National Cancer Research Month

I was recently contacted by Heather who asked if I would mind sharing her story with you. Since mesothelioma took the life of my uncle, I was more than happy to agree.

From Heather Von St. James:

I’m reaching out to you today in hopes that you will help me with a cause that is very near and dear to my heart. At age 36, just 3 ½ months after my first and only child, Lily, was born, I was diagnosed with mesothelioma and given 15 months to live. Miraculously, I beat the odds and I’m still here eight years later.

Mesothelioma is considered one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers; most people are given just one year to live upon diagnosis. There is no known cure for mesothelioma and the future continues to look grim as attention to the disease as well as research funding continues to decline. The only known cause of ‘meso’ is exposure to asbestos, which is still not banned in the US. Sadly, it doesn’t look like asbestos will be banned anytime soon, as there is too much money being made by using this deadly mineral.

Since May is National Cancer Research Month, I’ve made it my personal mission to try and spread awareness of this rare, preventable disease. The more people that know about this cancer, the more lives are potentially saved! Would you be willing to share the site that I blog for with your readers? The Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance has tons of information about the disease, asbestos exposure, and is also where my husband and I blog about our journey with mesothelioma.

Please, please, please encourage your family and friends to learn the signs of cancer and do so yourself if you don't already know what they are.

Oh Mama

My Mother's Day card from Dailaesse this year...

front

back

On the inside? She writes, "Happy Mother's Day! Thank you SO much for everything you do. Your sweet, kind, and you love to give hugs. You are an awesome Mom! I love you so much and hope you have a great Mother's Day. Love, Duder 2014"

Dear God I pray this child always stays this amazing. 

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!!!

Art Awards

Turns out being named artist of the year is a pretty big deal celebrated by people from the governors office.

That's Dailaesse and her amazing art teacher on the right in front of her winning art piece. Yes, they spelled her name wrong. LOL

And Dailaesse with her amazing art teacher AND the amazing principal from her school. I'm so impressed by the support the kids get for the arts out here. And so very proud of our little princess!