Last year, I ran the Marathon Relay and I loved it but I had wondered if I should have run the half marathon and after I ran it, I decided that I was going to sign up for the half for next year. I could have simply signed up, paid my fee and been done with the registration. I didn't.
I have a strong philosophy in life. Help others when you can, how you can. We are trying to instill this in our kids in hopes that one day, they can make a difference in the lives of others. The marathon has a program called Run for Charity where you sign on to be a part of a fundraising team for a charity of your choosing, in exchange for a free race registration.
I chose to run for Genre's Kids. Here is some background on their organization:
Genre's Kids with Cancer Fund is an all-volunteer organization that helps every child diagnosed with cancer at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. We provide financial assistance and support to their families through our various outreach programs.
Genre (like Henry with a “J”) was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on Memorial Day, 2009. He was 8 yrs. old. Since that day, so much generosity and love has been shown to this family not only by friends and relatives but by complete strangers as well. It is the hope of the Baker family to give back by assisting families dealing with childhood cancers.
This is how your money makes a difference:
$15 will pay for an iTunes gift card, so kids can download an app or song, to entertain them when they are in the hospital for days.What a special organization that they have! I love that they have items specified for every donation amount instead of just putting it in a fund and figuring it out later.
$20 will purchase a video game, providing hours of distraction for a kid in the hospital receiving chemotherapy or lengthy treatments.
$50 will buy a gas gift card, for oncology families who travel long distances, so their child can get medical care at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Each month we give $500 in gas cards to the Oncology social workers to give to families who travel long distances or visit the oncology clinic 2-3 times per week in order for their child to receive chemotherapy, transfusions, and other treatments.
$50 will pay for all of the items to complete a "Go Bag" we give to every oncology family when their child is admitted, and they hear the words "your child has cancer".
$120 will pay for a handheld gaming system or music player, we give to every child newly diagnosed with cancer at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, if they don't already own one. These are priceless to the children during long treatments or when they are hospitalized for weeks at a time.
Any amount will support our financial assistance program. We are raising money to help pediatric oncology families in need.
Prior to the Christmas season, the pediatric oncology social worker selects the neediest oncology families and passes their names along to us. We provide groceries, basic necessities, clothes, toys, gifts, and a Christmas meal for each family, as well as any other support we can offer.
TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD WITH CANCER AND THEIR FAMILY WHO LOVES THEM.
I would love to raise enough to make 10 "go bags" for families that are just starting the heartbreaking journey they are on with their child.
We have been blessed with three healthy kids and have not had to endure the agony of going through the diagnosis, testing, treatment and mental endurance that these families do. So, I want to give, I want to help them to help others. These children are fighting for their lives and the families are fighting for normalcy and calm.
If you would like to help raise funds for Genre's Kids, please visit my donation site here:
https://www.crowdrise.com/genreskidspittsburgh2015/fundraiser/priscillagreen
Every dollar helps.
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