October 23, 2015

 

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