| My daughter Ellie and I have committed to a very unique fundraising challenge. This challenge is BMF Adventure Club in every way.
Long story short, it is a two-part challenge. Part one is the we have committed to raise $4,000 for Make A Wish. Part two involves us each doing a rope rappel off of a 38-story building in downtown Austin (that’s almost 500 feet). This is a commitment that we have made and will complete. So why am I raising money for Make A Wish? My daughter’s pediatrician said, “We’re going to send you over to Boise to see a specialist. Your appointment is at the end of the week. It’s just a precaution. We want to rule out a few things.” The doctor we were going to see was an oncologist. I can’t remember the exact day that my daughter was examined by the doctor in Boise. I think it was a Wednesday. On Friday, we got the call. My 10-year old daughter, Ellie, had cancer. Three days later they did surgery to put a port in her chest. That was also when they gave her chemo for the first time. It was by far the darkest time of my life. Over the next 2 ½ years Ellie received chemo almost daily. She couldn’t leave the house most of the time because her body’s defenses were so low. She couldn’t go to school either. Even when her “counts” were up, the side effects of the chemo left her with little energy. About 4-months after being diagnosed, we were contacted by Make A Wish. Our coordinator was so nice. She told Ellie that she was special. She asked her, “If you could have any wish in the world what would it be.” Ellie chose two; meet Justin Bieber or go to Disney World. It was many months before Ellie could get strength to travel, but when she did Make A Wish sent our entire family on a weeklong trip that we will never forget. At Disney World, Ellie was treated like a princess. We didn’t wait in a line and when she got tired and needed to rest, there was a secret place with small rooms and beds where Ellie could lay down and regain her strength. I know that looking forward to that trip is what got her through all of those months of chemo. Ellie was lucky. She is a cancer survivor. Now it is our turn to do for another child, what was done for Ellie. To do that, Ellie and I need your help. Together, we have committed to raise $2,000 each for Make A Wish. Although we have until June to reach the goal, we intend to both reach our goal by the end of April. Why? Because there are kids like Ellie who need something to look forward to. Something that will strengthen their will to fight. Also, there may be some who time is not on their side. When you’re a child fighting an illness that could potentially end your life, it takes a lot of courage. Watching Ellie fight cancer gave me the courage over the past few years to complete challenges that before, I would have never dreamed possible. Whenever I attempt something that is really going to give me a test, I wear this simple purple bandana. Purple is the color associated with the type of cancel that Ellie had, Lymphoma. The challenge that Ellie and I have accepted doesn’t end with raising $4,000. That’s just the first part. You see, the challenge we accepted also includes rappelling off of a 38-story building in downtown Austin in June. That’s almost 500-feet. Considering I am terrified of heights, this is the only part of the challenge that worries me. But because Ellie and I will both go down on a separate rope at the same time, I know she will be there to encourage me all the way to the bottom. Ellie is now 16 and doing great. Even though it has been almost 2 ½ years since her last chemo treatment, just writing these words still required quite a few Kleenex’s. I am asking for your help. Any donation, regardless of size, will help. They say many hands make light work. Please help us by clicking on one of the links below and make a donation. I intend to broadcast mine and Ellie’s rappel on Facebook. If you donate I will be sure to send you a link and reminder. Thanks for your help and remember that right now a very sick little kid needs something to look forward to. Let’s not let them down. To donate click here. https://www.austinovertheedge.com/Chris_Pruitt/donate.cfm For more information on Over The Edge, be sure to visit: www.AustinOverTheEdge.com Thank you for helping me reach my pledge goal and giving to Make-A-Wish® Central & South Texas. To donate by credit card please click on the link above. |
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Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas |
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