Lots of stuff to write... maybe I should post more often!

I am not sure where to start--- I am going to try to be brief --!! We have been busy getting ready for the start of school--- Yes, we are 3 days into it by now and I could not be happier to get back into some kind of routine-- Summer is long when no one goes to camp and no one naps!!!

We took a quick day trip to Grandfather Mountain and everyone had fun-- It started as "we need to get out of the house because we are going to go crazy day"--- and it ended up to be a favorite spot for Grier-- He really liked the mile-high bridge and the bears!

About a week ago, we met with Grier's wish granters from Make-a-Wish-- I think he really enjoyed the visit and has no idea about his wish--- he says "Disney" one minute and the next minute it is a remote control helicopter that is on TV! We are going to wait to see if Disney is really his wish!! It is hard to explain to him about a "wish"-- We are hoping with time he will learn the concept and come up with something--- The visit was fun and I am sure exhausting for the granters, Deb and Chris--- Grier had Chris busy outside playing golf, soccer, and baseball and then brought him inside to play wii bowling -- He was asked a lot of questions about his likes and dislikes-- As you all know all of that could change tomorrow--- That is the great thing about being 4-- So.. as you can see we are taking it slow to make sure Grier chooses something he wants-

The CureSearch Milestones walk is coming along--- It is going to be great and HUGE!!-- lots of fun things for families to participate in while raising awareness of pediatric cancer in our community--- I really thought I would have a full team by now!! I guess with vacation and school starting --- things are slow--- You all still have time--- If you want to make a team of your own that is fine too-- the more the merrier! Go to www.milestoneswalk.org to register--- This is an event you do not want to miss! This a not a competitive 5k-- so all abilities are able to participate--- And if you do not live in Charlotte you can join GGG as a virtual walker! Each team will wear their own T's--- so if you have a GGG T--- you have to join the team! If you do not--- Kerri still has a few-- email her if you want one--rnorwood@comporium.net

Also-- There is a 5k Fall Festival at Myers Park Baptist Church on Sept 6th--- go to www.cornwellcenter.org for more info--- All proceeds will go to Charlotte's Ronald MacDonald House--- I have tried to attach the brochure but can not figure out how to do it--- Anyway, This is a great cause that is near and dear to our heart due to the amount of time we spent in the Ronald in NY-- not quite sure what we would do without it!--- so we are excited Charlotte is getting one for families that are treated at LCH and Hemby--

More to come later-- my carpool duty is calling!!!

How is Grier doing???

OK-- I know most of you check this blog to see how Grier is doing-- and I have forgotten to post that the last few times so I will try to catch everyone up!! I promise I will not do too many PSA's on this post!

Grier went to the clinic last Friday just to have his port flushed-- I say "JUST"-- but actually it is a big deal if you have ever had to watch it-- I told him in the morning after breakfast-- because I knew that would ruin his appetite--- He started to ask lots of questions and we put the "magic cream" on his button--- I know-- some of you have no idea what I am talking about-- but anyway-- we ( all 4 of us)-- headed to the clinic and the discussion in the car was about being brave-- Mostly led by Hayes--- which I know amuses some of you-- :)-- Grier was a little more relaxed and not so anxious so I was hopeful this would be a quick trip-- Grier has a game face -- I guess we both do at this point-- he tends to be shy and ignore people and I tend to have that "grin" on my face! They called him back and the nurse came in with all her supplies-- Grier sat on my lap-- and clinched his face into a "grin" and it was over---Yes... we made it with no screaming and kicking! I did have them draw a tube of blood so I could send it to NY for HAMA #'s-- I was relived and started to pack up and then....GRACE--- said she didn't feel good-- I looked at her and she had no color in her face-- Our nurse quickly got her something to drink and sat her down--- She was fine after a few minutes--- We had a few laughs about it later-- I had to tell her how many times I have done that in my life and she was OK with it!

This week we had to go back to the clinic for a doctor's visit--- really a check-up.... or --"this is what we have done in NY for the last few months and here he is in person kinda visit!!" Grier was so much more relaxed because he knew his port did not have to be accessed --- It made the visit entertaining for some--- I am not sure they have seen the real Grier in a long time! He has gained weight-- he is now up to 35lbs-- and grew a tiny bit in height--- I asked about it and I was reminded that Jeff and I are not tall--- really did not need that reminder-- KNOW that all too well! We talked about what we do NOW--- I am not a fan of sitting and waiting--- but that is what we are going to do-- Dr. M will call NY and see what the tests said about immunizations-- once again there are two schools of thoughts about re-immunizations--- so we talked out that-- I was reminded that we chose to go "the NY way" --( And if we had to choose again -- it would be the same decision!)-- And to sum up the visit--- he looks good! He has the green light to go to preschool-- and we will do monthly check ups in Charlotte- We will go back in 3 weeks and have a check-up and get his port flushed-- In Oct. (first week)-- we will go to NY for a full work-up-- So.. that is it on the medical front---

Just one bit of information regarding the CureSearch walk on Nov.15th-- I have had some questions about how to join the team online---- I think it is a bit confusing too-- so I hope this helps--
Go to www.milestoneswalk.org
click CHARLOTTE walk
go to join a team
you can put in the % sign and hit search and the teams should come up---
Then you should see Go,Grier,Go---- it has to be just like this or it will not show up
click join when you see the name
It then will prompt you to do a page-- I think it is $10 to walk and it says you have to have a minimum of $200 as your goal-- They will not hold you to this-- But if you or anyone plans to walk you must be registered-- Also-- for the friends and supporters that are out of town-- you can join the team as a virtual walker---

I hope that helps-- I know it still sounds confusing-
Thanks to all that are working on helping-- Posters are being put out and sponsors have been recruited!!
Enjoy the last fews days of summer break---
AVC

"Let me know what I can do to help"

You guys have said it for months.... So I am asking!

I NEED HELP-- I recently put information on the blog (www.gogriergo.com) about the upcoming CURESEARCH walk coming to CHARLOTTE @ Freedom Park on Nov. 15th-- I asked you all to join our team--- OR make a team of your own-- I also need help in other ways to support this event--

Here is what I need you help with--

1) SPONSORS--- If you know of a business that would like to SPONSOR this walk--- This is a national charity that supports children's cancer research--- We have two hospitals in our area that are COG hospitals (Children's Oncology Group)-- Levine and Presbyterian-
There are several different levels of Sponsorship -- Please think about businesses that you know-- I would love to see Bank of America, Wachovia, Target, Lowes, Carolina Panthers, Bobcats-- Possibilities are endless-- CHARLOTTE is BIG-- And it would be nice to show everyone that Charlotte thinks children are a priority- So.. if you have connections with ANY businesses in the area please encourage them to support this cause--- I have forms and contact information--Think Local and National ---

2) POSTERS-- I have a lot of posters that need to be placed around the Charlotte area-- Getting the word out about this walk is a huge priority--

BUT Amy... "we already support the American Cancer Society... and we plan to support the STANDUP2cancer cause on Sept. 5th--" -------
Well--- that is great but if you want to support children than you need to look closely at those causes and see how much goes to pediatric research-- ACS-- is a 2 star charity --($0.22 of every $1.00 the ACS funds goes to breast cancer. Colo-rectal, prostate, lung, leukemia and lymphoma all check in at $0.13 to $0.09. The lowest is childhood cancer at $0.03 for every $1.00 the ACS funds)-- Curesearch is a 4 star charity and 98 cents of every dollar goes to research of ALL pediatric cancers- Sept. 5th will be a huge media blitz about cancer but they are forgetting to partner with a pediatric non-profit group -- Strange... when this a #1 killer of CHILDREN-- And we wonder why there has not been a new cancer drug in 20 years for children--- We need to make it a priority just like breast and colon cancer are in this country-


But what about NB research?--- I am not asking you to choose--- Curesearch covers all pediatric cancers -- In September, there will be many ways to help NB research by buying cookies--- or holding bake sales---- Easy enough huh? I am excited about getting the word out-- but I quickly get disappointed when I ask for help and nothing happens or I get told that we do not like to adopt a specific charity because we can not tell one yes and then others NO--- well--- Now you know why things in the pediatric cancer world has stayed the same and why kids lose their battle---

Please think about where you work.. where your kids go to school or preschool or daycare--- where you worship.. different groups you are involved in... YMCA, YWCA... and encourage them to make or join a team-- or even go the extra mile and help by sponsoring, putting up posters, or helping the day of the event-
Thanks-- email me with any questions--
amychristenbury@carolina.rr.com

Save the DATE --

I wanted to let EVERYONE know that this first-ever event is coming to Charlotte on Nov.15th--

There will be so many ways to help-- !! Please save the date and come out to Freedom Park to support Childhood Cancer Research--

Go, Grier, Go!--- will have a team-- Please join it online--- I will send out an email in the coming weeks--

Please help spread the word about this event to all of your friends, co-workers, neighbors, businesses, church, schools, sports organizations, and family--- We have a chance to show how much the Charlotte Community cares about Children and PEDIATRIC cancer--

Grier's team--- go to www.milestoneswalk.org

Join the team by entering-- grier = username
gogriergo=password

OR make your own team ----

More to come soon--
Amy


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First-ever Charlotte “MileStones Walk” to Raise
Awareness and Funds for Childhood Cancer Research

Hundreds Touched by Cancer to Participate in November 15th Event

August 8, 2008 (Wilmington, DE) – CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation will host the first-ever Charlotte MileStones Walk on Saturday, November 15 at Freedom Park, to benefit lifesaving childhood cancer research conducted by the Children’s Oncology Group, the world’s premier pediatric cancer research collaborative. The Children’s Oncology Group treats more than 90 percent of children with cancer in North America.

The MileStones Walk for Childhood Cancer is a fundraising event that unites people in the fight to reach the day when every child with cancer can be guaranteed a cure. Directly or indirectly, nearly everyone knows a child or family who has been touched by childhood cancer, the #1 cause of death from disease in children. Every school day, another 46 children, about two classrooms of students, are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. MileStones walks emphasize fellowship and sense of community.

“We invite everyone in the Charlotte area to come out on November 15th and be part of the cure for childhood cancer,” said Sharon Sullivan, event chair.

“The loss of even one more child to cancer is one too many. The money we raise will go toward research that will end this disease. Fifty years ago, the cure rate for childhood cancer was less than 10%, now it is approaching 80%. But we will not stop until we get to 100%, and can guarantee every child with cancer the gift of a long and healthy life.”

“CureSearch thanks the Charlotte community for hosting this event,” added Stacy Pagos Haller, Executive Director of CureSearch. “It’s a great way to come together and honor those children and families who are affected by childhood cancer.”

Registration opens in Freedom Park at 9:00 am. Opening ceremonies and the walk begin promptly at 10:00 am.

For more information about the Charlotte MileStones Walk for Childhood Cancer, visit www.milestoneswalk.org, or contact Natalie Cole, National Events Manager, at (240) 235-2215 or Natalie.cole@curesearch.org.



# # #

About CureSearch

CureSearch seeks to conquer childhood cancer, conquer it sooner, conquer it fully and for all time. Through public education, advocacy and fundraising, the National Childhood Cancer Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3), supports the work of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the world’s premier pediatric cancer research collaborative. This network of more than 5,000 healthcare professionals dedicates their lives to finding answers and sharing results. More than 12,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, and more than 40,000 children and adolescents are currently in treatment. Only research cures cancer. For more information, visit www.CureSearch.org.

I can not believe it is August!! Our time at home is flying by as well as summer! -- I guess because we are staying so busy--- The kids and I went to HHI with the Caldwells last week- Jeff came down for the weekend to enjoy the craziness! - As you can see from the pictures Grier had a great time-- He took his last Accutane pill ( hopefully!) on Sunday and we were very careful when were out in the sun-- it did not take long for him to burn even with SPF 70-- I think we spent more time applying "scumscream" than actual time in the sun-- Oh Well!-- we made it all week with skin intact and not burned-- Before we went, he WAS a little cautious around water but after this week I can safely say he will need some swim lesson ASAP-- He was crazy in the water-- trying to copy everyone he saw--! When we asked him what his favorite part was-- he said... The boat ride (we went on a dolphin watch), The Deer Hunts ( a Caldwell tradition!), Putt-Putt, swimming, bike riding, and going to the beach and seeing some "star fishes"--- as you can see we were busy! So busy that for a brief moment we almost forgot about the last year! I did lose a little sleep when he woke up at 3am and threw up-- but he quickly fell asleep and I just waited for more--.... he ended up sleeping until 10am that morning-- who knows WHY?-- but it does bring back memories of how all of this started- And of course-- I was reminded when my phone rang and it was Memorial Sloan- Kettering....My stomach almost dropped because I had no idea why they would be calling--- All they had to tell me was that we are scheduled for scans the week of Oct. 6th---Ahhh! Didn't they know I was on vacation from all of that!

This week-- we need to go to our clinic here in Charlotte-- I think I will have them do a HAMA blood test so we can send it off-- just to see if his numbers have decreased-- I also just want to touch base with the Doctors here so we are all on the same page-- That is about it on the medical front--

Thanks to all that donated to The Band of Parents--- Since I have some downtime now-- I am going to be working on getting the word out ( you may get sick of reading soon!!)--- Pediatric Cancer Funds need to be raised-- I am also working on some other things and have been offered some help by Senator Rucho-- NC can do more for families dealing with this-

Thanks for checking in on Grier--- Please remember our friends, Isabella and Liam, who are fighting really hard right now--