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Part 1
and
Part 2
Thank you!
Debby Perry
Debby: Kelly thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me today! I wanted to give your story a voice within our community for several reasons. First because you and I have an awesome connection that has led us to meet and get to know each other but most of all because your story is important to tell for all of us parents and especially those in West Pittsburgh. Mac Kid's sole purpose is to connect within the community and we are so proud to know your story and thank you for sharing it.
Part 1
and
Part 2
Thank you!
Debby Perry
Debby: Kelly thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me today! I wanted to give your story a voice within our community for several reasons. First because you and I have an awesome connection that has led us to meet and get to know each other but most of all because your story is important to tell for all of us parents and especially those in West Pittsburgh. Mac Kid's sole purpose is to connect within the community and we are so proud to know your story and thank you for sharing it.
Kelly I read that you're participating in 46 Mommas Shave For The Brave at the end of July! It was very exciting to see your profile listed on the 2012 class! I did a little cheer!! Tell us more about the event and it's purpose as well as how you got involved and why. I know your back story but many might not.
Kelly: Thanks so much Debby for doing this, this is going to be a life changing event for me and to help with the healing process~~ I first would like to explain what the 46 Mommas Shave For The Brave is about: Each weekday in the United States, 46 mothers are told that their child has cancer.
The 46 Mommas represent all mothers who make the cancer journey with their child. Our annual teams are comprised of women from across the U.S., with different backgrounds, beliefs and lifestyles; there is one thing that they have in common --- childhood cancer.
In 2010, our inaugural team took the name 46 Mommas Shave for the Brave and established a fundraising goal of $1 million for The St. Baldrick's Foundation. Each year, a new class of 46 Mommas is inducted into the cause to empower and engage mothers of children with cancer.
Through increasing awareness of childhood cancer and raising funds for childhood cancer research by shaving our heads, we hope to one day be a group that no longer needs to exist.
The 46 Mommas Goals:
•Raise $1 million for St. Baldrick’s Foundation's childhood cancer research programs
•Hold an annual head shaving event, uniting cancer mommas and their families, to help raise these research funds.
•Increase awareness of key childhood cancer issues in our local communities
•Advocate to increase funding, both nationally and locally, for childhood cancer specific issues
•Collaborate with other childhood cancer organizations to help produce a stronger, united childhood cancer community
This is the 3rd year for this event and I am so happy to be doing this in memory of my son Ethan Joseph.
As I said I am doing this in memory of my son, my son Ethan was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma on September 1, 2009. He was 2 years and 3 months young fighting this terrible disease. Ethan went through countless chemotherapy injections, countless surgeries, stem cell harvesting and was always in the hospital with complications from his cancer. After fighting so hard we were told “There is nothing else we can do for your child”.
So we took Ethan home to do as much as he could. We were finally able to get his wish to meet Sidney Crosby arranged, but he died the morning of their meeting. Ethan Joseph Loney passed away in the early hours of the morning on April 9, 2010.
So we took Ethan home to do as much as he could. We were finally able to get his wish to meet Sidney Crosby arranged, but he died the morning of their meeting. Ethan Joseph Loney passed away in the early hours of the morning on April 9, 2010.
So I have decided to fundraise for childhood cancer organizations in memory of my loving son Ethan Joseph Loney. I have been accepted into the Class of 2012 for the 46 Mommas event and will fundraise in his honor.
Debby: Kelly the entire event seems an incredible celebration of bravery and camradery while still having a fantastically dedicated purpose. To fund pediatric cancer research and ultimately put an end to it. I can't imagine the bonds you've formed with perfect strangers, especially Mommas. This is how YOU AND I even came to know of each other! I know you're looking forward to meeting up with at least one special person in LA. Can you tell me about the people you've met on this path and how you've helped each other to stay afloat.
KELLY: The one special person who is going with me and going to be right by my side is Sarah Stonebraker. I met Sarah at Children’s Hospital while both our children were fighting cancer, the same cancer. Sweet little Kadie passed away in August 2011, she fought Neuroblastoma from the time she was 18 months old.
There is a very special reason we are so close, our children loved each other so much, they even had a candlelight dinner while at Children's together. We took al least 50 pictures of this event and we as mommys know that they are together in heaven. So we decided we were going to Shave for the Brave together side by side for our children. We have named ourselves, our team, Team Lovebugs. Very fitting for our children. We are trying to raise a total of $10,000 together as a team.
Debby: Kelly what are you looking forward to the MOST in L.A.? Will you take some additional time to yourself out there or is this a trip in and out for this purpose only? I would imagine you would enjoy some time out there exploring but certainly understand if this trip is specific to this cause!
KELLY: I am looking forward to meeting my 46 Momma sisters, but Sarah and I are going to do some sightseeing and relaxing while in Los Angeles. We shave on July 29, 2012. We are flying down on July 26 and coming home July 30~~!! We both have other beautiful children who will be waiting for our return, but we took some time together.
Debby: Kelly why is it so important to pay attention and support events like this? This event isn't just a bunch of moms out for a girls weekend in LA. It's really symbolic of parents joining together to take a stand. But it shouldn't JUST be noted by those affected by cancer, right? Why should ALL people take note of this cause and similar ones.. and fight WITH you? How can THEY help today, in our community?
KELLY: This event needs supported by everyone, if you have been affected by cancer or not. We need to raise the awareness and better treatments for childhood cancer. We need to stop having parents hear “your child has cancer” or “there is nothing we can do”. And we can only do this with the help of funding, St Baldricks and Curesearch are the number 1 childhood cancer organizations, Sarah and I proudly support both now and forever. Here are the links to our pages.
Kelly Loney (Ethans mommy) Support Page
Please leave Kelly a comment and support her efforts if you can!
Please leave Kelly a comment and support her efforts if you can!
Sarah Stonebraker (Kadies mommy) Support Page
Please leave Sarah a comment and support her efforts if you can!
Please leave Sarah a comment and support her efforts if you can!
Team Lovebugs Support Page:
Please leave Team Lovebugs a comment and support their efforts if you can!
READ PART 2 HERE and learn what Kelly has done to help heal and what advice she has for those of you with loved ones who've lost or who are going through cancer in any capacity.
Please leave Team Lovebugs a comment and support their efforts if you can!
READ PART 2 HERE and learn what Kelly has done to help heal and what advice she has for those of you with loved ones who've lost or who are going through cancer in any capacity.
