Do you dream BIG?

I am pretty sure I would classify my self as a dream big kind of person.... I don't want to do something little when the need is HUGE.  I tend to have people around me that share the same idea and drive because there are some days I just can't give 100% to anything.... and other days I get so much done it is unbelievable-  Lesa and worked well together on the last fundraiser in September.... 30 straight days of fundraising..... it was a lot of fun and a lot of work but well worth it in the end when we sent a check to cookies for kids cancer for over $15,000--- We can call September our warm up to the Dec. 4th Bake Sale @ Blackhawk & Birkdale ( Julie Sparks and her team did an awesome job with the Birkdale location... weather was so much worse for them)-- Lesa and I like to do this event with minimal to no expenses... because every dollar spent on fluff does not go into the hands of a researcher that is working on a promising clinical trial for children.  We are so pleased to announce that the hard work by all of you that volunteered in some way to help us have a successful bake sale has paid off. Our bake sale total is over $35,000-this TOTAL does NOT include the two matches-- We are thrilled and excited that we have raised this kind of dough with "some cookies"!!  All of this money will go to pediatric cancer research in hopes of finding better treatments and a cure... We could not have had this record breaking sale without each of you helping us -- THANK YOU!  We broke the record that Richmond, VA held from the bake sale they had on Sept. 11, 2010-- we love friendly competition like this especially since the real winner are the scientist that are working hard on ideas for children and they are just waiting for funding to get their ideas to the bedside.  Charlotte has had several bake sales for Cookies for Kids Cancer... this bake sale also beat the one at Taylor's Finish Line Festival as well as more than doubling the last year's bake sale at Reid's and Blackhawk.  WAY TO GO Charlotte and Birkdale--- This is quite a feat since we did this with no help from the media -- we actually got more money today from a mini bake sale & and live nativity scene in the Foxcroft Neighborhood. who would believe that we raised $35,000 from offering cookies for a donation??.... we also had a great group of raffle items and silent auction items BUT $35K??? Sometimes I just can't believe it.... but when I allow myself to dream big - I never doubted it would be huge-- We are already thinking about next year... WHY?? Because the need for funding is HUGE... and until we all make the commitment to children fighting cancer the need will remain HUGE.

ok-- enough of that soap box... good thing I wrote that days ago because after the recent events with friends I would not be so upbeat-- Neuroblastoma just sucks!!!  Grier has been doing really well-- we managed the BIG D side effect of chemo with lots of Imodium..and his counts have stayed in the good range... He had another finger prick today and the news was the same... good counts!  The other exciting... hmm, not sure exciting is the right word... but the NEWS from NYC is that Grier's blood test came back and he is HAMA negative again.  That is all we know... Since he is "due" for his scans in January this may add other options for the NB team... meaning besides this low-dose chemo that he has been on for the last six months and waiting for his immune system to kick in so he could qualify for the phase 1 vaccine trial... he could now do 3F8 (again)! Grier heard me ask Dr. McMahon if the vaccine would be better to try or should I push for 3F8?  He answers... I AM NOT DOING 3F8 again!!! He caught us both off -guard... and Dr. M just shook his head and said it is not right he evens knows what 3F8 is!  I said... oh, being 6 1/2 is going to be fun... and then I asked Grier, what is 3F8?  He said it was when he had to go in a room by himself and they lined up lights on him and SHUT the door and left him in there by himself ( can you tell he does not like to be by himself?)... whew!!.. he was not talking about 3F8.. but radiation!!! Not that it is any better he knows what that is but 3F8 is a lot worse! I asked more questions about what to pursue next... I even asked if we should look into CHOP ( children's hospital of Philly) to see if they have anything we should try... and the answer is good and bad... the good is Grier has had a positive response to chemo every time he has relapsed.  The bad is.. keeping him clean is the needle in the haystack we are looking for and the rest of the Neuroblastoma world.  He suggested we could do a bone marrow transplant now... but there is nothing proven that this would keep him clean.. and we would be burning lots of bridges doing that! So... we are still in a good/bad spot.... I know it could be worse..  We are going to enjoy the holidays and then get scans done and I am sure we will have a treatment plan.  January will be spent in NYC for scans... and who knows what else...I am going to email tomorrow and start the scheduling process.. I think I am close enough to Christmas that there is NO chance to have to leave town in December!!

3 more days and Christmas will be here... I am more than ready!!! After a slow start mainly due to the bake sale being my priority-- we are finally a little ready.  I did not decorate as much... I decided it was ok.... I can't do everything and as they say "something has to give"--- I am a master of that phrase now... I did throw together a photo card... mainly because Grace reminded me that I did not do a card last year... I think she missed it the most.  We got our tree last weekend in the rain... and put some of our ornaments on it.... when the kids were tired of hanging them I decided that it was a "perfect tree" and we were done! Grier will be a Shepard in the Children's Christmas Eve service... he has written his letter to Santa... and we will bake some cookies before Christmas Eve for Santa... well, maybe... might just go buy some :)  I can't wait to see them open presents on Christmas morning... I am sure I will get to see a reaction from Grier.... can't wait to share a picture!  ( NO... it is not a LIVE puppy!!-- I am crazy but not THAT crazy...)

My favorite gift this year was the HUGE donation we mailed to Cookies For Kids Cancer... It was a gift of Hope from the Charlotte/Huntersvile community... that needle in the haystack needs to be found... and knowing 100% of this donation is going to fund trials for children gives me hope... Merry Christmas Eve everyone....we wish you all Peace, HOPE and Health in the new year~

Grier finished his week of chemo last Friday.  He had a pretty uneventful week in the infusion room... his best part was decorating a gingerbread house... It was a welcome break from tracing team logos for me... I am so glad he wanted to change up the routine we have been in for the last 6 weeks of chemo!!  Here is a fun fact-- I got a THIS IS NOT A BILL from Blue Cross/Blue Shield today-- last week's 5day chemo aka as 1 1/2 hour infusion each day cost $15K!!!!!    I am sure they LOVE us... we have done this 6 times!!!!  Tuesday he got nauseous as we got ready to leave the clinic but we just hung out for a little bit until the wave passed... and then went home and he never mentioned it again.  He had his kindergarten Holiday program that night and dressed up and sang songs with this class... He was very proud of himself and I was just amazed he just kept going after the week he had with the infusions.  We went to the clinic yesterday to check his counts and so far he has not really been affected by this chemo--- I am sure it is doing something in his body... well, I hope.. because we are infusing him with poison.  Our friend on the same chemo has had low counts and hair loss again... it is just crazy how the same drugs affect everyone differently... I still can not believe that we are up to the 17th week of chemo since this HELL started over 3 years ago--  Yesterday at the clinic was another milestone.... Grier sat in the IV procedure room in a chair by himself and had his finger pricked.... THIS IS HUGE in our world--- I can not tell you how many times I have had to hold him down while he screamed and BIG tears came down his cheeks.... He was very proud to share this news with his brother and sister.... they were not so impressed.  Last week we mailed a vial of blood to NYC to be tested for HAMA-- I think that 3F8 may be an option for him again-- now we just wait to see if he is HAMA negative again.  I am reliving last year a little... it was last December that we lived in NYC -- Grier did 3F8 and radiation so we were there for almost 4 weeks... Christmas in NYC is fun... I was wishing we were at Radio City Music Hall watching Christmas Spectacular again.... and walking the streets smelling the Christmas Trees as we walked around the city... This is actually the first December since we started this journey that we have not been in the city for a little while... I guess I should be thrilled but some of our new traditions are in NYC-

Other than school, chemo, doctor appointments and wrestling with his brother.... Grier has added Golf after school... he seemed to love it today... but also said it was boring because he knows it all-- LOL!!

I have been very busy with Lesa wrapping up the bake sale.  You would not believe the donations that are still coming in daily for Cookie For Kids Cancer.  I have to keep recounting our total..... Today we heard the total from Birkdale ( our satellite location) and they did an awesome job-- almost $10K-- considering the weather was much worse than ours and they were not covered it is more than great!!! I am so glad Julie helped us make that happen with all her friends--  Julie's son, Adam even had a hospital stay for nutepenia days before the sale.... and she still pulled off a great bake sale!!!
We have lots of stories from the bake sale... My favorite is the email I got from friends that told us they had a donation to give to CFKC at the bake sale.  Their kids had been given money from their Grandparents to make a donation to a charity of their choice and the girls chose our bake sale--- I also got an email from friends that moved to PA and wanted to do something to help but since they were not in town they decided to have a HOT CHOCOLATE stand for CFKC-- Needless to say it was very successful and they helped spread lots of awareness and raised a lot of money to go towards our total donation.
T-shirt sales have been picking up too--- We are almost out of Adult T's BUT have tons of kids T's--- nothing would make me happier... than to sell all of these before we send our check to CFKC this week! Want one or ten??? email me .... amychristenbury@att.net

I am looking forward to saying good-bye to 2010!!! I think this year has been one of the toughest since we started this journey.... not just from a personal standpoint but also from watching what our friends from both clinics have gone through.  I hope 2011 brings better luck for us and maybe gives us the courage we need to make some changes --being "stuck" in quicksand is getting old!- and gives us a well-deserved break from the roller coaster ride called NB--- I know... we have to stay in top of it ... but it would be nice to be in control again.

Buy a cookie!

Buy a cookie!

Posted by CW Editor on December 9, 2010 in News | 0 Comment

Bake sale raises money for pediatric cancer research

by Sarah Gilbert and Mike Parks

Shoppers at the Cookies For Kids’ Cancer research fundraiser event in south Charlotte Saturday, Dec. 4, had lots of treats to pick from. Cookies, brownies and cupcakes were crowd favorites.

Hundreds of south Charlotte bakers, volunteers and cookie lovers came together Saturday, Dec. 4, to raise money for pediatric cancer research with the third annual Cookies for Kids’ Cancer bake sale, raffle and silent auction.

Amy Christenbury and Lesa Helbein spearheaded the event, along with Christenbury’s children, Hayes, 13, a seventh-grader at Alexander Graham Middle School, Grace, 11, a fifth-grader at Selwyn Elementary School and Grier, 6, a kindergartner at Selwyn.

Doctors diagnosed Grier with stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a nerve cell cancer, in 2007.  He was 2 years old. Since then, the family has worked to raise awareness for the fight that Grier and so many other children face.

The bake sale, which organizers held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Blackhawk Hardware in the Park Road Shopping Center, raised thousands of dollars for pediatric cancer research, as hundreds of people milled around, searching through baskets of treats for the perfect choice.

“The event took months to plan and required lots of legwork, phone calls and emails,” Christenbury said.  “We had 23 local bakeries help out, plus about 100 moms who baked items.  It was cold on Saturday, but it was really crowded and it all went really well.”

The event was packed with volunteers, including Grayson Cassels and Sara Kathryn McCormick, who are both students at Charlotte Country Day School.

Cassels and McCormick were in charge of pulling the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Little Red Wagon around the shopping center, braving the cold and maneuvering between large crowds to peddle their cookies and brownies.

“Everything we raise goes toward research,” McCormick, who goes to church with the Christenbury family, said proudly. “We’re doing it in honor of Grier.”

South Charlotte girls brave the cold weather Saturday, Dec. 4, to serve as the first line of attack at the Cookies For Kids’ Cancer fundraiser bake sale at the Park Road Shopping Center. The event, like others held by the south Charlotte nonprofit, was aimed at raising money to support pediatric cancer research.

Three girls stood outside the fundraiser, trying to lure in potential customers with signs and baskets. Customers pulled up and bought baked goods from the girls, who were dressed as cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies.

Bakers from Polka Dot Bake Shop, Nova, Tizzerts, Suarez and others turned out on Saturday to sell their confections and help the Charlotte community raise money.

The event offered a wide variety of baked goods, as well as a raffle and silent auction that included NASCAR tickets, gift cards to local restaurants and spas and art from local artists such as Anne Neilson, Pam Anderson, Caroline Simas and Windy O’Connor.

The event organizers will donate 100 percent of the money raised to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

While organizers are still working to calculate the total generated by the event, Christenbury said they raised at least $20,000 on Saturday alone.  Earlier contributions and proceeds from a satellite bake sale held at Birkdale Village in Huntersville have yet to be factored in, and Christenbury said that, days later, people are still sending in donations.

“These events are all volunteer-driven and all of the money goes to research,” Christenbury said.  “Our donation will be matched by both Bank of America and Glad, so it’s easy to see how a couple of cookies can turn into a huge donation.”

According to the organization’s website, the goal of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is, “raising funds to support research for new and improved therapies for pediatric cancer. Through the concept of local bake sales, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer provides the inspiration and support for individuals, communities, and businesses to help fight pediatric cancer.”

For more information, visit www.cookiesforkidscancer.org/.

I wanted to do a little "bake sale update before my crazy week starts tomorrow-- Grier will be doing chemo all week-- so we will again be in our routine of "kindergarten/chemo"  I also got a message from our doctor that NYC wants them to send blood to test for HAMA --- I am hoping he is HAMA negative so we can move to something other than chemo--we are also pretty close to the next set of three month scans...  I know he will have to scan before the next treatment is decided. Looks like they are adding 3F8 to the vaccine option now---

OK-- we are still counting money but we are over $15k at this point.... we have not added the satellite location, Birkdale yet... so stayed tuned.  Saturday was a great day.... the only thing that could have made it better would have been the weather.... Wouldn't it be nice to be able to control that too?? It would be scary to think how well we could do on a sunny day.... last year's bake sale was rainy too--- I will post pictures soon.... I don't have that many so if you were at the bake sale and taking pictures.. please send me some.

THANKS to everyone that helped us pull this BAKE SALE off-- more to come later...

Amy

ps-- We have tons of T's left-- we are selling them and the money goes into our bake sale total--
They are $5 each for ANYONE that baked, volunteered, donated raffle items or DID ANYTHING to help us-- $10-- for EVERYONE else :)  Please email me if you would like a T- let me know what size... and I will leave it for you ... or send it to you- amychristenbury@att.net

If you would like to donate to our online giving page...

To make  a SECURE ONLINE DONATION WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD... COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK--

http://cookiesforkidscancer.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=442828&lis=1&kntae442828=6F25D816A54A4D5B90C414151A965933&supId=0&team=3988660&cj

ONE MORE DAY UNTIL WE HOPE TO CHANGE SOME LIVES WITH A BAKE SALE!

I am getting ready to tell you all about the Cookies For Kids Cancer Bake sale which is TOMORROW-- but first I wanted to show you this picture of Grier with his new FAUX-HAWK!!! The last time he lost his hair due to chemo I promised him a MO-HAWK so this is what we have tried first to make sure he wanted it-- He LOVES it!!! He went to bed last night SO worried that is was going to get messed up-- Tonya made his night... and he has been grinning ever since... 

Here is a little glimpse of Thanksgiving in Kindergarten.... Grier also help the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte make their cards this year for Thanksgiving... I forgot to mention that... They turned out really cute.  

ok-- TOMORROW is the....

 3rd ANNUAL COOKIES FOR KIDS CANCER BAKE SALE

@ BLACKHAWK HARDWARE

PARK ROAD SHOPPING CENTER

10-5pm

1000's of HOMEMADE BAKED GOODS

23 local bakeries represented ( Polka Dot Bake Shop, Tizzerts, Dean and Deluca, EarthFare, Great Harvest, NOVA, Sunflower Bakery, Skinny Cakes, Cakes by Allison, Edible Art and MANY MORE)

There is a satellite location at BIRKDALE across from SANTA TOMORROW as well from 

12-6pm

100% of the DONATIONS will go to CFKC and they will fund research for PEDIATRIC CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS- 100%!!!

This is a great place to buy you holiday gifts for friends and neighbors.... YOU make a donation to CFKC and then as a THANK YOU take some bake goods HOME for you or to SHARE!

The BLACKHAWK location will have face painting, tattoos, a firetruck, colored hair extensions by T. Reid, nail painting by snip-its, cookie decorating from Suarez Bakery etc.... 

Both locations have an AWESOME RAFFLE --- ITEMS that you are going to be so excited about-  Don't forget to check out that table when you come.  

T-shirts will be sold at both events.. kids and Adult sizes..... we will have have "caps for a cure"-they will have BOTTLE cap necklaces--- 

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO HELP?? We need your help telling everyone that you know to come to BLACKHAWK on Saturday from 10-5 Please email friends, Neighbors, teams, schools, churches and let them know about the BAKE SALE-- POST it on your FB page or Twitter...

 CASH ONLY?????? Checks ARE accepted…. Please make them out to Cookies For Kids Cancer.  Ask your company about matching your gift. 

To make  a SECURE ONLINE DONATION WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD... COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK--

http://cookiesforkidscancer.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=442828&lis=1&kntae442828=6F25D816A54A4D5B90C414151A965933&supId=0&team=3988660&cj

What are you going to do with the left overs???  Well-- we are hoping we will sell OUT--- but if your place of business would like to make a bid on all the leftovers...let Lesa or Amy know---- They would be great as a holiday treat for your office!

COME HELP US CHANGE THE STATISTICS ABOUT PEDIATRIC CANCERS ONE COOKIE AT A TIME!!!

Another L O N G overdue update..... 

I used to be so good at Updates... not sure what has happened... well~ I do know... that team of helpers I used to have is GONE.... :) Just Kidding... just the craziness of "New Normal"  and planning a bake sale have me a little pre-occupied.... don't get me wrong.. if I could take the time machine BACK 4 years I would in a second.... I used to have a life before the NB word entered my vocabulary...

Ok-- An Update... School, last soccer games, last baseball games, some more 1/2 day kindergarten, LOTS of appointments at the doctor, more CHEMO, a mini vacation to Florida, Thanksgiving, and BAKE SALE planning.... there you go-- an update!!! I almost laugh reading this ... it sounds so crazy... 

Grier finished chemo last Thursday... and we left town and headed to Florida with some friends to see the App/Florida Football game.. The trip started with a BANG... really... A LARGE BIRD flew into our windshield in Savannah on the way to Daytona!!! Grier claims he learned to swim in a jacuzzi-- and both boys keep me on my medical toes searching about portugese man o war stings!!! Grier came home with a Tebow Jersey...  We had a great time... and came home for Thanksgiving.  

This week will be crazy... but thankfully Grier only has 1 appointment at the clinic.  It is 100% BAKE SALE this week-- Saturday will be here before we know it!  Next week is a possible CHEMO week.... I would say definately ... but I guess there is a chance NYC will say come to NYC... As much as I love NYC in December it will ROCK my world to have to go before Christmas... so we are in the forever waiting game... 


I think I have written this entry before.... It must be the Ground Hog Day effect....  December is here...and I am having a hrd time remembering last year... I was gone the entire month.... Grier and I lived with my mom at the RMDH and partied every night after treatments during the day.... I know my house was decorated as soon as we got home from NYC...I also know I decided not to do Christmas cards last year... but this year I am trying..... 

That is it--- a crazy update about our crazy life....

Please plan on coming to the 3rd Annual Cookies For Kids Cancer Bake Sale on Saturday, Dec. 4th @ Blackhawk Hardware from 10-5

Lots of yummy baked goodies,,, raffle items ( NASCAR tickets, spa, Dinners, jewelry, kids items).. and a very special Art silent Auction. 
100% of the donations will go to funding less toxic and more effective treatments for children battling cancer.

I promise my updates will make more sense when I am not multitasking....  soon very soon...

soory NO time to PROOF this.... 
Amy

Save the Date--- MAKE a DONATION TO PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH and take home some yummy baked goods or WIN AWESOME RAFFLE ITEMS

Two days of chemo done... Grier is doing ok--- He started with a side effect on day one... but so far we have it controlled with immodium. 
Jeff took him to the hospital on Sunday for the infusion.  It went well-- we lucked out with one of the nurses we really like... and that helped me relax knowing everything was going to be ok.... I gave Jeff a "list"-- it had medicines Grier takes.... and other important things that help -- I even sent the dressing Grier likes for his port... it was good for the "boys" to do this together.... They were busy doing Football logos--- and Grier  kept telling Jeff "that is not how mom does it~"
I stayed home with Grace and Hayes and got them to their activities.... and tried to organize the house.... I also planted flowers because the pots had been dead and empty for a long time.... and this has been on my list of things to do---  
Saturday was a fun day... Grier played in his final soccer game of the season.... got his trophy and was very excited... He went to Dale Jarret Ford and sat in a mustang cobra... and had a good time... and then went to the driving range to hit golf balls.... For dinner we went to Pizza Peel---every Saturday in November a part of their proceeds will go to Cookies For Kids Cancer.  Last Saturday, Beth played live music and we had fun.  My kids are still talking about how they loved Pizza Peel--- Lesa and I did some "car decorating"-- We have painted about 10 cars now all with Bake Sale information on the windows.... Have you seen any around town? 

Bake Sale Update-- The planning is still going well.... we have lots of bakers but we always could use more.  We do need some help from 3-6 to help work the tables at BlackHawk and clean up--- 

And we need help getting the word out in the community.... we would love to send the information through school email --- Since we all go to different schools I need your help reaching out to the person in charge of the email--- we can not send flyers home due to the cost that would involve.... so an information email is the best.

Raffle items are slowly coming in--- we are excited with some of the new ones we got last week... several pieces of Art from various local artists like Windy O'Connor, Pam Anderson, Caroline Simas (Multiple Blessings) and Anne Neilson--  We are still looking for gift certificates and "baskets" from local stores--- 

Please let me know if you can help spread the word about the bake sale-- 
Amy

Charlotte's 3RD Annual Cookies For Kids Cancer Bake Sale Dec. 4th 10-5

A BRIEF UPDATE-- with LOTS OF INFORMATION & LINKS

I FORGOT TO TELL YOU THAT WE RAISED OVER $17,000 FOR COOKIES FOR KIDS CANCER IN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER--- 30 days.. 30 businesses and ALL OF YOU!!!! THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT AND PARTICIPATED IN 30 DAYS FOR A CURE-- and a special THANK YOU to those 30 "good cookies" in our community that donated a portion of their sales during childhood cancer awareness month..

A VIDEO TO GET YOU IN THE BAKE SALE SPIRIT!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO HELP AT THE BAKE SALE

STAY IN THE LOOP via FACEBOOK about the BAKE SALE-- click "LIKE"

ONLINE DONATIONS for CHARLOTTE'S 3rd ANNUAL CFKC BAKE SALE

It has been a LONG time since I updated.... I can not believe we are two weeks away from Thanksgiving.... where does time go??? Here is a quick update... Halloween was great... pumpkins were carved and Grier got LOTS of candy when he went trick or treating.... ate some the first night and has basically forgot about it!!  He went to school for almost a full week-- he ended up missing Friday-- he didn't feel well-- I thought it was chemo finally rearing it's ugly head... but it ended up to be a virus... or so they think!  Who knows.... hard to tell when the side effects of chemo also mimic a virus.... He missed Monday as well-- that is when he really felt bad again.  I took him to the clinic to make sure he was not getting dehydrated and they took blood and gave him a bag of fluids through his port-- that seemed to perk him up a little.  They also told me to get him some sugar--- his sugar and potassium was LOW--- so he requested Smoothie King... and after that he seemed to recover!! I think it is really funny what he listens to now at these appointments... because today he wanted a piece of candy and told MacLean he needed a piece because he had LOW sugars-- ha! ha!  I am going to be extra careful not to be in the same room when we have some of our other discussions.  During those few days of low fever and the BIG D I could not help to think this is how all this started in 2007--- off and on feeling bad... just like a virus... I am sure the clinic knew what I was thinking too--- I was asking a lot of questions without asking the "do you think it could be NB again?"  I do wish there was one day when a normal headache or virus did not make me think of NB!

Besides school, sports, carpools, chemo -- I have been helping Lesa plan the Bake Sale that is going to take place on Saturday December 4th at Blackhawk Hardware--- whew... I wish I could type all that we have been doing.... but since I am a S-L-O-W typist I will spare you all the details.... BUT it is going to be an awesome FAMILY EVENT and we HOPE to raise lots of "dough" for pediatric cancer research. I can assure you that you will not want to miss the awesome raffle items we will have this year--- and BAKED Goods from 30 local Bakeries and friends --
We do need some help---- please email me (amychristenbury@att.net or Lesa Helbein lesa.helbein@gmail.com ) if you would like to help in anyway.... WE NEED BAKERS.... you do not have to bake a lot.... a pie, or a cake--- or a few dozen cookies or brownies would be great!
We have a website that we would like you to go to --- you will see where the needs are and are able to sign up through that site-  I put the link at the top of gogriergo.com-- BLOG 11/11/10 PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD THROUGH YOUR SCHOOLS, SPORTS LEAGUES, CHURCHES, and ANY GROUP YOU BELONG TO-

ok-- that is about all I can update right now!  Grier starts chemo again on SUNDAY--- YES... THIS Sunday.... I feel like we just finished the last cycle--- these two cycles have gone very fast.... I guess we are close to going back to NYC and seeing if he qualifies for any clinical trial---


DON'T FORGET.......... THIS SATURDAY NOV. 13th PIZZA PEEL @ COTSWOLD-- BETH WILLIAMS aka Miss "BEFF" by Grier and other FIRST PRES WDS kids--- WILL BE SINGING 5:30-7:30--

We have also partnered with The Pizza Peel on Colwick Rd. in Cotswold! During the month of November, they will be donating a portion of their proceeds to CFKC every single Sat.!  We have lots of fun things planned for the kids & adults!  We will have Corn Hole games, Wii Bowling & Dance, Balloon Artist, etc.  Also, mark your calendars….Beth Williams(Mrs. Beth) will be playing from 5:30-7:30 on Sat., Nov 13^th!  You can also pick up ‘Take & Bake’ Dinners for 4 for $25 throughout the month of November….just be sure you mention ‘Cookies’ or Go Grier Go!.

4 weeks to go....

Chemo is done for the week... the port is out of his chest.... He is doing well.... I mean AMAZINGLY well--- it has not slowed him down at all the last few days... except when he has been attached to an IV pole for an hour..... 

See below ... This is the email some of you may have gotten several times.... but it is super important... so I am posting it again... On Dec. 4th we will have the 3rd ANNUAL BAKE SALE for COOKIES FOR KIDS CANCER.... this is a GO GRIER GO sponsored event but 100% of the  proceeds will go towards clinical trial for children fighting cancer.  There are MANY ways to help even if you do not live in CHARLOTTE, NC-- You can help us by sending out emails to family and friends and ask them to make an online donation to our bake sale.....

here is the website-- www.cookiesforkidscancer.kintera.org feel free to make a personal page -- ALL of these donations will go towards our DEC. 4th total--- If you live in the LKN area there will be a satellite location at BIRKDALE..... Julie Sparks and her friends are in charge of that location... they will have bake goods and a raffle as well....  This bake sale is not just about Grier and Adam--- we are fighting for all kids battling cancer at both Levine and Blume.... Please email me if you would like your child to be honored at the bake sale... We are going to have an "inspiration table" set-up with photos of each child and if their family would like to bake their favorite goodie it will be displayed on that table as well--- I do not pretend to know everyone in the area so I am relying on you to email me if you would like to be a part of our "inspiration"- amychristenbury@att.net

OK--- ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO---- We need you help to make bake sale history and to meet our $50,000 goal.... 

Amy

Dear Friends & Family,

As many of you may already know, we are in the process of planning our BIG Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Bake Sale inspired by our sweet friend, Grier Christenbury.  For those of you who don’t know about Grier, he is a VERY endearing 6 year old boy, who was first diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma at the age of 2 1/2.  Many of us have watched as Grier and his family gone through what many of us couldn’t even fathom for over 3 years.  While many of us have done what we can to support their family in many ways.  It wasn’t until last November at the Cure Search Walk, that a group of mothers was moved to do something more to help raise awareness of and funds for pediatric cancer research in honor of sweet Grier. So, last year, with the help of many local bakeries & volunteers, we had the biggest CFKC Bake Sale ever in the history of the US at Blackhawk Hardware in Park Rd. Shopping Ctr. & Reid’s Uptown, raising over $30,000 for pediatric cancer research with a match from Glad Corp.!

I am thrilled to tell you that not only do we have a match from Glad Corp. this year, we also have a match from Bank of America! Of course, we are hoping for more! 

And for those of you who are asking ‘What is Cookies for Kids’ Cancer?’. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a 501©3 nonprofit public charity raising money for pediatric cancer research through local bake sales and online cookie sales.  It was founded by a very determined mother to help increase her son’s odds in his fight against cancer. 

So, here we are again!  We are calling on our friends & families to come together again and help us in our efforts to raise some ‘dough’ for pediatric cancer research. 

These are a number of ways that you and your family can help:

·       First of all, we need volunteers for lots of things!:-)

1.    We need bakers!  We will take everything and anything…as long as it’s sweet!:-)  Please package brownies, rice krispies, etc. in bags of two and cookies, etc. in bags of three.

2.   We need freezer space!  Anyone who has freezer space and that lives in the area of Park Rd. Shopping Ctr., we would greatly appreciate the use of your freezer space to store cupcakes, etc. donated by Polka Dot Bake Shop.

3.   We need drop-off locations for those that won’t be able to deliver their goodies the day of the event.  Again, the most ideal situation would be to have them close to the bake sale location. You would need to be able to accept deliveries on Fri., Dec. 3^rdfrom 2-6pm and have deliveries ready for pick up on Sat., Dec. 4^th by 8:30am.

4.   We need people who can put signs in storefronts!  We will just go from strip malls to shopping centers, focusing on the South Charlotte communities especially.

5.   We need volunteers that are willing to let us promote the bake sale on their vehicles!  We will be meeting at a specified time & place to write on the windows of our vehicles w/ glass markers…it washes right off.  They did this at a bake sale we just went to in Greenville, SC and it was a HUGE success! Please contact….

6.   We need sign makers!  If any of you have girl scouts, boy scouts, youth groups, etc….we would love for them to make some signs for us.

7.   We need face painters!  If you or someone you know are artistic and want to try your hand at face painting, we need you!

8.   We need pick-up & delivery drivers!  We will need drivers on Fri., Dec. 3^rd and Sat., Dec. 4^th to pick up from local bakeries that will be donating, as well as, some volunteers to transport tables & chairs.

9.   We need sign holders!  We need children &/or parents that can stand on the sidewalks & near Park Rd./Woodlawn Rd. to entice passerby’s to come join in on the fun, and of course, to buy some yummy baked goodies.

10.  And last, but not least, we need volunteers to work the tables.  We are still in the planning stages, so we are not quite sure how many we are going to need.  However, I would say that we are going to need between 10 and 15 volunteers per shift.

These are the shifts that we will have available:

9am-12pm Set-up/Station Helper (10-15 peeps)

12pm-3pm Station Helpers (10-15 peeps)

3pm-6pm Station Helpers/Tear Down(10-15 peeps)

·       If you have an interest in helping on our committee, please e-mail me at your earliest convenience @ lesa.helbein@gmail.com.  We will be meeting on Tues. nights from now until Dec. 4^th.

·       We are looking for sponsors this year as well! So, if any of you know of someone who might have an interest in sponsoring our event, please have them contact me @ lesa.helbein@gmail.com. This would be a great tax write-off for those who have not yet met their yearly quota of $500!:-)

·       We are also looking for corporate sponsors and donations!  For those of you who work for large corporations, we would love some corporate sponsorships or donations.

·       And, of course, we are looking for LOTS of raffle items!  Last year, our raffle was a HUGE success!  Please direct anyone who would like to donate a raffle item to amychristenbury@att.net.

I think that about does it!:-)  Our friends & family were an integral part to the success of our CFKC Bake Sale last year.  We have done several events in Grier’s honor since last year and I am always in awe of what a wonderful outpouring of support we have from our friends, family & community.  We cannot thank you enough for all that you have done to help us in our efforts to raise funds for pediatric cancer research, but there is still so much we can do!  We hope that you can join us in Charlotte’s 3^rd Annual Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Bake Sale!  Thank you in advance for your time and generosity.  At Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, we believe that “If it takes a village to raise a child, then it will take the world to fight pediatric cancer”.  We’re in this fight, because every child battling cancer deserves a fighting chance.

If for some reason, you can’t volunteer or attend our 3^rd Annual CFKC Bake Sale and you still want to help or join our team, please go towww.cookiesforkidscancer.kintera.org.  On the right side of the page, click on ‘Join Team’ and you will see our team link for Charlotte’s 3^rd Annual CFKC Bake Sale.  We hope to see you there!

If you can volunteer in any capacity, please go to: http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/42345634521626042 and get signed-up ASAP….we only have 4 weeks to go!:-)  We are hoping that this will be a much easier way to manage the volunteer list, so please bare with us!:-)  Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!

Sincerely,

Lesa Helbein

Volunteer,

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer

For more information, please go to:

www.cookiesforkidscancer.org

www.gogriergo.com

www.gladtogive.com

P.S.  We will be at Which Wich at Park Towne Village on Woodlawn Rd. all day today…Fri., Oct.29th!  They will once again be donating a portion of their proceeds to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer in honor of Grier…..they are such ‘good cookies’!

We have also partnered with The Pizza Peel on Colwick Rd. in Cotswold! During the month of November, they will be donating a portion of their proceeds to CFKC every single Sat.!  We have lots of fun things planned for the kids & adults!  We will have Corn Hole games, Wii Bowling & Dance, Balloon Artist, etc.  Also, mark your calendars….Beth Williams(Mrs. Beth) will be playing from 5:30-7:30 on Sat., Nov 13^th!  You can also pick up ‘Take & Bake’ Dinners for 4 for $25 throughout the month of November….just be sure you mention ‘Cookies’ or Go Grier Go!.

Please e-mail this to anyone who you think may have an interest in helping us in any capacity!  Thanks again for your time and consideration! 

 This Friday, October 29th we will be having another Cookies for Kids' Cancer Day at Which Wich. Come join us from open to close! They will be donating a portion of their proceeds to CFKC. Remember there's no school this Friday, so let's take full advantage of this golden opportunity to raise some more money for pediatric cancer research. See you there at lunch and probably dinner!:-)
Please mention Go Grier Go or "Cookies" so we get credit!!

WHICH WICH info... and directions....

Nothing new on the chemo routine..... Grier seemed to be hurting in his leg a lot yesterday -- well, he did get a flu shot on Monday so I am sure that is what was causing his discomfort..... Today it seems better...

OK--- I am begging for Bake Sale help..... not just on the day of the sale, Sat. Dec. 4th but we need so helping hanging signs.... asking for raffle donations.... and freezer space!!! Yes, we are freezing some "goodies" that we are getting now--- Please think about anyone that you know or a business/ church that would allow us to store some things until the 4th--- not too far away from Park Road.... please!!  Please email me if you would like to help with any of these ideas~ amychristenbury@att.net

Just in case you are not inspired yet to help us make this bake sale HUGE--- watch the videos... you will be calling all your friends and family to get involved... I promise :)

Glad's Partnership with Cookies for Kids Cancer

Cookies For Kids Cancer BAKE SALE Sat. 9/11/10

I am also needing pictures of local kids that we can honor at the bake sale--- they are our inspiration.  We would love the families of our inspiration kids participate by baking the favorite cookie of your warrior or angel--- please email me 1) picture.... name and diagnoses and the type of cookie you are going to bake

"Chasing your tail"

Well-- I bet some of you are wondering WHY I have a you tube video post on GGG??? Let me explain...
Grier started chemo yesterday after a brief stay at school--- We went to the clinic.... met with Dr. M and he had his check up before the actual "drip" started in the infusion room.  This was the first time I had seen Dr. M since our "free of disease" status that happened during scan week in NYC~ So, we talked about our next steps--- and he said NYC docs recommended 2-3 cycles ( 5days each--21 days apart depending on counts) of Irinotecan and Temador.. I chimed in with -- Let's shoot for 2~ and he grinned and said... well, you know when kids ask you for something and instead of saying yes or No -- you say MAYBE.... well, NYC's 2-3 option is kind of your MAYBE--- could be more -- That was my first deep breath.... then we talked about how this LOW dose was going to effect his counts we are trying to increase so he can try something else.... and that is when he said Well, temador will effect his T-cell count ( that is what they want to increase) so at this point giving him this low-dose is like a DOG chasing it's own tail---- Ideally to get his T-cell to come up we need to stop treatment but that leaves him vulnerable--- so we will keep chasing our tail at this point!

Today was a relatively easy day in clinic.. Grier was able to go to Kindergarten and eat lunch... I picked him up and we were home by 1 something.... he was a little more quiet in clinic than usual--- but I thought it was because he was into his ipod.... but looking back-- he was quiet because he was tired and didn't feel great.  He was asleep for the rest of the afternoon.... My biggest clue at clinic was that he was not into coloring logos today.... Thanks to Frances I now have a list app for my phone ( PAPERLESS)... and I told a friend today how excited I was about the new app---- I am always forgetting something so I am hoping this app is the thing that saves me!!! If not... I will enjoy the list called "someday" --- I am sure I can fill that "someday list" up if I actually took the time to think about it!!! I think the first thing for the "someday list" is to stop chasing our tail!!! hmm... not a bad thought... SOMEDAY.... BUT right now-- I am going to go plan the biggest bake sale Charlotte has ever seen.... so that SOMEDAY comes sooner than later!