Last night I officially started getting ready for the Blogathon! This will be my 4th year in a row raising money for kids with Neuroblastoma, a deadly cancer of the nervous system. The American Cancer Society DOES NOT give ANY funds to research this cancer, because “only” 650 new kids are diagnosed each year. Apparently those 650 + the # of kids who are already fighting it do not count as human beings to the ACS.

You can visit last year’s complete Blogathon, here.

So, I’m raising funds for Band of Parents, which is an organization started by the parents to fund research for the most promising therapy against this particular cancer, 38f, a mouse anti-body. The treatments are done in NYC at MSKCC.

I had the pleasure to meet 2 cancer warriors and one long-term cancer survivor when I visited NYC last August! I got to meet Ethan Smith, Eli Horn, and Bunni Spiegelman. It was great!

Ethan & his fam (I look like I’m on drugs, but I’m not)

Ethan was actually cancer-free when I met him, but has since relapsed. His current course of treatment is beating the cancer though! Go Ethan! He’s one tough cookie.

Anyway, I sent out my 1st email to parents last night. I ask them every year if they’d like to continue to have their kids featured. I try to be as delicate as I can with the families who’ve lost their child since last year’s ‘thon. It’s very sad.

I’d like to share “our” new angels with you, so that you know WHY we’re all fighting so hard to get this cancer cured.

Angel Katie:

Angel Tamara:

Angel Zachary:

Angel Eden:

Angel Erin:

Angel Brandon: