JD and I are
working towards starting our own foundation to raise money for research for pediatric
brain cancer. We are calling it "Imagine An Answer." Our first event is next week at Eastern
Market on October 27th, "Monster Mash Pumpkin Bash." Over 20 Members of
Congress are carving pumpkins for the event; we will have a silent
auction and then auction off the pumpkins as part of the program. So many people have worked
to make this event a success -- Lebanese Taverna is catering, H Street
Country Club is doing a special cocktail, we have a DJ, Tracy's Kids is
doing artwork from the pediatric art room at the children's clinics they serve, we have Annin flag decorations, a full program and new website, to
name a few contributors. All of the information is at
www.imagineananswer.com if you would like more
information or are able to attend. JD has been working around the
clock to make this happen. We hope to make
this an annual event and all of the funding will go to research to make
better, less damaging treatment available for kids like Clay.
I
have been putting together a slide show to show during the event. It includes many photos and short stories of kids with brain cancer. Each child's story is testament to how limited the current
choices are for effective treatment, and how devastating the side effects of these treatments are. What Clay has been through is not unlike many
of the others children. We have to do better at finding answers of how to tackle this devastating disease. We have to give these kids a better chance at a childhood that
is not filled with suffering.
www.imagineananswer.com
On the non-medical front, we have a new member of the family. Hazel is a 9 week old Australian Labradoodle. (Australia's first seeing eye dog breed for allergy sufferers!) Clay and I went to get her last Monday in Windsor, Pa. Here is a shot of Clay on the ride home.
She is a real sweetheart so far and is doing well with her training. It is nice to have a dog in the house again.
Clay is loving horse riding, and is starting to help with all phases of the ride, including getting the horse ready for the ride, and putting him back in the stall afterwards. Here he is on a recent lesson. Each week they do a new drill. Bareback was his least favorite. This week was learning to direct the horse over planks. The founder of Sprout is amazing, and has a real knack for knowing how to adapt the lessons for Clay. They are having a fundraising 5K this weekend on Sunday if anyone is in the mood for a jog in the country! You can register at the race.
www.sproutcenter.org
