi friends, hope you all had a great long weekend; mine was good. I ate lots of good food and enjoyed spending time with my family. I had Thanksgiving dinner at my grandma's house. On Black Friday, I went shopping with my dad. On Saturday, I went to the Winterhawks "Teddy Bear Toss" game with my family and my Chemo Pal's family also. I had a great time! I even got to go on the ice and help pick up the bears. Sunday, I went to a holiday party and now I am home writing to you all. I hope you all had an awesome weekend and I hope you have a great week at school too.

Your friend,

Jacob