Awareness Beads

04/19/2014

Looks like even in the midst of his second battle, our Bead Buddy, Wes, has found yet another reason to smile. An organization called PALS (Patient Air Lift Services), who fly Wes up to NYC for every treatment, has flown Wes' little brother, Ebin, and their Nana, up to NYC to spend some time with Wes this Easter weekend before his surgery on Monday. Thank you PALS! Awareness Beads loves you! We love you Pak family! Stay strong!

02/21/2014

Bead Buddies Abbi and Sophie along with another sweet little girl, Madelyn, leave on their Toby's Dream Foundation trip to Disney next week! Have fun girls!

02/18/2014

It has been awhile since a post was made here at Awareness Beads. There have been many changes and updates for a few of our special "Bead Buddies"

As many or all of our followers may already know, Bead Buddy Alli left our world to be joined with our Savior. Our hearts remain broken for Alli's loved ones, but we rejoice in knowing she is finally healed in the arms of the Father. We know we will see her again someday, and for her it will feel as if no time has passed.

Our sweet Bead Buddy EJ has been hospitalized since before Halloween. He is still at CHKD fighting jaundice among other things, but the latest update from his mom says that he is working hard at PT and they are casting his legs to rebuild his muscle strength. Hopefully he will be able to come home soon. Please keep him in your prayers.

Our very first Bead Buddy, Wes, has relapsed. His latest scans showed that Neuroblastoma has come back to attack him, but Wes is a Jedi cancer Soldier, and he is already on chemo ready to win again.

It is so unfair that children are forced to endure diseases like cancer. It is our mission to bring them smiles, but also to bring awareness to the world that this madness must cease. To help the kids and make a real difference, please visit our dear friends at TheTruth365, and please keep Captain EJ VS. Cancer and Wes' Fight Against Neuroblastoma in your hearts, on your minds, and in your prayers.

Until next time,
Awareness Beads

10/04/2013

Please say a prayer for Bead Buddy Alli. Allison Burr is fighting Ewings Sarcoma and the doctors have said that her time with us is short. Keep Fighting Alli Cat! Awareness Beads loves you!

09/10/2013

Well, slacker that I am and as busy as I have been lately with work and school, I have failed this page. I am truly sorry to everyone who supports us and our Bead Buddies. This post is focused on Emma and EJ. I haven't given an EJ update here since April. EJ had his tumor resection and the surgeon removed all of the visible Neuroblastoma, but also had to take one of EJ's kidneys. After recovering from his operation, Captain EJ endured a month-long stay at CHKD for high dose chemo and stem cell reinfusion. He has just recovered from that and today he started radiation. His mommy says it made him sick, but he was a champ of course. He hast two and a half weeks of radiation to do before being considered for antibody therapy. EJ did not get to start kindergarten this year because of cancer. His big sister, Bead Buddy Emma, is doing great. She is in school and living the life of a kid, the way it should be. But I will always believe she knows something the rest of us just don't. The good news is that Leukemia hasn't come back to steal her childhood again. The bad news is really bad. If you know me outside of this page than you probably already know, but Emma and EJ lost their daddy in June. He had a seizure that put him in the hospital ad his organs failed and we lost him. He was only in his early thirties. It was very devastating for all of us, but especially hard on the kids and their mommy. Michelle has been a trooper, the real life supermom, but it has certainly not been easy for her. Please keep this family, our good friends, in your heart.

09/10/2013

Awareness Beads has a ton of updating to do, but tonight we just want to share that Bead Buddy Kennedy Dean is celebrating two years since her AVM rupture. Two years ago today, at 7 years old, KJ's world was turned upside down, but she has overcome her obstacles in the eyes of The Healer, and is going strong today in her recovery. Way to go Kennedy baby, we are proud.

08/04/2013

Please consider helping Bead Buddy Sydney by donating towards making her wish come true.

www.facebook.com/sydswishlist A big hello to everyone reading this! If you are here, it is most likely because you know about Sydney and her Wish List and you want to help! We have the incredible opportunity to grant the 3rd wish o...

05/28/2013

Awareness Beads would like to give a big shout out to our personal friend, Beth Stovall. Beth, who holds the current title of Miss Goldsboro (Stormy Kelly Smith's hometown in NC), visited with kids at Vidant Children's Hospital today in Greenville, NC. Vidant is a hospital we know well, as a few of our Bead Buddies have been treated there. Way to go Beth! Good luck on your journey to becoming Miss North Carolina!

Special visitors always brighten the lives of the children in our hospital and today’s visitor was no exception. Beth Stovall, Miss Goldsboro 2013 brought lots of smiles and laughter with her today when she visited our playroom and we can’t thank her enough. We offer the very best wishes to Beth as she competes to become Miss North Carolina on June 22nd.

04/14/2013

This is Bead Buddy EJ today. We visited him and he slept the whole time. He was having a blood transfusion and getting an NG feeding. Please keep EJ in your prayers.

04/11/2013

Please keep Bead Buddy EJ in your prayers. He is enduring round 4 of chemo this week after an inconclusive CT scan report. We love you Captain EJ! You can follow EJ's battle against Neuroblastoma on his page, Captain EJ VS. Cancer.

04/11/2013

Bead Buddy Abbi had surgery yesterday and her surgeon successfully removed ALL of the tumors in her back and chest. Abbi is recovering nicely in the ICU at CHKD. Please keep her in your prayers as she kicks Neuroblastoma! You can follow her story on her page, Abbi's Road.

04/10/2013

Awareness Beads would like to congratulate Bead Buddy Emma on the completion of her treatment! After a diagnoses of T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age 3 on Christmas Day of 2010, Emma underwent countless chemo treatments, lab draws, lumbar punctures, IVIG treatments, hospital stays, and now a little over two years later, her treatment protocol is over and we are very excited to announce that Emma has "kicked stupid Leukemia in the face"!