Chemo Moms of Mobile

Photos!

2008-11-29T10:34:00.001-08:00

I can't figure out how to caption these with the way the blogger is moving the pics, so just make up your own caption! haha
With HOPE,
Tammy

36 hours to go....

2008-11-25T18:43:00.000-08:00

WE HAVE DRESSING ON THE WAY!

WE ARE SETTING UP ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL AROUND 5 PM!!

Thursday, November 27 - the Jubilee Room at USA Children's & Women's, the room is reserved from all day. The actual dinners should take place between 2 pm and 5 pm.

This is what I need donated:
NOTHING!!! YAYAYAYAYAY!! :D

(I am bringing a couple of folks the ingredients to make the last of the casseroles...thanks to all!)

SERVERS: - please realize these people are not ALL serving on the same shift! Many are leaving around 4 and some are not arriving until 4!!

Sandra G
Mandy G
Heather G
Chris V & Jerry V
Mel B & Family
Tommy B & Sheena B
Natosha B & hubby
Ashley S & Lee S
Brandy P & Nicole P?
Karen M & Daughter
Lisa J & Daughter
Kathy L
Sara L
Jerry B
Brad B
Scott H
Jimmy B, Daphne & Family
Stacie G & Family?

You should get a call from me tomorrow to confirm the time you are coming and to make sure my schedule matches...THANKS FOR YOUR SACRIFICE!!!

I can't wait to get some photos on here so you can see all the hard work that has been done to make this successful! It will be a lot of work, but it would be much harder if it wasn't for so many people helping.

With HOPE & THANKSGIVING,
Tammy

Sunday night...

2008-11-23T19:28:00.000-08:00

Still working on dressing.

I have had an offer, still waiting on the final word. In the meantime, does anybody know where I can BUY about 6-8 pans of dressing??? Email me please!
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I got the Thankful Turkey feathers done thanks to my old Sunday School class, 7th & 8th grade girls! THANKS YALL ARE THE BOMBS!

Thursday, November 27 - the Jubilee Room at USA Children's & Women's, the room is reserved from all day. The actual dinners should take place between 2 pm and 5 pm.

This is what I need donated:
FOOD:

6 Pans of dressing are NEEDED
sweet potato casserole - 4 pans - still need more!
green bean casserole - 4 pans
mashed potatoes - 4 pans - still need more (this ran out first last year)
corn casserole - 1 pan
*****I have received donations of canned vegs - I will be more than happy to bring you the pan, the corn/beans and anything else you need to make a casserole before WEDNESDAY!!***********

rolls
assorted pies, traditional Thanksgiving desserts - 4 sweet potato pies, 2 pecan pies, (1) 7 layer cookie bars, 1 apple pie
any other sides that you think would be appropriate

SERVERS: - please realize these people are not ALL serving on the same shift! Many are leaving around 4 and some are not arriving until 4!!

Sandra G
Mandy G
Heather G
Chris V & Jerry V
Mel B & Family
Tommy B & Sheena B
Natosha B & hubby
Ashley S & Lee S
Brandy P & Nicole P?
Karen M & Daughter
Lisa J & Daughter
Kathy L
Sara L
Jerry B
Brad B
Scott H
Jimmy B, Daphne & Family?
Stacie G & Family?

(let me know if you said you wanted to help and you aren't on this list!)

SERVICE POSITIONS:
Hostess/Host (stand outside the room and greet families WARMLY, check their reservations and find ready table)
Hot Food servers (must be adult)
Waitress/waiters (take orders from menus at each table, give orders to food servers, take plate to table, also serve dessert)
Drink servers (get drink orders, refill drinks, offer coffee)
Dishwashers (already filled this position)
*I also need someone to go with me door to door to the rooms where they won't be allowed to come downstairs. We will be filling orders for dinner and bringing it back to the rooms. This needs to be an adult and someone who is comfortable in that setting. PLUS WE CAN'T BE SICK AT ALL...

WE ARE SETTING UP ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL AROUND 5 PM!! Hopefully we will get it all in the room that night so there won't be so much in the morning!!!

NEW UPDATE - FRIDAY

2008-11-21T09:46:00.000-08:00

WE NEED DRESSING...
Unfortunately the place we got the frozen pans of dressing from did not have those again this year...

Anybody know where I can BUY about 6-8 pans of dressing??? Email me please!
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I also am having trouble getting quotes:
What are you thankful for?
To be answered by children currently or have survived a serious illness (cancer of course, cerebral palsy, chronic asthma, anything that puts them in a hospital setting)
I have asked EVERYONE I know (and people I DON'T KNOW) but have only had 6 responses from them!

Example: "I am thankful for my hair growing back", Emma, age 4, ALL
Can you help with this?????? Email me at chemomoms@yahoo.com

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Thursday, November 27 - the Jubilee Room at USA Children's & Women's, the room is reserved from all day. The actual dinners should take place between 2 pm and 5 pm.

This is what I need donated:
FOOD:
6 TURKEYS ARE DONATED!
6 Pans of dressing are NEEDED
sweet potato casserole - 3 pans - still need more!
green bean casserole - 2 pans
mashed potatoes - 2 pans - still need more (this ran out first last year)
cranberry sauce - done!
corn casserole - 1 pan
gravy - done!
rolls
assorted pies, traditional Thanksgiving desserts - 4 sweet potato pies, 2 pecan pies, (1) 7 layer cookie bars, 1 apple pie
any other sides that you think would be appropriate
sweet & unsweet tea (a few gallons) - done!
coffee - getting it from hospital
peanut oil - donated
6 bottles of Creole butter injector - available at Walmart click link to see the brand

DECORATIONS:
Thanksgiving table arrangements - all decorations are donated
table cloths in fall colors - all tablecloths are donated
mini-tablecloths for patient rooms donated
any fall color candles/candleholders - all candles & candleholders are donated

DISHES:
Port City Rentals has GENEROUSLY donated 100 place settings and glasses/coffee cups - I know Sandy is happy about that! ha!
I forgot to add disposable dishes since we will be delivering some meals upstairs - but that has been donated now!

SERVERS: - please realize these people are not ALL serving on the same shift! Many are leaving around 4 and some are not arriving until 4!!

Sandra G
Mandy G
Heather G
Chris V & Jerry V
Mel B & Family
Tommy B & Sheena B
Natosha B & hubby
Ashley S & Lee S
Brandy P & Nicole P?
Karen M & Daughter
Lisa J & Daughter
Kathy L
Sara L
Jerry B
Brad B
Scott H

(let me know if you said you wanted to help and you aren't on this list!)

SERVICE POSITIONS:
Hostess/Host (stand outside the room and greet families WARMLY, check their reservations and find ready table)
Hot Food servers (must be adult)
Waitress/waiters (take orders from menus at each table, give orders to food servers, take plate to table, also serve dessert)
Drink servers (get drink orders, refill drinks, offer coffee)
Dishwashers (already filled this position)

WE ARE SETTING UP ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL AROUND 5 PM!!

UPDATED TUESDAY NOV 18!!

2008-11-13T07:40:00.001-08:00

UPDATE 11/17:
Now I hear that we MIGHT need dressing - I will know for sure on Friday morning, so please check back around lunchtime on Friday!! I am still concerned about how many volunteers we have...I am hoping we have enough that nobody will really have to stay the whole 4 hours!!!

CONTINUE DOWN TO THE FOOD LIST FOR WHAT WE STILL NEED!!!

UPDATE 11/16: So I had this idea...
Since about half of the patients will be unable to come down to our dinner, since they will be neutropenic or contagious, I have always tried to take things to their room. This year, a couple of us will go door to door for the ones who can't come, take their orders (and whoever is staying with them) and bring their dinner to their room. ALSO, to make it more special, a sweet friend of mine from church is donating fabric to make mini-tablecloths for their bed table, and another sweet friend from church is sewing the hems on the tablecloths. So when we bring their food to their room, we will pull their table to the door, put the tablecloth, a centerpiece and a nice Thanksgiving card from the kids at my church, along with their food and send it back to the family! How about that idea???! I am excited about just that part alone!!!

OK KEEP READING, UPDATED FOOD BELOW>>>

UPDATE 11/14: I forgot to mention that some VERY SPECIAL students provided us with 10 completed ChemoMoms baskets!!! They were completely filled with the suggested items and wrapped with a special card. I will confirm the exact class when I get back online so you will know who did such an AWESOME job for these families! Saying that, I probably won't need any basket supplies until the first of the year!!! THANK YOU!!!

If you would like to refer to last year's information, you can click here and here to see how it worked.

This year we will be setting reservations for the families in advance. It is hard to know which families will actually still be in the hospital and which ones will be discharged to avoid spending the day inpatient, but we will know by that Wednesday night approximately how many families we will serve. Last year we served dinner to around 12 groups, but some families were only 2 people, and some had 6 or more! I hope to get a more accurate count this year! The reason we are using the reservations is because last year everyone came around the same time and there weren't enough tables to serve them all. We want to seat one family per table only.

Thursday, November 27 - the Jubilee Room at USA Children's & Women's, the room is reserved from all day. The actual dinners should take place between 2 pm and 5 pm.

This is what I need donated:
FOOD:
6 TURKEYS ARE DONATED!
6 Pans of dressing are donated
sweet potato casserole - 3 pans donated - still need more!
green bean casserole - 2 pans donated
mashed potatoes - 2 pans donated - still need more (this ran out first last year)
cranberry sauce - done!
corn casserole
gravy - some jars donated
rolls
assorted pies, traditional Thanksgiving desserts - 4 sweet potato pies donated, 2 pecan pies donated, 7 layer cookie bars donated
any other sides that you think would be appropriate
sweet & unsweet tea (a few gallons) - 2 gallons donated - still need more
coffee - getting it from hospital
peanut oil - donated
6 bottles of Creole butter injector - available at Walmart click link to see the brand

DECORATIONS:
Thanksgiving table arrangements - pretty much all decorations are donated
table cloths in fall colors - all tablecloths are donated
any fall color candles/candleholders - all candles & candleholders are donated

DISHES:
Port City Rentals has GENEROUSLY donated 100 place settings and glasses/coffee cups - I know Sandy is happy about that! ha!
I forgot to add disposable dishes since we will be delivering some meals upstairs - but that has been donated now!

SERVERS:
SG
MG
HG
CV & JV
MB & Family
TB & SB
NB & hubby
AS & LS
BP & NP?
KM & Daughter
LJ

(let me know if you said you wanted to help and you aren't on this list!)

SERVICE POSITIONS:
Hostess/Host (stand outside the room and greet families WARMLY, check their reservations and find ready table)
Hot Food servers (must be adult)
Waitress/waiters (take orders from menus at each table, give orders to food servers, take plate to table, also serve dessert)
Drink servers (get drink orders, refill drinks, offer coffee)
Dishwashers (already filled this position)

I also need a couple of people, teen girls or women to help me put the names on the table placecards. We won't have the families' names until that Thurs morning. I plan to be at the hospital around 9 am to get the final list and fill the last reservations, so sometime mid-morning I could use this help.

WE ARE SETTING UP ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AROUND 5 PM!!

Other duties as needed...

Check back every day for updated information!

Thanksgiving Dinner Plans

2008-09-19T14:54:00.000-07:00

It seems so far away, but it's not! It is time to start planning our 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner for inpatient families. You can read about last year's Thanksgiving Dinner here.

I kept most of the decorations from last year, but it is not too early to start collecting promises of donations. I will probably get the turkeys again, but I definitely want folks to start thinking about what home-cooked food they would like to make a double batch of for that day. It is so nice to have home-cooked food ANYTIME you have been in the hospital for more than just one day! I remember the desserts were especially a hit with the families last year.

We will do things a little differently this year, specifically we will schedule times for the families to come, so they are not waiting in the hall until we have an available table. We served MANY families last year, and it will take a LOT of people volunteering again this year. I wouldn't be surprised if more families came this year, based on last year's success.

For those who are new to ChemoMoms, the reason I put so much emphasis on this holiday is because it is "forgotten". Of course the community supports those in the hospital during Christmas and even New Year's, but when you think of Thanksgiving, you think of family time together. When you are stuck in the hospital for that day, it can really depress you to think of your family over at Grandma's and Uncle Craig telling his "pull my finger" jokes without you!

The ChemoMoms Thanksgiving Dinner comes complete with candles, tablecloths, cloth napkins, REAL dishes, silverware and glasses, music and a family photo. We print a menu and volunteers take families' orders and serve them. We also have fresh coffee to go with the dessert. Last year the volunteers all received monogrammed aprons for their hard work.

If you are interested in bringing your family and spending a Thankful day serving others, this is a great ministry. Just showing love to those who can't change the fact that they are in a sad situation and need to be encouraged is the only requirement for the job! You can email me at chemomoms@yahoo.com or leave a comment if you would like me to contact you about helping.

With HOPE,
Tammy

News Coverage

2008-09-19T13:37:00.001-07:00

UPDATE: Here's the video!

WKRG.com Video

Please be sure to watch Channel 5 news tonight at 5 and 6 pm for a feature story on ChemoMoms of Mobile. Melissa and her son Jensen, a Neuroblastoma survivor, came to assist with raising awareness of ChemoMoms and Childhood Cancer. It should be a great piece and we hope to drum up support for this worthy cause. ChemoMoms was started to help families of kids newly diagnosed with cancer in the adjustment to their new life. It thrives on community support to provide the valuable resources that these families need and deserve. Check back if you miss the airing, we hope to have the video on this and other sites soon. Thank you for your continued support.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Day

2008-09-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

Please make sure to visit our caringbridge friends (link on the right) and let them know you are thinking about them on this special day of honor. It would be really nice for folks to leave some guestbook entries on those who are fighting this monster, and others who have completed their battle or have lost their earthly battle.

With HOPE for a cure for all our babies,
Tammy

Discouraged...

2008-09-10T19:36:00.000-07:00

I don't know why, but for some reason, folks don't seem concerned at all about childhood cancer awareness month. I am really frustrated that now we share the month with ovarian/gynecologic cancers. It is bad enough October is breast cancer awareness month, and all the stores are fully stocked with pink ribbons on everything in September, but now all the media is focused on ovarian and can't seem to fit childhood cancer into their schedule.

Don't get me wrong, a very good friend from my church is suffering from ovarian cancer right now, and I would love to see her beat it, but there are 12 months in the year! Surely they could have picked a different time of the year to focus on this type of cancer!!

So I am off that subject onto my local problems: Out of 70 emails I sent out, only 5 replied. That is the worst EVER response to my request for help. It makes me wonder if I am doing the right thing! Sometimes I feel like ChemoMoms is picking up speed, getting out there in the media, receiving donations, then times like now come along and everybody is just too busy with their own lives to slow down and realize there are people who AREN'T living the life they dreamed, because they are now sleeping on fold-out chairs and listening to IV pumps wake them every hour or so, waiting until the clock says it's time to jab a needle in their sweet baby's thigh. While we are all out at the neighbor's BBQ and sitting by the pool, some others are driving frantically to the ER in rush hour traffic while their child is vomiting in the backseat, running a 102 degree fever. I was just one of those thousands of parents and it wasn't that long ago. I remember the feelings I had and I just want to let these parents who are currently fighting for their child's life know that they are not alone! Maybe I am not using the right channels to get the information out there. I certainly can't pick up and move to a larger city where there is more awareness about childhood cancer. I live in Mobile and that is where cancer kids live!

If the response to a simple event like Movie Night is this poor, I probably won't take on a monster like Thanksgiving Dinner again. It is just too much for one or two people to do.

Without HOPE tonight.
Tammy

Movie Night Update

2008-09-10T10:46:00.000-07:00

I still am in need of much of the items listed below. I have the following door prizes available:

Movie Basket from LLS
Monogrammed Koozie & Keychain

I have someone donating a few boxes of candy and drinks.

I still need:

Shaved Ice syrup available from Mobile Popcorn (they will be closed on Saturday, so I will need to purchase these on Friday!)

Any other door prizes - DVDs (there is a new Barbie movie that just came out yesterday, $15, and The Last Mimzy has been marked down to $9 at WalMart); toys; fun T-shirts; anything kids will like

I do still need a few folks to help too! I have some maybe volunteers, but I need more definites!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Movie Night Is This Saturday!!

2008-09-08T12:23:00.000-07:00

So things are gearing up for this weekend. I am aware there is a little thunderstorm out there in the Gulf, but hopefully it won't have any effect on our event planned for this Saturday.

I am still in need of volunteers to help with the patients and their families that day. I also need the shaved ice syrups donated (4 different flavors) and some drinks and movie size candy.

I have received one donation of a Movie Night gift basket from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, so that is exciting! It will be our big door prize at the end of the night. If you or your business could make a donation, it would be greatly appreciated!

I am inviting the Hematology/Oncology Clinic as well, so we should have more participation this time. I am getting excited!!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C)

2008-09-05T14:05:00.000-07:00

Another mom wrote this and I have some of the same concerns, so I thought I would post it here for you to consider about this national cancer awareness program airing tonight:

********************************************************************

Written by a fellow cancer mom:

Here are the bullet points about SU2C that concern me....

I have been very vocal about doubting SU2C.
I'll try to summarize what several online friends, pediatric community organizations, and childhood cancer research groups are concerned about. Here are the bullet points of what worries us:

- In the beginning, SU2C had ZERO representation of childhood cancer. How can you be against Cancer and forget about the children who have it?

- Pediatric cancer is terribly underfunded in comparison to adult cancers - yet the SU2C telethon was placed in "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" - nullifying our attempts to have the month celebrate OUR KIDS, raising awareness of CHILDHOOD Cancer

- Now, there are slight signs of pediatric cancer being whispered about for SU2C - but none of the advertisements, press releases, or public appearances by the organizers have touched on the difference between funding research for adult vs. pediatric cancers. Pediatric cancers DO NOT benefit from Adult research - they are TOTALLY different

- We pediatric cancer parents are FED UP with seeing the faces of our children used to gather funds for adult research. The "Faces" of cancer for the Relay for Life fundraiser are often more than 75% children - when less than 1% of the funding goes toward pediatric projects.

- We fear they will use our children's faces and stories - then hand the money over to adults.

- We do not dispute that Breast, Lung, and Prostate cancers are far more prevalent than all Childhood Cancers combined. However, those adult cancers are well funded by the federal government and private industry. Pediatric cancer is not. If SU2C intends to pass out money based on the number of people who are likely to be diagnosed with a particular cancer, (the way the ACS does) - then only use ADULT stories, ADULT faces, ADULT sympathy. Leave
our children to those of us who care about them and who will work hard to raise money for them. DO NOT use our children to benefit adults. The adults don't need the help.

- If SU2C intends on only caring for adults - then they should acknowledge that they are purposefully forsaking children, and place any and all future telethons in a month far away from Childhood Cancer Awareness month. We respect the right of SU2C to raise money for the specific groups they wish to support. We DO NOT respect their use of children if the monies gathered are not allocated equal to the amount of time/percentage of use of the children. In other words, if you use kids for 30% of your stories, give 30% of the money to pediatric organizations. Its a simple equation. Or, ignore children, and let us raise our own funds, in our own month.

- Don't lump pediatric cancer in with adult cancer. They are vastly different beasts.

- Ultimately, it boils down to this: STOP using the struggles and losses of pediatric patients, who are fighting for the chance to live their lives, for the benefit of adults. STOP exploiting our children.
************************************************************

I personally have experienced some of these feelings so I thought I would put this out there to let others know that there IS a difference in adult cancer research and childhood cancer research. While I do believe that supporting ALL types of cancer research is very important, of course I am partial to making sure MY money and effort is for CHILDHOOD CANCER RESEARCH because we are directly affected by it.

I do know our local TV station has recently filmed at our children's hospital for a program to air just before this adult program, so hopefully other cities' stations are doing the same.

With HOPE,
Tammy

Movie Night At USA Children's & Women's

2008-09-04T10:41:00.001-07:00

I am still finalizing some details about Movie Night, but I wanted to give you something to start with. You will see other information in my September 2oo7 folder too.

Saturday, September 13 is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day.

The Movie Night will be held in the Jubilee Room in the afternoon. We will have popcorn, with a real live popcorn cart, shaved ice *the parents seem to really enjoy this!* and door prizes. I am thinking we might add face painting too, if we can get someone to do that. If you or your group or Sunday School class want to help, you can either volunteer the time on Saturday OR you can donate the items needed:

at least 4 colors of shaved ice syrup available at Mobile Popcorn

door prizes (new items to give away, or gift cards to use at movie rental stores or movie theaters)

movie size box candy (available at Dollar Tree stores)

canned drinks (using canned drinks avoids any contamination problems with ice)

And as always, you can send money via Paypal to allow the purchase of these items.

More information will be coming!

With HOPE,
Tammy

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!!!

2008-09-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

Hey all! Sorry for the absence, life has been busy around here!

Welcome to September! Our month is finally here! I have been working on some things (quietly) and still have some details to finalize, but I wanted to remind you to do what you can to spread the word about Childhood Cancer and Gold Ribbons.

September 13 was chosen by President Bush as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Day, so we are hosting a Movie Night at the USA Children's & Women's Hospital on that day. We will watch a movie (I think it is "College Road Trip"), have snowcones, popcorn and candy, along with some fun door prizes and balloons for all! The movie will take place in the Jubilee Room this year, because we just ran out of room in the other playroom. I will update more as I determine what is needed in the way of donations.

Since we have 2 childhood cancer survivors at my daughter's school, and I just happen to be on the PTO board, we will have gold ribbons decorating our school campus this month! I planned to put them up this weekend, but Hurricane Gustav had other ideas, so hopefully we will get those ribbons up in the next day or so. I will be sure to post the pictures!

Another thing we are doing is called "Coins for Kids". In September, our students will be bringing in their spare change to donate to the USA CWH specifically for cancer kids. For each day's donation, the students will receive a gold ribbon sticker they can proudly wear. At the end of the week, we will be sure to let the students know how much they raised and probably elect someone to give the money to the hospital. I know I was so excited that our school agreed to do this!!

I hope to have more information soon!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Running Low on Basket Supplies!

2008-07-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Hello all you out there in Internet-Land! :D
Last week I had the opportunity to meet a new friend here at the hospital. His name is Taylor and he was in the hospital getting chemo. SUPER cute and SUPER sweet! I gave his Nana my card and had a chance to talk with her for a few minutes. I hope they made sure she got a basket before he was discharged! (I took 3 more with me that day)

Speaking of baskets....

My stock is LOOOOWW - if it had not been for two faithful friends who remember me always, I would not have the main things I needed for the baskets last week!

I am going to list out the items here that I am completely out of, then I will list the items that are getting low:

COMPLETELY OUT OF:
Toothbrush/toothpaste

(you can get a kit with Crest at the Dollar Tree)

Chapstick

(please make sure it has a seal on it)

2008 or 2008/2009 Calendar
Address book

Microwave Popcorn

Microwave Meal

(Hormel makes very tasty ones for about $1.75 each)

Digital Thermometer

(WalMart now has them for about $4 in Health & Beauty)

Mints/gum

(preferably minty flavors for sleeping moms when Dr. comes in early)

Thank You notes

(again, my favorite store, Dollar Tree has cute ones!)

Lysol sanitizing wipes

(needs to say "ANTIBACTERIAL", "kills 99.9% of germs")

GETTING LOW ON:
Hand lotion (purse size)
Emery boards (kind that has a wrapper are best)
Body wash (travel size)
Pen

If the hospital called today and asked for a basket, I don't have enough to put together ONE complete basket. Thankfully I dropped off 3, but I have a feeling they haven't had any for a while, so they could possibly deliver all 3 in just a matter of a week.

I had some ideas about how YOU could help get these items.

* If you work and have a breakroom/snackroom, maybe set up a jar for spare change near the coke machine, people could drop their quarters in there. Do it for a week and probably get a few dollars.

*Pass around an envelope asking for anonymous donations. Make sure you put your name on the envelope so it will be returned to you. You can also put my blog website on there so they will see how the donation will help.

*One day at lunch, ask your friends when they are leaving their tip if they would also like to put a dollar towards the purchase of these items. As you can see from the list, many items only cost $1 or less.

*Ask your Sunday School class to have a "Digital Thermometer Drive". Ask them to bring as many Digital Thermometers as they can collect in a week. Better yet, challenge another Sunday School Class, even the whole department! Have a table or large storage container in a central location and ask folks to drop them in during the assembly time. Imagine how many thermometers could be collected in that one day!!!

*Talk to your Bible Study group about providing the items to fill a whole basket.

These baskets cost approximately $24.80 (back when I started this last year). I am sure the cost of everything has increased with the gas, but $25 is still a fair estimate if you shop around for nice but cheap items. Buying in bulk is helpful too. I received a box of notebooks after the school supply clearance last year and I am still using that box! I also received several boxes of purse size hand sanitizer during that clearance and I still have one of the boxes of 6 bottles! Keep your eyes peeled for good deals!!! :D

With HOPE,
Tammy

Back home....

2008-07-14T20:04:00.001-07:00

As soon as the party was over, we headed for the annual family vacation at Gulf Shores. We had a great time and the kids are nice and BROWN. We got home on Saturday and later that night, both kids were sick! Bryant is fine now and Colette had to go to the ped today to get antibiotics for an ear infection! But it is so nice to be back to "normal".

So I kept a copy of the newspaper article to show at the family reunion. Did anyone else see it? Does anyone have a copy I can have? I wanted to put one up at church, but I only have the one copy. It was in Saturday, July 5, on the front page of the Metro section. I have noticed several new locations on the blog so I hope something good comes from this media attention!!

The party was wonderful! I had so many helpers, it was really a busy time, but I didn't feel stressed about ANY aspect of it. Thank you to all of you who came and spent your evening figuring out what I needed done! ha! Believe me, I am learning what *not* to do with every event! I think it went well and I hope you will want to come back for another event!!!

I hope to have the photos uploaded in the next day or so. I did get photo releases on each child there, so I finally get to post the pics of our decorations and helpers!! If you were there and took photos, please email them to me so I can add yours to the album. My email is chemomoms@yahoo.com.

I think the kids (and parents) favorite part was the shave ice machine. Once the party was winding down and some clean up started, several of us loaded up 2 carts with all the extra burgers, chicken, chips and cokes and took them to the 4th floor. There were many parents who were unable to leave their child, so this is what I try to do to make ChemoMoms different. We pushed our carts down the hall, knocking on the doors and bringing the party to them! We took the balloons from the cafeteria and gave them to the kids, along with beanie babies provided by Child Life. The parents were (as usual) surprised that we offered the treats to them too. They would hesitate until we reassured them that it was for them too, and then you could see the expressions on their faces...I can't explain it, but I know how it feels. :D

The funny part was how many parents wanted snow cones! What is up with that? I am the same way! I always want a banana snow cone if I can get one. Maybe because we are all kids at heart! I will try to include the shave ice machine again in the next event, which will probably be a Movie Night in September.

Which leads me to the next big deal: September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Last year I made metallic gold stickers and passed them around my community. I also made real gold ribbon lapel pins (with the tie tack backs). This year I would like to sell them online to raise money for ChemoMoms. I scrapbook so I just used some of my tools at home and made gold ribbon stickers that were great to use on MANY things I mailed out last year. I just passed out the lapel pins (but they did take a lot of time and effort). I will try to get some pics of them and see if anyone is interested in buying them. I already have an order (thanks Megan!) that I will be shipping to Indiana when Megan holds her Alex's Lemonade Stand (which raises money for childhood cancer research).

I am also going to hit the hospital HARD to try to get them to raise gold ribbons all around the campus. I have some ribbon already (Hobby Lobby already has CHRISTMAS decorations!) so it is VERY easy to locate wide, wire-edged ribbon. Hopefully I can use the contacts I have at WKRG and the paper to get Mobile in on the "secret" about September!!!

The Movie Night is also in the works. I did one last year and it is MUCH less hassle than July 4th. Just have some popcorn, maybe the shave ice again, and play a newly released, family friendly movie and it is great.

Another dream I have is to have a luncheon for the hem/onc doctors, nurses and staff during the month to thank them for their tireless efforts and honor them for all they do. Maybe someone in the catering/restaurant business would like to help me do this. Of course, all donations are directed to USA Children's & Women's, so it would definitely be a charitable contribution to the hospital. I just get the idea going and do the legwork.

Let me know what you think about these ideas...I want to do more than just the one movie night this year.

With HOPE,
Tammy

T-I-R-E-D!!!

2008-07-04T20:12:00.000-07:00

Here is the news video from earlier today...I will update more later...check your newspaper tomorrow (we don't know what section)

WKRG.com Video

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

2008-07-04T07:14:00.000-07:00

I just checked my computer (in between loading the van and getting Miss Priss dressed) and found that we DO HAVE ENOUGH MONEY for the burgers!!!! (and a little extra to cover any other last minute items)

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR GIVING FOR THESE FAMILIES!

Don't forget to watch Channel 5 local TONIGHT (wkrg.com for the out-of-towners) and check the newspaper in the next day or so (al.com) for the write-up about tonight!

If you wanted to make a donation but have not, you are more than welcome to do so. I am taking a basket with me to meet the reporter today, hopefully that will get some airtime and all money I receive during the year goes to pay for the baskets and any special requests by inpatient parents that I can help with.

Please continue to keep up with the information I post here, September - Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is coming up and it is time to start planning that!!!

With HOPE AND HAPPINESS,
Tammy

Thursday Update

2008-07-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

Wow - these past 2 days have been so hectic and stressful! This is when I REALLY wish I wasn't the only ChemoMom in ChemoMoms of Mobile!!! :D

I think I have put about $50 in gas in my little car with bad A/C just to save money on all the driving I have been doing! I made a huge circle today, starting out going to West Mobile, then down to the hospital and finally by Brookley then back home. I think bad air conditioning just makes you tired=er - if that's a word!

I visited the cafeteria and got a feel for where the manager wants us to be - I'm not real crazy about it, but we will make the best of it. I thought we would use an hour to decorate, it make take more time because it is going to be pretty difficult and we will have to do some figuring. Also, the elevator into the cafeteria is broken, so anyone who has an IV will have to walk outside to come in the side door (with their nurse, of course).

But I did get a crash course in running the popcorn cart, and I pulled it up to the Treehouse until then. It takes some effort to move that thing! I also dropped off the flyers to be passed out.

The biggest news of the day is that BOTH the newspaper AND the TV reporters will be there tomorrow night! This will be the first official "ChemoMoms" event they have attended! This is my 4th event, but I never had the media involved. There was a TON of red tape and lots of rules to follow to allow this to happen, but I think the hospital will get some good press and hopefully I will finally get some community support? Prior to this event, my church family has really been my only volunteers. This time my Gulf Coast Tres Dias community has stepped in and really makes up most of the volunteers for tomorrow night. Yay!!

We were not able to get cheeseburgers donated...they officially want 2 weeks advance notice, and I didn't have the letter then, so I will know next time. Therefore I am going to have to BUY 40 cheeseburgers/hamburgers. I received a $10 donation last night from a lady at church and that paid for the popcorn and oil I bought, so hopefully someone will help with the $40 we will need to pay for the burgers. Thankfully everything else has been provided!!

We DID get a donation from Chick-Fil-A of 2 trays of nuggets, so that will really help out in the food. The reason I still want the burgers is mainly for the parents who aren't able to come because their child is sick or too little. I get to go door-to-door and greet the parents and actually give THEM a drink and a burger. That is the main reason I do ChemoMoms - for the PARENTS.

If you are planning to bring your children when you help tomorrow night, please try to feed them before they get to the hospital. We will have PLENTY of snow cones and popcorn, but I don't really know how we are going to stretch the chicken and burgers. I know my own children will be tempted to get into the nuggets, but I want to make sure the kids from the hospital get theirs. At the end of the night, we will certainly give away the extras!

Tonight I am going to call everyone that I know has volunteered. If you don't get a phone call from me, please call me because I might not remember everyone! Thanks so much!

With HOPE,
Tammy 406-5820 (cell)

Wednesday morning update

2008-07-02T09:08:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to let you know there may be an article in the local paper about the party! Yippee!

Also, we have a good number of folks planning to come, but I am still hoping at least one or two small donations will reach the paypal account. There is always something we forget at the last minute and it would be nice not to be worrying about where that money would come from!

Thanks so much to all of you who have donated the items and committed your family's time on Friday night to serving these families who can't enjoy the holiday at home with their loved ones. When they leave on Friday night and go back upstairs to their rooms, I hope they feel like they have been with family and just feel loved and full of hope!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Tuesday Update

2008-07-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to tell you all what I got accomplished today:

Since our face painting lady can't come, I was on the hunt for tattoos...walked into the Target Dollar Spot and guess what they had? GLITTER PATRIOTIC TATTOOS!! The best part? HALF PRICE!! So I got 4 packs for $2!! YAY!

Went to Hobby Lobby, looking for some other cheap craft ideas, since a couple of my prior crafts won't work this year...got some stuff, got in line, used my tax exempt card and the manager came over to approve it. Well I forgot my letter to ask for donations, and he said they do that through corporate, but I asked if he thought it could be approved by this Friday, and he asked me what I wanted and I just named a couple of things and he said GO AHEAD! WHOOO HOO!!

Went to Mobile Popcorn and picked up popcorn and stuff for the popcorn cart that the hospital is letting us use.

OH YEAH - THE BEST NEWS OF THE DAY IS::::
WE GET TO HAVE THE PARTY IN THE CAFETERIA!!!! YYYYAAAAAAYYYY!!! This is good for several reasons:
1) loading and unloading from our vehicles will be a snap
2) spill blue snowcone? NO PROBLEM!
3) kids can see the night sky and feel "outside" more...(floor to ceiling windows)
4) more room to do the crafts and allow the parents to hang out too!
5) the hospital won't be inundated with the smell of popcorn, just in case of any burning smell...
6) the shave ice machine is noisy

SO hooray! Everything is working out great! And we have several adults (and some teens) coming so it is going to be MUCH more organized than last year. I will still need to get a couple more things...we are still nailing down the items for the crafts and will need a few more cases of cokes, so if someone still wants to help out, it is not too late!!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Getting CLOSE

2008-07-01T05:31:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to remind you that if you wanted to make a monetary donation, please do so before Thursday. I have only received enough money to buy the balloons and still need either the craft items or money to buy the craft items between today and Thursday.

I am headed out to Hobby Lobby this morning, and then on to McDonald's. I just pray that I speak with the right person who has a soft-heart for this sort of thing and they are willing to help. I know God can touch their heart and cause them to give beyond my expectation. I pray He will lead me to them!

The pony beads and cut-out stars are (hopefully she could find them) being bought, but I still need the other items on the list. I guess we used most of the craft supplies last year, but thankfully I have ALL the decorations (minus the balloons)!

Please mention the party to anyone you might work with or maybe tomorrow night at church. If I had $50 total, I think that would take care of everything except the hamburgers. If I had $100, I could take care of the hamburgers too (just in case)!

Thanks for spreading the word!
With HOPE,
Tammy

It's Getting Closer!!!

2008-06-28T11:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for your phone calls and for forwarding the emails. As of last night, I officially have enough watermelons and cokes!!

I am also up to approx 11 people (including teens) so I could still use more hands but yay!

As mentioned in the earlier post, I am dividing up the duties so each person or pair will have a specific job they will be responsible for.

NOW for crafts...
I pulled out the decorations and crafts left over from last year and here is what I need:

--patriotic treat bags
--cardstock stars - dollar tree has a bag of these in their school supply section...we make "magic wands" out of 2 of these stars each
--patriotic ribbon - be found in scrapbook section or just red/white & blue for magic wands
--pony beads in red, white and blue - there should be a package of these in the holiday craft section, they have stars and regular beads too. I have the stringing material for bracelets or whatever...
--some metallic bendy garland - this is to decorate IV poles - just make sure they don't have words on them (like Happy Birthday) or Christmas trees...you get the idea
--foamies bucket of patriotic shapes
--stiff felt sheets in red/blue/white or black

I AM going to Hobby Lobby to ask for any of these as donations. I received the letter from the hospital plus I have a tax-exempt card at HL so hopefully this will take care of itself, but if not I can purchase these items with money that folks plan to donate.

Keep checking for more information...
WITH HOPE AND EXCITEMENT!
Tammy

Still In Need of HELP!!!

2008-06-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

Yay - the blog has had a great number of hits since I started asking for help with the July 4th Party; however only a faithful few have actually committed to making a donation or helping withe party!

I am still in need of the following things to make this party happen!!!

WATERMELONS
COKES
PATRIOTIC DESIGNED TREAT BAGS

MOST IMPORTANT: ACTUAL PEOPLE TO HELP!

We have been loaned a popcorn cart to use, so we need 1-2 people to man that, 1-2 people to handle the shave ice machine, 1 for tattoos, 1 for spin art, 1 for beading, 1 for watermelon and burgers, 1 for drinks, 1 for another craft - basically at LEAST 10 people and I have a grand total of only 5 committed!!!!!! Where is everyone?!! :D

Feel free to call my cell: 251-406-5820 if you want more information about what is needed.

Also, if you are out of town but want to help, you can make a small donation (even $10 would help at this point) by going to Paypal (click the link on the right side of the screen). You can enter any dollar amount you would like to give.

Remember, you are probably looking so forward to your holiday and vacation plans this summer, but there are moms and dads who are right now worried their child might get stuck in the hospital with either a fever or chemo or some treatment between now and then and they won't get to enjoy their plans. Can't we help them have a nice surprise with good food and nice smiling people?

With HOPE,
Tammy

July 4th Party Update!! UPDATE 6/23 PM

2008-06-21T12:43:00.000-07:00

Wow, I am just a blogging maniac these days! ha!

I wanted to update you all on the party scheduled for July 4 at USA Children's & Women's Hospital in Mobile.
ALSO: If you want to send money, you are welcome to do so via paypal ---------------------------------------------------------------------------->>>
Thanks for your help!

I think I have enough actual people for that event, but I can always use more hands...makes things go smoother, and a shave ice machine has been donated for that night! Update: Someone is sick and can't come help as planned...still need a few more adults....

These are the things I still need to be donated:

**Watermelons (2 red seedless would be best)
Snow cone flavors - the ones at Walmart aren't that good for this kind of ice, we need the kind from Mobile Popcorn that costs around $4 a bottle. Blue, red (tiger's blood or strawberry) and yellow are the main colors I want to stick with. I can get the pourers myself. TAKEN CARE OF!
**12-pks of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper - we will need about 6 12-pks all together
**patriotic designed treat bags - some of the kids won't be able to come to the party, so we will put together little craft kits for those kids
money to purchase 25 stars & stripes balloons from Dollar Tree the morning of the party ($25)These are taken care of! Thank you!!

I intend to ask a local McDonald's franchise for help with donating some cheeseburgers/hamburgers for that night. That will probably be within the next week. If anyone has any "contacts" in that area, please email me!!

I will go through the patriotic crafts we made last year and see what I have enough of. I might need some additional items there, I hope I still have a bunch left over. If I see we need more, I will update here.

So far, I have the help from Cristy D. & family, my 3 in my family, possibly Stacy S., maybe some of my in-laws who will be in town from SC, but these are not definite. If you want to come and put some tattoos on kids' faces, please feel free to contact me, I have never had too much help!!!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Give Kids the World gets a sponsor!!!

2008-06-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

Most kids who take their wish trips to Disney World or one of those places in Orlando usually get to stay at Give Kids The World. We did and it was FANTASTIC!!! You can only stay there once in your life, but you can always go back and volunteer to work there...it is an all-inclusive resort for sick kids and their families. The guy who started it was upset when a friend of his had a daughter who was dying and it was her wish to see Mickey Mouse. She didn't live long enough for all the arrangements to be made and he vowed he would make a place for kids like her so they could come at a moment's notice.

There is much to know about Give Kids The World, but I will just refer you to their website: www.gktw.org

ANYWAY...I just found out today that My Little Pony is teaming up to raise money for Give Kids The World...follow this link: 'My Little Pony' gets star treatment for charity

Yay!
PS: Still need donations to make the July 4th party possible!!!

4th of July Party is Here!!!

2008-06-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

I know it seems I have been missing in action, but no, I have just been busy and have neglected this blog for a while....my apologies.

The good news is I am back and it is time to ask for help with the 4th of July Party we started last year! I still have the majority of the decorations and some of the craft stuff, but I REALLY need PEOPLE the most! Some of you have helped with ChemoMoms stuff at the hospital in the past and if you are interested, I could seriously use your help on July 4. We originally planned to be at the beach on July 3, but since we are going with a large group, we had to adjust our plans and we will actually be in Mobile on July 4. So.....who wants to help?

I will get a donation letter again from the hospital so I can request donations from businesses that can use the non-profit status of the hospital, since that is who they are donating to. I need your ideas too! I am planning to contact a McDonald's for donations of cheeseburgers and hamburgers, and I think we should get in touch with an ice cream place, also McAlister's for some sweet tea and maybe Jimmy Lowe's for some watermelon...anything else you can think of please email me!!!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Great Way to Help Improve Cancer Treatment!

2008-04-15T11:23:00.000-07:00

I have been a registered user on iGive for a couple of months and thought I should use this blog to let you know about this awesome group.

There is a group of parents whose children have been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma who have joined together to raise money to humanize a really effective treatment currently in use in New York. The main drawback of this treatment is that it is created using mouse genes, and humans develop a resistance to this and the treatment cannot continue. But it has been found to greatly improve success in NB kids. They only need $2 million to make this a human form of treatment and that will remove the risk of resistance, meaning more kids will be able to use the treatment. I am sure I am leaving out a bunch of details in this, but you can search for it on the Band Of Parents website.

When you register with iGive, every time you purchase something online from over 600 retailers they partner with, a donation will be made to your charity. I registered with iGive, and everytime I pull up ebay or bluefly or babiesrus, the list goes on and on...I get a little pop up window that says this retailer participates in the iGive program and it lists the percentage of your purchase they will donate. What an EASY way to raise money! But it takes many people registering with this program in order to be successful. Some donations are only 2 percent, so it takes a lot of folks (who are probably already shopping online).

Go to Band of Parents website or iGive for more information or to sign up. If you follow the iGive link on Band of Parents' site, it already has their charity information filled in for you. It is very simple and you might even forget about it after you sign up, but if you ever just browse on a website and see the window, you will know that whatever you purchase will go to help save more children's lives!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Look! A New Post!!

2008-04-07T12:34:00.000-07:00

Okay, so after another mom has expressed her concern over this blog, I am updating it! Happy, Melissa? ha!
There are several kids in the area who need some encouragement these days. I will give you the links and you can check out their websites to see what's been going on with them.
Jensen: Just had his tumor resection (removal) today and it is his 3rd birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENSEN!
Emma: Was in the hospital for a little while with a fever, but she is back on track with getting her chemo
Angel Stash: His mom and dad just moved to a new house, I know it was hard and she also organized a blood drive in his memory!

As for ChemoMoms, I have continued to take the baskets to the hospital. It seems there are more kids being diagnosed with this nightmare lately. Unfortunately we are out of storage space so they can only keep 3 baskets at a time. It is a little difficult to contact the social worker since she is so busy, so sometimes they might go have a period with no baskets, but hopefully that will get better.
Keep your eyes open for an upcoming Movie Night. There are a few DVDs out now that I think will be good for the kids, so we will probably be doing that soon. Also, I am already planning out the July 4th party. Unfortunately our family vacation begins on July 3, so I won't be able to be at the party, but I think the folks I have in mind will be able to handle the party this year. I am still going to set it all up, but just not be at the party itself.
I have 6 more bracelets to take to the hospital tomorrow. Hopefully they will sell quickly and I can turn that money into more bracelets and more baskets!
Don't think about this too hard, but it is time to start planning for SEPTEMBER - CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. I hope to get the ball rolling at the hospital in the next month or so - I REALLY want lots of Gold Ribbons around town in September.

Fundraiser for ChemoMoms!!!

2008-03-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine who lives out of state is hosting an "eShow" of Usborne Books. Check out her website below and see if there are any books or games you might want to purchase. She is donating a portion of her sales to ChemoMoms!!!

THANK YOU KELLIE!
*****************************************
You are invited to an Usborne Books eShow to explore the world of Usborne Books. A child's interest in reading and learning is stimulated by the lavish illustrations and informative content. There are over 1300 bright, colorful and fun titles covering activities, puzzles and a wide range of subjects for children of all ages.

Usborne Books - the books kids love to read!

Hosted by: Kellie Brown
Place: www.ubah.com/HOS110600
When: Today thru 3/23/2008 11:59:00 PM
Chat Scheduled: -

Everyone is welcome, so invite a friend.

It's a rewarding experience when a child opens a book and discovers the magic of reading. =

Please check out the site. There are lots of great books for all ages! They have great science and history encyclopedias as well as books w/CD. As a new Usborne consultant my "incentive" period ends with the close of this show. I am donating 25% of free books earned from this show to a cancer "ChemoMom" support group in Mobile, AL. Thanks for your support! Pass it along to a friend. Blessings, Kellie

Hello Thursday!

2008-02-21T05:38:00.000-08:00

Hi there. I am glad you found me.
I have not received any financial donations in a while, so I am asking if you want something to go directly to a certain mom, please type her name in while making a donation through Paypal. I receive the money immediately and I can go and purchase something for her the same day!

I am thinking Jensen's mom would really go for a salad from Olive Garden, especially since last month when no one was able to take her one. I can do it tomorrow, Friday, or on Saturday. Or both! :D

If you would like me to purchase something else for her, please let me know. I keep a supply of items used in the ChemoMoms baskets so I may create another little goody bag with hand sanitizer, lotion, chapstick, etc. just to have a "Thinking of You" gift to take her. Or, if anyone knows her favorite Bath & Body Works scent, I could pick up something there. I am more than willing to do anything for her. And I will make sure she knows who it's from - I am just the messenger!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Curing Childhood Cancer Tags

2008-02-02T12:59:00.000-08:00

Did you know that anyone in the state of Alabama can purchase a Curing Childhood Cancer car tag when you renew your tag???

That's right - there is a tag available that costs an additional $50, but you can personalize it for nothing extra or take a random numbered one on the spot. Out of the $50 fee, $41.25 goes to Colette's doctor's office in Birmingham, UAB Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, located in Children's Hospital.

What if some of the folks who pay the $50 fee just to have their vehicle personalized actually chose a cancer tag instead? When Deidre Downs was Miss America, she promoted the tags since her platform was curing childhood cancer. She worked closely with Birmingham's Dan Sims, father of leukemia patient Janie Sims, who passed away a few years ago. Dan even provided gifts for Colette when she was in stem cell for Christmas 2005. I am proud to know another parent who was so driven to help other area kids, he created the Janie Sims Foundation and provided the whole parent lounge on 4 Tower at Children's.

So here is the deal - PLEASE tell your family and friends that they can REALLY help Colette and other children from around the state by purchasing the tag when they renew. You don't have to get it personalized, one we did and one we didn't. The first one we bought said CLTTE and that is the special one to me. You don't see a lot of folks in Mobile with these tags and that makes me sad!! When you go to Birmingham, you see TONS AND TONS - that was a game we played when we drove up the parking deck going to the hospital. We counted over 30 cars with the tags as we drove up the different levels. If you buy one, please let me know - Colette would like to send you a little gift for your thoughtfulness!

With HOPE,
Tammy

^Stash^

2008-01-18T09:55:00.000-08:00

Another sweet baby has lost his battle against cancer here on earth - Stash Phillips

Please visit his caringbridge site to leave some encouragement for his family. They will have to adjust to their new life and I can't even pretend to know how they feel right now. Just telling them that people are praying for them and showing their encouragement is probably all we can do at this time.

With HOPE,
Tammy

What a Great Holiday!

2007-12-27T07:45:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great holiday - we did! Having been through cancer treatment only solidifies the importance of a holiday like Christmas - love, sacrifice, humility, faith and HOPE.

Fortunately, the little 2 yr old girl was able to go home on the night before I was to take the tree, so she could be home for Christmas and come back afterwards. So I still have a raspberry Christmas tree. BUT, other things happened. Stash's mom bought some gifts from her own money and wanted to take them to the kids, so I met her on Saturday morning and we passed out a wagon-full of gifts. Afterwards I took her to Spot of Tea since she had never been and it's such a girly place! We talked and had a few laughs. I think it was good for her and I was happy I was able to do it for her.

On Friday, I was able to meet with Jensen's mom. We talked for a while and it brought back a lot of memories for me, sitting in the room, the chemo smells, etc. It has been 2 years since Colette had chemo, but it is something you never forget. His mom set up a caringbridge site so go and leave them some encouragement!

I am also waiting to hear from the hospital when the little girl is able to have visitors again. I received some donated Christmas gifts for her (she is a cutie!) and I want to take them to her after her surgery.

With HOPE,
Tammy

Can't Wait!

2007-12-21T06:38:00.001-08:00

I had breakfast with some very sweet friends of mine yesterday and told them about the tree. One was able to give me $10 towards some decorations. That donation, plus the donation from my super sweet helpful loving friend in Indiana - MEGAN - is all I have received for the tree, so I am going to try to make some stuff here at home. I can't show up with this awesome tree and only 10 ornaments on it!!! :o

I might even try to myspace all my youth at church to see if they can bring an ornament tonight to the Christmas party. It might be short notice, but it won't hurt to try!

So there are potentially 2 kids in Mobile with neuroblastoma now. A little boy and the little girl that we are doing the tree for. They are both 2 years old, that is the most common age for this type of cancer to appear. I am going to visit them today. I am going to take his mom a bracelet (see upper right side of this page). Pray he will be home for Christmas.

The little girl is the one we are doing the tree for. She will definitely be in the hospital for Christmas. I hope to meet that mom today as well. But I am saving a big surprise for them. I will update more on that later.

It's not too late if you want to paypal any money or just call me to pick up some ornaments. I plan to take it to the hospital tomorrow morning.

With HOPE,
Tammy

35 hits on the blog...

2007-12-20T05:19:00.000-08:00

And I have only heard from one person. A lot of times, people (myself included) think, "Oh she will get plenty of responses, after all it is Christmas and who wouldn't want to help a baby in the hospital?" So no one emails or responds because they assume there will be plenty of help. Well that is not the case this time (nor is it usually!)

So here's the tree with no decorations. The color I asked for was strawberry, the color I got was RASPBERRY! haha It's ok, she is 2, but she will get older and then she will really love this color! (I hope! I can't wait to see their faces when I take this to the hospital! I will probably take it tomorrow, Friday.

Here's HOPING the tree won't be naked, :D
Tammy

ChemoMoms Needs Your Help!

2007-12-19T08:19:00.000-08:00

Sorry for not posting sooner, but things have been hectic, the typical busy around the holidays.

When Colette was in stem cell 2 years ago, for Christmas, I picked up the cutest hot pink Christmas tree and ornaments. We still put it up each year and I try to add a few ornaments each year. Recently my brother was in Birmingham, and went to the store where I bought Colette's and they had one left in the box. He picked it up and I have been waiting to hear from the hospital if anyone would need it this year. Well I just heard today.

There is a 2-yr old little girl in the hospital for Christmas in Mobile! She is still waiting on a diagnosis, but they called me knowing I had the tree available. We all hoped NO ONE would be in the hospital for this holiday...so here is what I need your help with:

I need ornaments for the tree! The tree is only about 3 feet tall, so the ornaments need to be PLASTIC, SMALL and preferably things like Dora, My Little Pony, or Disney Princess. WalMart and Target usually carry the packs of 5 mini ornaments for around $7. I am going to pick up a white mini boa to use as garland, and I think I have a star. I also need WHITE LIGHTS. We just used our last set outside since our chasing lights died last year!

If this is something you would like to help with, please email me or respond to this post - we are on a time frame, so I would LOVE to bring it to her as soon as possible.

Also, another little boy in Mobile has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma. I am going to visit with his mom in the next day or so. She already received a basket, but I am going to take a lapghan to her when I go. I don't know if I have mentioned this, but a sweet lady named Rebecca has handmade mini-afghans for the moms in the hospital. They are a perfect size for sitting in the infusion room, doctor's office, or just being cozy at the hospital. They were prayed over with every stitch. They are so special and so soft!! I have already delivered one to a mom that I met at Thanksgiving. I think I am going to wrap this one in Christmas paper and let her open it.

I am also trying to come up with something special to do on Christmas Eve. I mean, how many folks will actually get visitors on Christmas Eve? It would be so cool to drop by and either give a card, or maybe I will take a bracelet to the moms who are stuck in the hospital on that special family holiday. I don't think there will be many though. I think it is one of the worst times of the year to be in the hospital, cancer or not.

Well, I've got lots to do! Let me know if you have any of those little ornaments or can pick up a pack of them. I will be happy to pick them up from anywhere in Mobile!

With HOPE,
Tammy

I am back!!!

2007-12-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy since Thanksgiving! sorry I haven't updated before now!! Thanksgiving was awesome! I had so many helpers, it was such a blur! We served 11 families at tables, plus about 10 or so came down to take a plate back to their room. I was so excited that so many people came! We also learned a few more lessons about planning...that's ok, though! I am just so thankful for all the helpers I had!!!

I still have pictures to put up, but I had some exciting news first:

I have Gift Certificates to All About Hair & Tanz, a local hair salon in Tillman's Corner. My hair stylist is donating a portion of the gift certificates to ChemoMoms!!! So for only 60 dollars, this is what you get:

Design Cut & Style

Face Framing Highlights or up to 10 foils

Eyebrow Shaping

Deep Conditioning Treatment

All together this would cost $105. (I know this for a fact - that is why I still have gray hairs!) But just until Christmas you can buy a gift certificate for $60. Then you can call and set up your appointments any time in the next year. The appointments can be broken up, not all in the same day. This is a GREAT price and a really good gift idea. I even thought about getting a couple donated to certain moms in the hospital. You NEVER have time to take care of yourself when your child is constantly in the hospital!

I already sold one today at lunch! The stylist is really friendly and a good stylist. I have been using her since she started there, which was back around April. She has been good to me by occasionally helping me out with squeezing me in, or giving me a little extra for the money, if that makes sense! So I am excited to get to tell everyone about her donating to ChemoMoms!

If you are interested in buying a gift certificate, email me or leave a comment. If you would be interested in purchasing one as a gift for a mom, email me. I am not doing anything massive for the local hospital since so many groups come out to help at this time of year. I will probably plan something for January 08.

Oh yes, today is my daughter's 2nd transplant anniversary. That makes her at +730 days. Praise the Lord!

With HOPE,
Tammy

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

2007-11-22T05:16:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to take a minute to tell you all that I am thankful for you. If you are here, reading this page, then I am thankful that you care enough to see what it's about.

I am also thankful that my child is not in the hospital, we are not in another city to be near the hospital, and that she is going to be running and playing with her cousins in a few hours, with the hours of chemo and hundreds of needle sticks FAR AWAY from her memory. Instead, she is going to be arguing over who is Cinderella, which one is getting the white purse, and who is going to dance with Prince Charming (her cousin Matthew)!

That is my number one on my Thankful list.

I do have another special prayer request: Stash Phillips is a 12-yr old from Semmes. He had a brain tumor, had it removed, etc at St. Jude and was in remission for 9 months until August 07, when another type of brain tumor came back. Instead of aggressively treating it, St. Jude sent him home since he cannot have another brain surgery and his options were very few. Since then, he has been getting a mild treatment at USA CWH (the local hospital) but has been getting really bad headaches. His mom took him to St. Jude earlier this week because the recent CT shows the tumor is not responding and also is getting bigger. So his mom is dealing with not only being in Memphis for the holiday, but also getting some pretty devastating news on the holiday. Please lift the PHILLIPS family up in your prayers. His website is here: Stash

That sorta depresses me, but at the same time, it is families like Stash's that I am doing this dinner for today! I met another mom yesterday, and an older patient too. I told him he could call ChemoMoms himself if he knew his mom was having a bad day and needed some encouragement. He & I planned to send his mom some flowers - he said her favorite color is blue. I went to Target yesterday, but I didn't have enough money on me to get the big blue/purple bouquet, so I have to wait until 3 weeks from now when he goes back in the hospital. I plan to take her some flowers then. I was so excited to actually hear a patient say, "I want my mom to have _______". I think things are picking up for ChemoMoms again! This event has been MUCH more productive, using MANY resources available. I even have someone from the hospital who will write out the thank yous for me! YAY!

OK, I need to get off this thing - we have 4 turkeys WAITING to be FRIED!

With HOPE AND THANKSGIVING!
Tammy

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

2007-11-20T10:43:00.000-08:00

We have a little friend, Ethan, who is from Mobile but currently in Birmingham. He has gone into the PICU yesterday with a SEPTIC blood infection. You can read more details on his website. Please pray that he has the strength to fight this bad bug. He has been through more than my child in his short few years, including dying for a few moments and suffering severe brain damage.

The Thanksgiving dinner is plugging along...I think everything is in place, I just have to start checking off my to-do list, which happens to be about 6 pages long!!!

I am excited though, and I hope someone feels HOPE on Thursday. I don't know who, but I am sure someone there needs it.

If you still want to help, please donate money to ChemoMoms using one of the "Donate" buttons on the side bar. I delivered 3 baskets the other day, but I am completely out of digital thermometers so I don't have anything to take to the USS Hope.

With HOPE,
Tammy

It's ALMOST here!

2007-11-19T06:35:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: Monday morning - Does anyone have any CLEAN empty ice chests I can borrow? I have to cook the food here and then transport it to the hospital. I plan to use ice chests, towels and those heat packs to pull this off! Let me know!

Yikes! I am starting to get a little nervous! I am sure this will pass in the day to come, because I usually am just fine when its time to get serious and pull this off. But today I can be nervous because I still have time!

I have learned over the past 6 months and 2 events or so at the hospital, have everything planned ahead of time, and this time I am even drawing a layout map for the people who are helping me so I can give them a goal. Usually I have everything in my head, but not this time. I have several pages in a notebook with who is bringing what, what do I need to pick up, who do I need to call, etc. I feel like a party planner!

Today I am putting the pans and food together. The green bean casserole lady gets a pan with her ingredients, the sweet potato casserole lady and the the corn casserole lady both get pans too. Plus my grandma is making COCONUT CAKE with frozen coconut! I had never heard of that until this weekend! So I need to drop that off for her since she doesn't drive.

And I STILL need to go by Port City Rentals & Honey Baked Hams. I don't know why I get nervous about doing that kind of stuff, I guess I hate being told no. But I am going to pray and think positively that whoever I see will want to help out. This time around, I haven't really needed any corporate assistance! Can you believe that? (well, if you don't count some help from the hospital), but I have not needed to ask any company to donate food, because everything has been provided! Yippee!

I am starting to make a list, "thaw dressing on Tuesday night", "pick up fryer from Craig's house", "chill cranberry sauce", "bring ladle for gravy, etc" How does Martha Stewart do it all?????!

With HOPE and EXCITEMENT,
Tammy
PS: ChemoMoms can still use your donations - I have used all the money that was given for donations (because mostly the items were given), so if anything comes up last minute, I will have to spend my own money (which is ok, but I am trying to keep ChemoMoms on its own!)

Need Food!!!

2007-11-12T06:01:00.001-08:00

UPDATED: Friday, Nov 16 3:38 pm

Here it is - the weekend, and I think I have ALL the food donated!!! Yippee!
I went to the hospital today to go over some things and check out the site of the dinner. I was worried about renting some chafing dishes to keep the food warm, but guess what? There is a BIG buffet server with 4 pans and heat! PLUS a LARGE coffee pot! PLUS an ice machine! Praise the Lord!

I received a check today in the mail - thanks to MJ & her hubby - their daughter is a cancer survivor and they were very generous to help me in that way. I plan to use that money to buy the things I mentioned earlier, like the peanut oil and injector stuff for the turkeys.

Since my brother in law is loaning us his fryer, my husband will be able to fry 2 turkeys at a time that morning. Pray that the weather will cooperate since he has to do this outside at our house.

So have you been to Walmart today? Good grief - it is almost like the day after Thanksgiving already! I went at 9 am because I needed a couple of microwaveable meals and 3 thermometers to go in the 3 baskets I was taking to the hospital, and the grocery section was a mad house! I am going to send the kids off to grandma's tonight so I can venture back in Wally World sans kids. I got a good amount of decorations (thanks JT!) donated, so I hopefully only need to pick up a couple more tablecloths and candles/candleholders!

I am reposting the list of food we need donated and I am going to update this list as people let me know what they want to send. I am also going to put your initials if you are planning to serve, so folks will see how many people we still need to help.

Thursday, November 22 - the Jubilee Room at USA Children's & Women's, the room is reserved from 1 pm to 5 pm. The actual dinners should take place between 2 pm and 4 pm.

This is what I need donated:
FOOD:
turkeys (2 or 3) - we will be frying them earlier that day, if anybody wants to help do that, let us know! - ALL TURKEYS ARE DONATED!
pans of dressing (3-4) - ALL dressing is donated
sweet potato casserole - ALL sweet potato casserole is donated
green bean casserole - ALL green bean casserole is donated
mashed potatoes - ALL mashed potatoes are donated
potato salad - ALL potato salad is donated
cranberry sauce - ALL cranberry sauce is donated
gravy
rolls - ALL rolls are donated
assorted pies, traditional Thanksgiving desserts - 1 pumpkin roll is donated, 1 coconut cake is donated, 1 pecan pie and 2 miscellaneous desserts are donated
any other sides that you think would be appropriate - 2 dishes of deviled eggs are donated
sweet & unsweet tea (a few gallons) - All tea is donated
coffee (might be able to get some there at the hospital) - getting it from hospital

DECORATIONS:
Thanksgiving table arrangements - pretty much all decorations are donated
table cloths in fall colors - 4 table cloths are donated
any fall color candles/candleholders - some candleholders are donated

DISHES:
I am going to try to rent some dishes from the local rental supply place - they will even wash them!

SERVERS - UPDATED:
SG
MG
HG
CJ
VM
EM
BR
NM
RM
BS
CS

(let me know if you said you wanted to help and you aren't on this list!)

With HOPE (and LOTS OF HELP, I HOPE)
Tammy

WOW! WOW! WOW!

2007-11-05T13:55:00.000-08:00

I have just received SEVERAL donations of GREAT items for ChemoMoms!! In fact, I think I have enough to use some items to make smaller goodie bags for the moms, wrapped up nicely, of course. If anyone still wants to send something, I shrunk down the list of things that I am just completely out of.....
DIGITAL THERMOMETERS (Walmart has some for $4.98)
Address Book/Calendar (can be a combo book, just remember to get 2008)
Mints/gum
Popcorn
Microwave Meals - I have seen some coupons for these lately. I didn't get a paper on Sunday, but if you find coupons, please let me know. You can mail them to me and when I get a chance to buy some things, I will be sure to use the coupons. (especially Hormel)

I will also post a list of food items that have been promised for Thanksgiving...it is slowly taking shape! Please comment if you want your dish added to the list!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Thanksgiving is around the corner!

2007-10-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

Some of you know my plans for serving a home-style Thanksgiving meal for the inpatient families this November. I am officially in planning mode for this event. I have learned through the last 2 events we threw at the hospital, that the more people I have involved in even a small way, the easier things go and the less stressful for the helpers!

Here are the tentative plans and where I need help:

Thursday, November 22 - the Jubilee Room at USA Children's & Women's, the room is reserved from 1 pm to 5 pm. The actual dinners should take place between 2 pm and 4 pm.

(I really don't expect there to be very many families. Usually if there is any way, the hospital will allow the kids to be discharged in time to be home for that day, or they postpone any elective procedures until the next day. If we find that we have too much food, we will invite the nurses to come over and grab something since they are also missing their family get-togethers.)

This is what I need donated:
FOOD:
turkeys (2 or 3) - we will be frying them earlier that day, if anybody wants to help do that, let us know!
pans of dressing (3-4)
sweet potato casserole
green bean casserole
mashed potatoes
cranberry sauce
gravy
rolls
assorted pies, traditional Thanksgiving desserts
any other sides that you think would be appropriate
sweet & unsweet tea (a few gallons)
coffee (might be able to get some there at the hospital)

DECORATIONS:
Thanksgiving table arrangements
table cloths in fall colors
any fall color candles/candleholders

DISHES:
I am asking for a set of 4 to 8 piece place settings of REAL dishes, preferably fall color/style, to be labeled underneath with a piece of tape with your NAME written on them. I need dinner plate, bread plate, cup/saucer. I hope to be able to seat a family with a complete set of matching dinnerware. If a family of 4 arrives, then I will use the 4 piece set. If a family of 5 arrives, I will use 5 of the 8 piece set, etc. The reason I am going to this effort is because you rarely get to eat off anything that is breakable, and those white cafeteria plates just aren't festive! I will have a very safe and detailed way of identifying your donated dishes so they will be returned to you just as you sent them and CLEAN! (which includes taking pictures of your set, and noting any special handling)

I will have a special gift for those who help that day also. If you are interested in volunteering a couple of hours that day, please email me or call me. I understand if you have family things to do, but I know we usually do NOTHING that afternoon but sit around and wait for the next feast! At least we will be burning off the lunchtime feast calories! :)

I think we will be able to do most of this without much cost at all. That is if I can get these things donated in advance. Please contact your Sunday School class, your coworkers and see if they will be willing to pitch in a couple of dollars to buy a pan of dressing, or a pie. I think things will be pretty awesome!!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Making Another Delivery!

2007-10-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

I am headed to the hospital today to drop off a couple more Bandaid Boxes and some little goodie jars for Moms. I pulled out my scrapbooking stuff and wanted to make up something to give the parents who are sitting at the hospital today, waiting for doctors, tests, etc, so I thought these would be cute!

I hear the parents are really enjoying getting a gift, especially when they expect that it is for their child. I am also taking a couple of crossword puzzles, rolled up with a ribbon around them. Something to pass the time.

If anybody knows how to manipulate blogspot, please email me. I want to change the layout of our blog, but I need some expertise! Thanks!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Locks of Love in Mobile!!!

2007-10-03T06:27:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 28, from 2 pm til 5 pm. Fantastic Sam's is hosting an OCTOBERFEST for LOCKS OF LOVE!! Haircuts for the family will only cost $5 and hair donations will be taken. I am waiting on the manager to return my call and I will give you more information!!! Please go get an affordable haircut and thank these nice people for thinking of others (80 percent are children) who have no hair, due to either alopecia or chemo/radiation treatments. Check back later today for more information and the specific address of the Fantastic Sam's that is participating.

With HOPE,
Tammy

Yippee!

2007-09-27T07:06:00.001-07:00

Thank you VERY MUCH to Ms. Rita & Ms. Reba! I received some great items yesterday, LOTS of Lysol wipes and more! Plus lunch was good! It was nice to meet you Reba & Danny!

I have had several requests for the silver bracelets, so I am going to start making and selling those too. I have a breast cancer style, as soon as I get a picture, I will post it. The money will still go to ChemoMoms, but cancer is cancer. We need to support and love all those who must deal with it.

If the basket checklist is too lengthy for you, how about this suggestion: Choose one item on the list, say, digital thermometers. Then ask your co-workers, Sunday School class, or soccer moms to donate a thermometer and collect those on a set date. Then contact me and we can coordinate a pickup point.

Thanks again for spreading the word about ChemoMoms!
With HOPE,
Tammy

Picking Up Speed...

2007-09-25T10:55:00.000-07:00

I hate to bump down the post about Movie Night, but more things are coming for ChemoMoms!

Those of you who are familiar with Children's in Bham know about the Infusion Room at the back of Clinic 8. That is where kids receive chemo, blood/platelets, fluids, wait for bone marrows, etc.
In Mobile, they have the same kind of room, called USS Hope. (everything at USA Children's & Women's is an aquarium theme) So it is sorta like being in a submarine, and they have this big pretty cylinder aquarium that goes to the ceiling, anyways...

I have been trying to come up with an idea to help the ChemoMoms and Dads who don't get admitted, but still go to the Hope for cancer treatments. I have spoken with the nurses there and we have figured out a couple of things that ChemoMoms can provide.

1) Crossword puzzles/books - There is a possibility this will be provided soon. There really is nothing available for the parents who are waiting for HOURS on end except TV and internet, but we all know about these kids who love watching cartoons all day, so something more "mature" would be nice.

2) you know those microwaveable meals I ask for in the baskets? well sometimes, the parents don't eat because they are busy waiting on the doctor or taking care of their child, and then the cafeteria closes and it is back to the snack machine. I asked the nurse if we could donate some of those meals and the 2 nurses who work there will use their judgment as to when they would provide that to the parents. That is because we aren't sure if those meals will always be available due to donations, so we wouldn't want to "advertise" there always being a snack for the parents if we couldn't always provide them.

My latest project is a follow-up to the families who have already been on treatment for a while. A BAND-AID BOX. I found the one I used for Colette and this is a picture of it:

It is just a simple school box that is see-through, and in it I kept a digital thermometer, alcohol wipes, bandaids, measuring syringes and pills (usually nausea medicine), EMLA cream and tegaderms, and anything else I needed for Colette when we went out for the day. ChemoMoms will provide the box, a digital thermometer, and some special bandaids (characters or colored). The families will already have the rest of the stuff I mentioned, and they can use it according to their needs. I will also wrap this and include a card so it will be a gift, not just "here you go" type deal.

I will put a button on this website to allow purchase of one of these boxes for $10. The thermometers usually run $7-10, but I know how helpful that was for me to be able to toss the whole thing in my purse and go.

I have received a lot of feedback from the hospital staff about what we have done so far, and I think they are starting to get on board and offer other ways to help. Yay!

With HOPE,
Tammy

A Success!

2007-09-24T06:16:00.001-07:00

I consider the Movie Night to be a great success! We had things much more organized, thanks to my great helpers & husband, and we had a larger parent response this time! I know how it gets eating the same old hospital food, and the parents were really receptive to take plates back to their rooms, but the plates were full, so that is great! We even had enough food left after the parents to invite the nurses down, and the 5th floor nurses actually followed me down in the elevator! haha!

Thanks to Mobile Popcorn for donating the popcorn and boxes! Thanks to all my great helpers! Thanks to Ms. Brenda, Ms. Michele & Ms. Ashley for helping with getting things set up!

Next on the calendar for ChemoMoms - THANKSGIVING DINNER at the hospital! Be thinking of what you want to donate - any traditional Thanksgiving dishes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, etc. Contact me for more information!

Also, don't forget today is CHILI'S donation for St. Jude! All profits from today, all day, go to St. Jude and their efforts to CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER! Go eat at Chili's!!!

Bracelets are STILL for sale!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Update on Movie Night!

2007-09-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

Well, so far, I only have 2 appetizers committed for Saturday night. I still need help! I thought I would have 5 or 6 dishes for the parents to choose from. And we are not talking about 50 people either! There will only be a dozen or so parents! I just tell those interested, make as much as you would if you were just having some friends over for dinner or to watch the football game, nothing big!

So far, finger sandwiches and brownies have been promised, that's it! I still need some kind of dip and chips or crackers, and maybe meatballs or pigs in blankets or something like that. Please don't think that I have folks beating down my door, I DON'T!!! A lot of times, I know people think that someone else is doing it, so they aren't needed...WRONG! YOU ARE NEEDED!! I will drive to your house and pick this up after 12 on Saturday afternoon. Just email me and I will coordinate with you.

New ChemoKid for you guys to check on: Stash Phillips - Stash is from the Mobile area and has been in remission (brain tumor) for 9 months, but just relapsed with a different and bad kind of tumor. He and his mom are on their way home from St. Jude today. He will get treatment here at USA CWH! Click on his name and you can go to his website. Please leave his mom some encouraging words...she is completely overwhelmed, as I would be too.

OK - call your friends and ask them to make some dip or something! Then email me and let me know!!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Movie Night THIS SATURDAY!

2007-09-19T06:15:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! This Saturday night, Sept 22, is the Movie Night for the kids at USA Children's & Women's! I am super excited because this is such a fun and easy thing to do that will make a real difference while these kids are staying in the hospital.

I have heard of 1 maybe 2 adult helpers and 2 teens but I can always use more help. We are having popcorn (provided) and drinks (donated), but still need some candy. I thought of the big boxes of movie candy, like they have at Walgreen's 3 for a $1 right now. If not that, then we can get the little Halloween bags of candy, but please not Halloween symbols on any of it. It is not that holiday just yet!

I do need some big help with one part: can anyone make appetizers for the parents to enjoy in another room? Something like a dip, some meatballs, or any other finger foods, while the kids are watching the movie. That will give the parents a break, but they will still be close enough just in case there is a problem (IV beeping, child doesn't feel well enough to stay). We are only talking the same number of folks you would have over for a family birthday party or so, not too many.

Please EMAIL ME if you can make a dish and I will be happy to pick it up on Saturday late morning or early afternoon. email: chemomoms@yahoo.com Thanks!!!

With HOPE,
Tammy

New Bracelet Styles!

2007-09-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

Here is a crystal and gold only...The crystals are AB - meaning they have an iridescent look (they are CLEAR, not blue!)

And here is a delicate Chinese crystal and pearl bracelet...

I am still waiting on the pictures from the blood drive...I will post them ASAP!
With HOPE,
Tammy

PS: If you ever wondered why I say, "With HOPE", it is because first of all, you need HOPE to fight cancer, and also, there is a FANTASTIC tearjerker song by my favorite Christian artist, Steven Curtis Chapman with the same name. Of course, he wrote it for close friends who have lost children and were struggling to find a reason to live. But it is such a SPECIAL song and it has stuck with me since I heard it 8 years ago! BUT DO NOT LISTEN TO IT unless you can handle it! Go here if you want to listen to it and choose number 11 (but don't say I didn't WARN YOU!!!!)

Wow!

2007-09-13T06:33:00.000-07:00

I am so excited that things are FINALLY picking up for ChemoMoms!!!

The blood drive was great, I was able to reach many people in the community to let them know about what I am doing and how they can help. I passed out gold ribbons and stickers for kids, lists to shop for basket supplies and even raffled off a bracelet. When I got home that night, I found that the blog had received 70 hits since 9 am that morning!!! Yeehaw!

So if you met me at the blood drive and you are reading this now...thank you for coming by the blog! Please bookmark this page and come back often!

I am headed to the local children's hospital today with a few more bracelets and also to check on the banner they ordered to be hung in the hospital! Yay! I will take a couple of pics and post them here so you can see how things are progressing.

Even though I passed out a lot of shopping lists, I still don't have any donated items yet, except for the Avon orders that are coming. Thanks to you who ordered from Megan! Btw, TODAY IS MEGAN THE MAGNIFICENT'S BIRTHDAY!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGGIE-POO! Thanks for all the times you have been there! I love you!

I have pictures from the blood drive, they are at my mom's and I haven't uploaded them yet, but I will.

Check in a little later for more information about the Thanksgiving dinner and also the movie night for this month.

With HOPE,
Tammy

Today Is The Day!!

2007-09-11T04:46:00.000-07:00

My first big ChemoMoms display at Colonial Bel Air Mall! I have been super excited about this, and the timing has finally happened. I had to kidnap Mawmaw Penny on her birthday to help me get ready for today! I hope to have pictures of the table setup tonight on the website. I will be at the Target wing from 12-6 pm today. I plan to have a basket displayed with a pocket list of items needed to fill the baskets. I also hope to raffle a Childhood Cancer Awareness bracelet. I am praying that they will allow me to accept money. If not, I will just refer people to the website.

I am giving away the following items at the blood drive:
Ronald McDonald tab houses
USA Children's & Women's pamphlets
Gold ribbons
Small foam hands with gold ribbons for the kids
Safety suckers and coloring books (from the hospital)

I will use a laptop to play the video on Colette's website, the "September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" with the pictures of real cancer kids. Also I am displaying a photo "calendar" of Colette's treatment along with a framed 8x10 of her today, showing that efforts to cure childhood cancer are not in vain and that kids ARE surviving!!! I also want to bring our Curing Childhood Cancer car tag from my van that is not running.

Boy, I have a lot to get together this morning!!

Come by and see me if you get a chance!! Colette will be there after school.

With HOPE,
Tammy

It's ALREADY ONLINE!!!

2007-09-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

Colette's interview is ALREADY ON THE WEB!!!

http://wkrg.com/medical/article/9_11_memorial_blood_drive/5063/

This is soooo good!!!

What a busy day!

2007-09-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

So as I mentioned earlier, Colette and I were interviewed by Ch 5 at the Red Cross Donor Center. She was a turkey, as usual, so they have plenty of footage to work with! ha! Colette's segment will air on MONDAY at 5:00 PM on Channel 5, and again on Tuesday morning, early! The blood drive is happening on Tuesday, Sept 11, at Colonial Bel Air Mall, next to Target. If everything goes right, I will have a table set up with ChemoMoms advertisements and some gold ribbons and cards. Anybody want to man the table with me that day????

Also, the Childhood Cancer Awareness bracelets can now be purchased AT USA CHILDREN'S & WOMEN'S HOSPITAL GIFTSHOP!!!! I dropped off a few today and the profit will benefit CHEMOMOMS!!! Yippee!!!

Thanks to those of you who visited here today. Colette's caringbridge site gets around 80 hits a day, but this one usually only gets 5 or so. Today this one has received 25!!! That's an all-time high!

I am also trying to use a TV and play the video from YouTube that is on Colette's website. I will just have to close my ears so I can't hear the song!! lol

With HOPE,
Tammy

Welcome Colette's Daily Readers!

2007-09-07T05:35:00.000-07:00

I have invited you to view my blog. Things are really happening for ChemoMoms these past few days and it is only getting better. I can't update too much information yet because some things are still in the works, but you will be hearing and seeing more GOLD RIBBONS in Mobile in the next week or so! I think I finally reached the person I needed to in order to really get things in gear.

Today Colette and I are being interviewed by Channel 5 at the Red Cross Donor Center. They are preparing for the 9/11 blood drive and wanted some video to air on that day. I will let you know how that goes today, and when to watch on Tuesday, Sept 11.

ChemoMoms basket supplies are at an all-time low. No donated items have come in since June, therefore, I have nothing to make a basket with now. I spoke with the social worker at the hospital yesterday, and she only has 2 baskets left. Remember, these baskets go to NEW DIAGNOSES. I am in the process of designing another gift item to deliver to families who have been on this journey for a while, and need some encouragement. I am thinking a smaller "spa" type bag, along with maybe a bracelet or something like that. If anyone goes to Bath & Body Works, grab a couple of those trial size bottles and that would be perfect.

Also I changed the Donate button so you can donate ANY dollar amount. Thank you!

Be watching later this afternoon for another update, I should have some GOOD NEWS!!!

With HOPE,
Tammy

CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

2007-09-01T07:42:00.001-07:00

It's finally "our" month! Yay! I have been very busy gearing up for this month. I have been passing out gold lapel ribbons that I make to anyone who will wear it! I also took 3 baskets to USA Children's & Women's yesterday, they were out. I am making gold awareness bracelets with silver-plate and gold-plate beads, Swarovski crystals and little gold ribbon charms to sell. Please spread the word to anyone you know, they are $25 each and ALL proceeds go to ChemoMoms. Here is a pic:

When making the baskets yesterday, I ended up buying almost everything for the last 2 baskets. That means I am completely OUT of everything now, except gum & mints. I don't even have any baskets or cellophane wrap! I am going to list again, the items I really need to put in the baskets.

Microwaveable meals
Lysol wipes
Purse size calendar (make sure it has some 2007 months in it)
Address book
toothbrush/toothpaste
travel size shampoo and conditioner
body wash
purse size hand sanitizer
digital thermometers
baskets
cellophane (like for Easter baskets, I know you can buy it cheaply at Fred's)

While at the hospital I ran into Dr. Wilson, she was happy to see Colette. She saw the baskets and I gave her one of the bracelets. She was glad to know we are doing so well.

I will post more later about the Movie Night this month for the kids. I am getting closer to having that finalized.

If you would like some small lapel ribbons, please comment back or email me and I will mail them to you. Also, we are making some LARGE ribbons for trees! Let me know if you want one!!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Hello There!

2007-08-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is getting into the school year ok! Now I am back into ChemoMoms in full swing since I have time again! haha

So I had some ideas and would like some input...

I would like to sponsor a Movie Night at the local children's hospital. Maybe play a DVD and have some movie type snacks just for the kids to get out of the rooms and maybe free up the
parents for a little while? It would even be cool to have the parents a special room set up with grown up appetizers and maybe a massage person?

Also, I have asked about the Thanksgiving plans around the hospital. I would LOVE to set up a nice dinner, complete with tablecloths, centerpieces and FRIED TURKEY! I have gone to a local mission to serve dinner to the homeless on Thanksgiving, but why not do it at the hospital?!! I am excited about this idea!

Let me know what you think! You can just post a comment below, or email me at chemomoms@yahoo.com

Check back later for more information!
With HOPE,
Tammy

Fourth of July Was a SUCCESS!

2007-07-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who donated to the party for USA Children's & Women's Hospital! The kids stayed in there with us more than 2 hours! I heard that one of the kids never leaves her room, but she hung out the WHOLE TIME with us!

We had ice cream sundaes/banana splits, cheeseburgers from McD's, watermelon, you name it! After the 2 hrs of crafts and music, we took the remaining crafts and balloons and cokes and burgers around the halls to all the folks who were unable to come to the party. It was really awesome to see them, all tucked in for the evening at 7:30 pm (that's just how it is inpatient) and we show up at the door with a stars and stripes balloon, drinks, and goodies! I wish I could do that every day!

I took pictures, but due to privacy issues, we can't post them online. I did learn that next time, I will get releases signed by the parents, then I can post them! We are already thinking forward to next year's party, to be held in a bigger room at the hospital. I am sure we will have a bigger turnout next year!

Please don't forget to donate. I have not needed a basket but I do have enough to get a couple made. I am sure we will be hearing from 2 families who are doing their pre-transplant workup right now. They will need gas money and food money, since they live 30 minutes past Mobile, and will be going to Children's in Birmingham. (This is the child I mentioned earlier, the one who stayed at the party the whole time.)

With HOPE,
Tammy

4th of July Party for kids!

2007-07-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

So I am planning a July 4th party for the kids who are inpatient on Wednesday!

I still need your help to get everything finalized...
I plan to have banana splits, I have all the stuff except the bananas and ice cream
I would like to see if someone would donate a watermelon, the bananas and ice cream

I plan to get by Hobby Lobby on Monday or Tuesday to see if the manager will donate or give us a discount on some decorations or some red/white/blue leis or beads or ANYTHING! Whatever I buy will have to come out of my pocket, so the cheaper the better!

I have a few teens who said they would help at the hospital that afternoon. I plan to have the party at 5:30 pm. Since Jason is off that day, I hope we can get everything done early that afternoon. Since I can't drive and won't even be able to walk until the end of July, I need as much help as possible!

Can you help? Email me or call me if you can! 406-5820

With HOPE (for some volunteers and donated goodies)..
Tammy

ChemoMom in a Wheelchair!

2007-06-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

Well I decided I needed some attention so I thought I would break my ankle and fibula! haha I actually was at youth camp in Talladega, AL, and stepped off a 4-inch sidewalk in the dark and broke my right leg. Talk about pain!!!

I am home now, but I can't walk on my foot for about 4 weeks. I had a 3-hour surgery on Thursday, so I am pretty much down for a while.

I have received 3 calls for ChemoMoms baskets at the local hospital! yay! I have enough to make 2 baskets but I haven't received any new supplies in a while. In fact, I will have to buy some shampoo/conditioner, some body wash, hand sanitizer and some Lysol antibacterial wipes.

If anyone would like to help, you can make a donation to my paypal account. I now have a debit card to use for that account so I can purchase ChemoMoms stuff separately. Even $10 would help me buy everything I need to finish the 3rd basket and possibly do 2 or 3 more!

Also, you can purchase items yourself and mail them to me. If you want my home mailing address, please email me and I will be more than happy to give it to you!

Thanks again!
With HOPE,
Tammy

Yahoo!!

2007-05-31T20:59:00.000-07:00

We are finally back online again!!!

To get you caught up, we have only received $25 in donations since March! That means that I am still operating on my own extra money (which is basically non-existent) and donated items! HOWEVER, we HAVE received enough donated items that I have given away almost TEN baskets!!! whoo hoo! And I need to get a couple more up to the hospital because I took 3 last week and they were all used in the same day!

My next project is to create a Movie Night Bucket. I need donations of movie theater popcorn buckets and if you can't find that, please ask your local KFC for a couple of clean buckets. I can cover the outside with black movie paper or filmstrip designed paper (thanks to cool scrapbook stores) and then I also would ask for donations of new DVDs and movie-style candy. You can get a lot of those at Dollar Tree Stores, just please check the expiration dates. I want to have candy, a new DVD for the whole family, but with the child in mind, and popcorn and a 2-liter of coke or something like that. Wrap it up and it is a great thing to look forward to just to make that one night a little bit different.

Another thing I have done is to create a ChemoMoms Supply Box. In it I included chapsticks, shampoo/conditioners, feminine items and a few other things and decorate the storage box with our name and phone number. Now the nurses keep it stored in their personal area and if a mom is inpatient and needs something in the middle of the night, or whenever, the nurse can give her whatever she needs until she can get home or have someone run to the store for her! I have one box at USA Children's & Women's and I plan to take one to Birmingham when we return there June 25-27.

Sadly, I did have one family ask for help and I couldn't help them. Their son recently relapsed here in Mobile and will be traveling to Bham for transplant in the next month. The mom asked for some help with gas, but unfortunately, I didn't even have anything to give her. That really frustrates me because I told her nearly a month ago that if she needed anything to call, and she did, and I couldn't provide what she needed. Why?! Believe me, if I had an extra $20 or so, I would have definitely sent it to her, but I don't. I don't think the public understands how simple it is for someone to pick up an extra bottle of hand sanitizer, or one more container of Lysol wipes. That makes a HUGE difference to me and to these families! Put it all together and you are not only saving the family money, but also a trip to Wal-Mart or the grocery store on the 2 or 3 days that the family is actually at home! Plus, you can't take your child with you in public places, usually, so either grandma or aunt/uncle will also have to come over to babysit so Mom can go to the store!!

Please do what you can and help spread the word about what we are trying to do. I am currently working on throwing a July 4th Celebration at the hospital on July 4th. Two years ago, Colette and I were inpatient on July 4 and it was miserable, knowing that everyone around the country was celebrating with fireworks, hot dogs and watermelon, and she was not even able to see a single fireworks display!!! I am working with Child Life at the hospital to throw a party and try to make it a special night for the kids. Please let me know if you would like to help with this effort. Right now, it is just me!!

Thanks for reading!
With HOPE,
Tammy

We are getting famous!

2007-05-23T11:47:00.000-07:00

I don't even know if that is proper grammar! But we have been on the news and in the paper lately, with promise of more to come!

The tv station has asked that I come and talk about ChemoMoms on their morning show! Maybe that will help generate some donations! I am also searching for some assistance with becoming non-profit status, if you know someone who can help with that, please let me know!

I still need any donated items either on the list, or any cash donations via paypal. I know of 3 families who will be traveling to Bham or St. Jude for transplant this summer and with the cost of gas these days, we need to start saving up for those trips now!

Please click the link above so you can help with financial donations!

Bad news!

2007-05-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

First I need to apologize for the lack of updates. My computer is messed up at home and I have to travel to use one!
Sadly, I must inform you that we have cancelled the scrapbook crop fundraiser on May 12. Would you believe that not one person registered? Yep, it was not meant to be.

I guess I will need to come up with some other type of fundraiser to raise money for our group. I am still receiving items for the baskets and I am still making them, people are just starting to really start sending lots of good stuff. Also, I have received a nice couple of donations, so that is slowly building.

I would like to hear from some of you if you have ideas for raising money. You can leave a comment here or call me at 251-406-5820. I am trying not to become frustrated with the lack of interest in our group, because there is so much that can be done if just a few of us get together and make it happen!

With HOPE,
Tammy

ChemoMoms on CureSearch!!!

2007-04-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

Yippee! Our resource group information has now been posted on curesearch.org - the most informative childhood cancer website (in my opinion) out there! It provides information for parents, patients, survivors, and medical support about all kinds of childhood cancer!

Go curesearch.org, click on For Parents/Families, then under Resource Directories, click Find Resources, then type in your zip code. As long as you are in South Alabama/South Mississippi, you should find us!

Survival Baskets for Moms!!

2007-04-15T15:04:00.000-07:00

So here are some pictures of 2 of the baskets I have just completed to take to the hospital!

I received a bunch of stuff today from someone at church - (please email me if you are that someone, my darling husband is not the greatest with names!) and I was able to complete the 2 baskets and start 2 more!!! Yay!!

I never received anything for the 2 families needing gas and food vouchers. I guess it is going to take some time for things to pick up in that department. I have been busy with the scrapbook crop, so maybe that will be a big success and I can use that money for those kinds of items.

Well, it is off to plant some seeds that we got at the Dauphin Island Discovery Days yesterday! I will be posting pics of that on Colette's website later!

Please be praying for Elizabeth and her family. She is going to Birmingham today to have a surgery tomorrow to remove seven inches of her central line that has been left in her chest since 2004!!! It has been causing some pain and discomfort but bless her heart, maybe that will be the end of it!

With HOPE,
Tammy

ChemoMoms need GAS!

2007-04-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

OK, that is supposed to make you laugh!
We have a big need for gas cards. There is one family who will be traveling to Bham on Sunday or Monday for a surgery and they are taking all their kids with them, since it is Spring Break next week. I would like to give them a gas card and/or a restaurant card to O'Charley's or Ruby Tuesday (those are close to the hospital).

The second family is getting ready to go in for a bone marrow transplant. They drove to Birmingham on Monday, Apr 9, and will have to return on Friday of this same week. It is possible they will go BACK to Mobile after that, and return to Birmingham the NEXT Wednesday for additional testing! That is AT LEAST $150 or more in gas alone, much less food and hotels.

If you can ask around at your work, church or school, these families would not know how to act if they received something like this. The second family is just getting started with this journey and I think it is important for them to know that we are there for them every step of the way!

Let me know if you have any ideas!
Thanks!

Tired and Happy!

2007-04-09T06:47:00.000-07:00

Boy, we had a GREAT Easter! I don't think we could have packed anything else into the past 3 days!!

I received some donated digital thermometers! And there is a box headed this way from Montgomery full of goodies on our list! Yay! So I am putting together 2 baskets today, and I will be going to the hospital to visit with 2 families - one going home after chemo, the other headed to Birmingham for the first time.

If you are keeping up with our basket items, we don't need any more of the following for now:

chapstick
hand lotion
digital thermometers

Anything else on the list, please feel free to pick some up! Things are getting exciting for ChemoMoms! And don't forget our 12 HOUR SCRAPBOOK CROP!!!

Happy Easter!!!

2007-04-07T12:35:00.000-07:00

I wanted to stop in and tell you 2 things:
First, HAPPY EASTER! We had a WONDERFULLY MOVING Good Friday service at church last night. I am very excited about tomorrow's services too! (I am singing in BOTH services and I have to be there at 8 am!)

Second, if you want to donate but don't have my address, please email me or leave a comment. I don't really want to display my home address, mainly because we are getting a PO Box for ChemoMoms, and I don't want to confuse anyone. But until a box becomes available, you can send anything to my house.

Also, if you would rather make a cash donation, you can send it to my paypal address: tambabe1@hotmail.com Just go to www.paypal.com and follow the instructions to Send Money and then it will ask for my email address. It can come from a credit card or through you personal bank account, but I won't receive any of your personal information. I will get an email saying, "Mrs. Soandso has sent you a payment for $20.00" and it will show up in my account. I have a debit card that links to this account.

Here is a special gift for you....enjoy!

Slowly getting off the ground...

2007-04-03T09:26:00.000-07:00

So it is taking a little longer than I expected to get this group going! I know we have been super busy with normal life things like soccer, church, Easter, school, but I am getting ready to dig in to ChemoMoms full force. I just want to get past Easter! LOL

I still have not really received ANYTHING donation-wise for the mom baskets that I am supplying for the hospital. I am basically going around my house and collecting things that are on the list and trying to make do until we start getting some items given to us. I know with Easter baskets and school parties, everyone is trying to get those things purchased and to the schools on the right days, I know I am doing the same thing!

We have had a donation of Avon items (chapstick, lotion, etc) - THANKS TO MEGAN in INDIANA! If anyone needs an AVON rep - MEGAN is the girl for you!

Please please please - keep your eyes peeled for holiday clearance items such as cellophane wrap and ribbon and colorful buckets. I will be more than happy to come by and pick up anything you want to send our way, just email me with your phone number.

There is a new diagnosis in Mobile - they think it is Severe Aplastic Anemia, which must be treated with a bone marrow transplant. They are supposed to be going to Bham this week for their first time. I went by and met the parents last week and took a goodie bag filled with small items (chapstick, tylenol, tums, nail file) and an address book. The mom had a notebook so she was ahead of the game! LOL

Also, if you will please advertise this blog on your websites, I would appreciate it greatly! I am praying that the right people will be led here and they will help get this off the ground. I hear from so many people that this is a great thing we are doing, so I know it is going to be a huge success at some point! I just wish it would happen soon! LOL

Well, I need to take care of the normal mom duties around the house, so I am logging out. Please take time to remember the significance of this week . . . more on that later!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Is Anybody Out There????

2007-03-28T14:52:00.000-07:00

I put the counter on to see if anyone was reading this blog! Please leave comments if you get a chance! I like to know if anyone is reading and what you are thinking!

By the way, PLEASE tell everyone you know about the SCRAPBOOK CROP!!! It is going to be FUN FUN FUN! We need to get some registrations going! I wonder if I am going to be able to scrap this time?! LOL I will probably be too busy!!!

http://www.chemomoms.eventbrite.com

Some of the cool things that will be raffled are STACY JULIAN'S (editor of Simple Scrapbooks) online class GLIMPSES and a cute autograph collection of several FAMOUS scrapbook designers who wanted to help us out!

PLUS MORE....

But you have to SIGN UP to be eligible!!! Let me know what you think!

Registration for the Crop is OPEN!!!

2007-03-26T12:44:00.001-07:00

Go to this website and register online for the scrapbook crop on May 12!!!

http://chemomoms.eventbrite.com

You can pay by paypal, credit card and also by check. Let me know if you need to mail your registration fee and I will email you the address.

Yippee! I am getting excited!!!

Registration for the Crop is OPEN!!!

2007-03-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

Go to this website and register online for the scrapbook crop on May 12!!!

chemomoms.eventbrite.com

You can pay by paypal, credit card and also by check. Let me know if you need to mail your registration fee and I will email you the address.

Yippee! I am getting excited!!!

Now accepting registrations and donations!

2007-03-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

We will open registration for the scrapbook crop beginning on Monday!!!

Checks for registration AND donations can be made payable to CHEMO MOMS OF MOBILE
Registration for the crop is $40

I will post the link to the registration form and you can print it out or email the information to chemomoms@yahoo.com with the word CROP REGISTRATION in the subject line!

Thanks!

PS: Our first official CHEMO MOMS "Survival Kit" went out to a mom on FRIDAY! Hopefully I will have a picture to post here of it! Check back on Monday!

Our Successful Meeting with USA CWH!!

2007-03-22T08:46:00.000-07:00

Wow, yesterday was super busy!!!
Hope and I met with Michelle, Brenda and Robin to show them the "welcome basket" that we want to provide for inpatient parents. They were very appreciative of what we are trying to do.
They will be contacting parents in the hospital and giving them our phone numbers, email, etc. so they can contact us if they want to. We are limited on contact because of privacy issues: the parents must call us first. That is where the social workers will be helpful to us.

The basket contained the following items - if you can help provide any of these, please let me know. We are open to ALL donated items!

Plastic bucket - Big Lots - $2
Clear or purple cellophane wrap (like for Easter baskets)
Purple, green and/or gold wide ribbon for a bow
Spiral notebook & pen
Pocket Calendar - Walmart $2
Small Address/phone directory
Lysol wipes canister (not the large one)
emery board
travel size shampoo/conditioner (just not a baby brand), hand lotion
chapstick
small microwaveable meals, soups, etc
popcorn
purse size bottle of hand sanitizer
small packet of Tums, Tylenol, Advil
small pack of thank you notes - Big Lots $1
feminine products
cheap digital thermometers ($10)

Oops!

2007-03-20T05:26:00.000-07:00

I just realized that the way I worded the post below, it sounds like the crop is only for moms who have cancer kids!
NO!!!!
The crop is for ANYBODY and the funds raised will support our group "ChemoMoms" and help us to do some things for the parents here locally!!!

Sorry for the craziness!

12 Hour Scrapbook Crop for ChemoMoms!!!

2007-03-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

Our first official fundraiser is here! REGISTER NOW HERE

Saturday May 12, 2007
12 Hour Scrapbook Crop for ChemoMoms
10 am to 10 pm
First Baptist Tillman's Corner (Three Notch Rd, next to Dreamland Skate Center)
Fee $40 - includes tshirt, lunch and registration
Lots of ****door prizes, raffles and drawings****, snacks and drinks and FUN!

Guess what we will be giving away or raffling???

A gift card to a local scrapbook store
A scrapbook gift basket with lots of fun stuff
A car wash basket (great for Father's Day coming up!)
An online scrapbooking class donated by STACY JULIAN herself!
A minibook with several famous scrapbooking designer's autographs
And more!!!!

One of the main goals of ChemoMoms is to remember the parents/grandparents of kids who are sick. We want to do special things for the moms/dads. The kids are given all kinds of toys and attention, but the parents are always left out. We want to be able to send them to dinner with their spouse, hair styling, massages, and remembering their birthdays.

To do this, we need to raise MONEY!! LOL

I hope you can get some friends together and support our local moms while having fun and winning goodies! You don't have to have anything to scrapbook - just come and have fun visiting! We will have lots of tools available and possibly some scrapbook products for sale in case you forget something. There will also be a digital camera and photo printer available too!

If you know someone who might be able to donate items either for this fundraiser to be raffled OR if they want to donate something to give to the parents, such as gift cards to restaurants, gas stations, long distance calling cards, we would LOVE to hear from you!

First Try!

2007-03-19T07:55:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is my first attempt at blogging. I have been doing it for almost 2 years on my daughter's website, but now I am "branching out" and creating a blog for ChemoMoms.

Anyone who has anything to do with childhood cancer, be it a survivor, caregiver or just a concerned person is welcome to join our little crusade. When my daughter was diagnosed in 2005, I thought she was the only cancer kid in Mobile! Ha!

Since then I have met MANY people and the most sincere people are moms of cancer kids.
They know what life is like, how things are different and most importantly, they understand the fear that we live with daily.

Please bookmark this blog as I will update it regularly, and you don't want to miss any of our events!

With HOPE,
Tammy