Declan the Dinosaur Foundation

04/27/2021

If your looking to become an advocate in your state check out this new program from Momcology and American Childhood Cancer Organization

We hear you! We know you want to address the inequities in funding and priorities in childhood cancer while raising awareness and using your experiences to help others. As we quickly head toward September and CCAM, now is the time to begin your education process with your community on effectively empowering change. Let's for .

Join Momcology and American Childhood Cancer Organization tonight at 7pm EST for this welcome and educational session to see if childhood cancer advocacy work is a fit for your time, energy and passion.

It’s not too late - register now: http://s.acco.org/KidsTOO

04/22/2021

Today is one of those days where my mind just wonders thinking about Declan, his giggles and just that grin!
I’m working and you guys the blood supply is in ROUGH shape. It is not a localized problem but across the country! My thoughts go to Declan’s friends and other kids who may have to go without because we are not doing enough!

Please if your in the Pacific Northwest area visit bloodwoodsnw.org to schedule a appointment today! We have 1,000 open appointments over the next week. We support 95% of the hospitals in the PNW.

If you are outside of the PNW check with your local hospital to see who there blood supplier is and donate!

I’d love to see some pics! Send then my way! If you can’t donate recruit someone to donate for you!

04/17/2021

this morning starting the weekend off with my 1st time platelets donation! Declan consumed 108 units while in treatment I’m working on paying it forward to other kiddos. My platelet count is so high that this one sitting I will donate THREE units. We are in emergency levels for all blood types, please schedule an appointment and donate today!

03/16/2021

As we continue on this journey of grief I’m finally ready to share this portion of our journey. It’s hard to believe we are getting ready to celebrate another birthday without our dino and 3years since he left us. I sat down a few months ago with my new coworker .harper.iv on the podcast to share Declan’s story and how blood donation gave me all these amazing memories that I cherish today. Checkout the link in our bio to listen!

01/22/2021

Friendly reminder friends in the world of hashtags and tweets. Pick up the phone and call a friend make sure they are ok. In the past 24hours I have been contacted by 3 local families that are struggling. I can only imagine the elevated levels of stress and fear, their children have no immune systems, world wide pandemic, several loosing their jobs. For me a call from my best friend even for 20mins about dumb things her husband or kids did that day made me laugh and brought a moment of joy to long hospital stays. Call a friend today!

12/08/2020

As 2020 is coming to the end I have exciting news to share! The past two years and half years since Declan passed away (I can’t believe it has been that long) our family became even smaller but still mighty. Naturally, I went back to the hospitality industry because that is what I have always known and built my career in. I took that time to grieve and heal from these series of life events that have shaped me to where I am today. Then COVID-19 entered our world which has been a blessing in disguise and gave me that extra pushed me to walk away from what was comfortable and guided me to my passion.
I am so excited to announce that I have joined the amazing family of Declan and I became advocates when he got sick we would refer to blood drives as blood parties just for him. Declan had 76 blood transfusions and 108 platelet transfusions over the 2 years of his treatment. While in hospice care blood transfusions gave us an additional five months with Declan. After some inquires it turned out that Bloodworks NW was the blood bank who provided blood products for the hospitals we went to. At Bloodworks NW you donate local and it stays local here in the PNW. 2020 hasn’t been easy for us but embrace the discomfort and uncertainty you never know what is waiting for you.

If you want to know how you can make a difference let’s connect! Declan was only four years old when he became a blood advocate, you can never be too young or too old.

09/12/2020

Let’s talk marrow and why we want yours!

Genetically we have doppelgängers across the world. For a perfect match to occur a patient will need to match with a donor on 12 genetic markers.

Patients with diverse backgrounds struggle to find a match. Some patients don’t live long enough to find a match due to the lack of diversity in the bone marrow registry.

Declan had 5 perfect matches which was then narrowed done to a young woman in Great Britain. Though I never received information past her age, blood type, and country her small sacrifice gave us a chance at a cure. Though Declan did not survive his cancer battle that donor gave us an extra 9 months and I’m forever grateful.

Please visit our website and link to become a donor. www.acco.org/declan

09/11/2020

Hospital staff and doctors spend so much time focused on the patient but this illness doesn’t just affect one person it affects the whole family. A family battling cancer is a traumatic ordeal.Watching your child take their last breath is traumatic. Signing your child’s death certificate just as you did their birth certificate is traumatic. But you don’t have to be alone.

I started therapy in September 2017 post Declan‘s first bone marrow transplant when he was healthy. Because I had taken that step my established relationship with my therapist Declan’s re-diagnosis, his death and everything that came following is manageable. Three years and I still see the same therapist. I brag about going to therapy and encourage all humans to seek one out.

Today I choose to find gratitude for that chapter of my life.

If you know someone or yourself don’t be afraid to seek out mental health professionals. I was resistant for a long time but it will help you tremendously.

09/09/2020

Months leading up to Declan’s diagnosis at different points he showed some of these symptoms and I chalked them up to growing pains because of the chaos of daily life. I spent time double guessing and suspicious of something else but silenced those thinking I was worrying too much . Let me bare witness to mom gut 1,000% will guide you when it comes to your kiddos.

I’ve gone head to toe with doctors and nurses who tried to tell me nothing was wrong. Momma’s we know our babies.

If you suspect of something not being quite right call your doctor a quick blood test can give you peace of mind.

09/07/2020

Everyday 43 kids in the United States are diagnosed with cancer and it is the leading cause of death for children in the US.

09/06/2020

We are all stuck at home during these times so lets make it count! St. Baldrick’s is hosting a virtual day on the hill to advocate for the Star Act! The link is in the comments will direct you to everything you need to know.

09/04/2020

Reread multiple times and let those numbers really resonate and sink in.

09/03/2020

The effort worldwide to find a vaccine for the coronavirus is remarkable. The innovation no stone left unturned attitude.

If that was only the case for pediatric cancer treatment options and FDA approval.
The above image comes directly from the FDA website on approved drugs and when they were approved. Large majority of these treatments are from the 50s-70s. I also would like to note on the righthand side which cancers they treat.
ALL now has a 98% rate for a child to enter remission and over 10 years 90% survival rating. That is amazing! Research funding and FDA approval got them to this point.

Sadly, the more rare cancers like DIPG has little to no funding to find a cure. Until I was thrusted into this world I had no idea, ignorant bliss to what was happening worldwide to our children.

09/02/2020

Welcome to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!

Everyday this month I am devoting to posting information on childhood cancers, treatments, lack of funding, and long term side effects.

I have missed you all, its been 2 years 3 months and 6 days since I got to hold Declan in my arms for the last time. So much has happened, the landscape of our family changed dramatically and rapidly in the weeks following his death which lead to the lengthy hiatus from any updates and posts.

Today was the 1st day of school for us and it looked different across the country due to COVID-19 but children with cancer for decades have been forced to adapt to remote learning and quarantine lifestyles. I got to witness children through pain and nausea stay up to all hours at night to finish a homework assignment or test to make sure they didn’t fall behind. Hospitals providing makeshift classrooms to help that 1st grader or senior get through tough assignments while hooked up to an IV receiving chemotherapy infusion. Just remember to center yourself in gratitude and give yourself a little grace while getting through remote learning this year.

This is the only picture that I will have of my boys off to their 1st day of preschool together, Declan only got to experience school for a few months before his initial relapse.

20% of children in the US with cancer will not survive. A child is diagnosed with cancer every 3 minutes.

08/31/2019

I hope to see more States pass laws like this!

SPOKANE, Wash.- Founders of the Jada Bascom Foundation and area-elected leaders came together to celebrate the passing of Jada's Law.

08/04/2019

I’ve been blessed to have a job which compliments the foundations beliefs of spreading kindness!

With help from your donations we are able to pay the Linton’s family mortgage for September. They can spend all the precious moments with their little boy!

https://www.columbian.com/news/2019/aug/03/4-year-old-camas-boy-receives-kindness-citation/

Representatives from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Camas Police Department, the Vancouver Flames youth basketball team, Big Al’s Family Entertainment Center and the Portland Timbers made a su

08/02/2019

Jack passed away just a week before Declan, his chemo pal Cat needs our help as he tries to win a grant to support a cancer camp.
Please watch the short video below and vote.
https://woobox.com/vfv9i4/gallery/qHkUoFVyMIc

Cat Blyth - WestLinn, OR.

08/02/2019

Nothing better on a down day then receiving this from a parent at the hospital. ❤️🦖
Hospital food gets old quick! These grocery gift cards help families get some tasty food and a moment of peace walking to around the store.

07/31/2019

Friends it has been a long time since I have given you an update on the foundation and what has been going on...so here it is in the most unedited raw way I can put into words.

I knew for months proceeding Declan’s death that we were going to loose him. I started grieving then and will continue for the remainder of my life. Even with the support of family and my beloved therapist it is difficult!
We were hit with additional unforeseen circumstances following Declan’s death that has taken its own toll on the family.

The foundation is still active but this year I have decided to not host our Dino Dash 5k as usual in September, we will be back in 2020. Majority of all the volunteers are fellow parents affected with this horrible disease as we want to make a difference in our community we need be at our best to make this happen!

For now, my focus is on my surviving son and myself. As all of you who have followed for years Declan was a force of nature leaving us with a huge hole in our hearts.

Thank you for all the continuous love and support, messages and donations we greatly appreciate!

05/31/2019

Saturday marked 1 year since Declan left us, Tuesday marked 3 years since we were thrusted into this world of childhood cancer.

Today a package arrived containing this blanket made with love by a close family friend who I entrusted with all of Declan’s tshirts. Day after his passing I made sure all his clothes were washed and packed up knowing that I didnt want to hold onto a box of clothing now I have this. A movie strip of my little man’s most fabulous wardrobe.

I have been working privately behind the scenes helping families but also taking time to take proper care of myself and Adrian with our grief.

I promise in the coming months you will see all sorts of amazing things being posted.

05/02/2019

I think this picture is worth a 1,000 words. This is the moment captured when I found out Declan the Dinosaur Foundation was selected to receive $8,400 from 100 Women Who Care Clark County believing in our mission.

Tears of joy! I absolutely love fellow cancer momma Katie who is also pictured with me just sobbing. Her nomination and belief in me got us to this moment.

Photographer: Jenni Wilson Contact: (503) 944-9048 [email protected]

04/26/2019

If you know a family who has or still battling pediatric cancer please have them reach out to us! We are giving away tickets for the upcoming Harlem
Wizards game on May 4th! 6pm at the O’Connell Sports Complex Clark College!

The community that has formed from sharing Declan’s journey from diagnosis to death is an amazing blessing and a support.

Picture below is Declan and his “sick friends” fellow battle buddies we met through treatment and I absolutely love to share that all of them are in full remission! As I share this amazing news yes, I am sad that Declan isn’t here to celebrate with us but I know he is having quite the party in Heaven and is looking out for his friends from above.

04/17/2019

Team StegoSCOREus is going to take on the on May 4th at 6pm. Purchase your tickets today and get ready for a night of slam dunks and FUN!

04/04/2019

Ticket sales are live! May 4th comes watch our StegoSCOREus team take on the Harlem Wizards!

https://harlemwizards.thundertix.com/events/149285

Vancouver, WA Sat - May 4, 2019 - 6:00pm Please join us at O’Connel Sports Complex, located at Clark College. The game begins at 6:00 pm and the doors will open at 5:00 pm. Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. If available, tickets will be sold at the door for $15 for general admission. An...

04/03/2019

Morning everyone!
Since Declan’s passing our family has gone through a lot of changes and it has been painful beyond imagine. We just celebrated the 1st birthday without our little dino but still had an amazing day for Adrian.

I have taken time in the background working on some foundation items but now its time to celebrate Declan’s memory by continuing what we start almost 3 years ago! We will be posting more details of upcoming events we hope to see all of you out and about.

We also made an addition to our family in February! Rex has come to our home giving us lots of kisses and cuddles.

04/01/2019

Thank you to 100 Women Who Care Clark County! This amazing donation is hard at work helping families in Clark County, WA who are affected by pediatric cancer.

12/03/2018

Hi Dino followers! It has been quite awhile, last week marked 6 months since Declan left us and it is still unreal. Through all the grief amazing things still are happening.
Behind the scenes in the past two years are so many individuals and business that have supported Declan and our family but there isn't enough time to always properly thanking them.

Adrian, Declan's identical twin, who we all agree has lost the most through this chapter in life. Adrian start Kindergarten last fall I remember bringing him to school with Declan as they made plans to take bus the following year together. Mrs. Hascall stepped up in a manner I didn't even know a teacher to care so much for a student and his family.

Mrs. Hascall was in constant contact with me while I was living in the hospital, we had a rotating schedule of who would bring Adrian to and from school, different people who would spend the night with him. Mrs. Hascall was Adrian's one constant through this insane year of relapse and Declan's terminal diagnosis. She went above and beyond her class made us all sympathy cards when Declan passed away, she even skipped her own family weekend vacation to speak on Adrian's behalf at Declan's celebration of life.

Mrs. Hascall has been nominated for Life Changer of the Year, a national teacher's award. the committee reads all the comments of support left on her profile. Please take a moment and leave a comment. I would love to see Mrs. Hascall win this National Award!

http://app.lifechangeroftheyear.com/nomination_detail.cfm?NominationID=1810&NominationYear=2018&SchoolState=WA

Position: Kindergarten Teacher School: Harmony Elementary SchoolSchool District: Evergreen School District City, State: Vancouver , WA

09/30/2018

I often get asked for what are the symptoms of childhood cancers. Best thing you have is mom gut, I ignored mine for weeks and just summed it up to a growth spurt.

Recognizing early warning signs and symptoms of childhood cancer is critical to saving children's lives. Please share to help raise awareness of childhood cancer, the number one cause of death by disease for children in the United States. Whose life will you save today by sharing?

ACCO encourages you to share this poster with those you know, any local schools, doctors offices, etc. (Poster available in English, French, Spanish and other languages upon request)
Download a copy of this poster here.
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/6vyzec5asp4w5/Early_Warning_Signs_Download

Most of all, American Childhood Cancer Organization urges you as parents/guardians/caregivers to follow your intuition and be persistent. If you feel that there is something seriously wrong with your child, keep persisting until you feel you have found a doctor who is listening. 80% of all children diagnosed will have metastatic disease by the time they are diagnosed.

09/25/2018

09/25/2018

Today marks four months since I watched my oldest son take his last breathe on this earth surrounded by mom, dad, & brother.

A very small group of people will ever understand the amount of loss and pain that I carry everyday. You may see me smiling and upbeat but what you often don’t see is the pile of tissues on my nightstand or housework that piles up because I simply can’t adult at times.

This picture is from Declan’s memorial never did I think when starting a family that I would have to pull myself thoughts together to eulogize my child. Honestly, I don’t remember a lot of what I said that day. I looked into the crowd everyone uniquely affected by Declan. Of course he was perfect in my eyes as my baby but he inspired a community and by continuing to share his story we will carry his legacy onwards.

Photo credit:Capes & Crowns Foundation

09/24/2018

As race day came for the 2018 Dino Dash, it was obvious that this event was being watched down upon by Declan. 6 year old Declan passed away in May of 2018 f...

09/24/2018

Huge shout out to Capes & Crowns Foundation for capturing all these amazing moments from the Dino Dash on Saturday. Check out their page like, follow, donate! They do some incredible work!

09/24/2018

We are back again raising money to help support local families. $13,454 an amazing day with friends and family!

09/24/2018

Yesterday was amazing! The entire Declan The Dinosaur crew had a day of rest after the past 6 months of planning. We are uploading all the pictures taken on race day but we wanted to update everyone on the final total $13,454.26!!!!

You are all amazing thank you for all the love and support! We will be revealing all of our upcoming projects and support to help take a bite out of cancer! We can’t wait to see you again next September!

09/22/2018

A big Thank You to Chuck’s Produce & Street Market for donating apples and bananas for our Dino Dash runners!

09/22/2018

Dino Dash Check List!

*Registration Table opens at 8:30am there is lots of parking but we will be sharing with lots of fishermen! $3/car make sure to carpool if you can.
*Chilly with 30% chance of rain! Its the PNW we will be there rain or shine!
*10K will take off at 9:30/9:45am
*5k Runners 10am Walkers 10:10/10:15
*SWAG!!! Lots Gold!

Bring friends! Dress Up! We accept cash and checks!

Declan inspired this community and loved to give back. Bare with my tears tomorrow Declan absolutely loves this event last year but his spirit will definitely be with us!

Sponsors WE LOVE YOU! McCord's Vancouver Toyota,The Dale Chumbley Group - Your Clark County Real Estate Guide, Bloodworks Northwest, iQ Credit Union, Discovery Dental, Contoured,CrossFit Attollo!!!

09/21/2018

Only two days to go! We are looking for volunteers for day of we need you to make this event DINO-TASTIC!

Below is a link to sign up for different need areas on race day. Please message us directly if you have any questions.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f4caba92aa3ff2-dino

09/19/2018

Countdown to race day is on! Online registration ends tomorrow night at midnight!

THANK YOU to our Platinum Sponsors for helping us achieve our goal! There is still time to donate!
Let's take a bite out of Cancer!
https://give.acco.org/event/dino-dash-5k-10k-2018/e181486

McCord's Vancouver Toyota,The Dale Chumbley Group - Your Clark County Real Estate Guide,Bloodworks Northwest,iQ Credit Union

09/17/2018

Amazing news out of DC today FINALLY childhood cancer research funding has been increased from only 4% to 7% still not enough but finally some movement.

09/16/2018

Here is a feature on one of Declan’s many doctors who worked tirelessly to come up with several out of box treatments for Declan.

Eneida Nemecek, M.D., M.S., M.B.A., is a pediatric oncologist, researcher and professor who specializes in bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapies for blood cancers. She's determined to whittle the number of childhood cancers down.