It’s been 6 months since Kennedy has been officially “cured”
from cancer, 3 years since her last round of chemo and 5 ½ years since she was diagnosed. Those are big numbers. With each day, we step further and further
from what could have been to what is, and we are eternally grateful.
We still visit Loyola four times per year for clinic checks
but as we move away from our experience with childhood cancer, we can’t forget
there are kids less fortunate than Kennedy that are currently losing their
battle or just couldn’t win and are no longer with us.
For the past several years, we have fundraised for
CureSearch (the organization that backed Kennedy’s chemo protocol) and
volunteered on the pediatric floor of Loyola.
This year I was named publicity chair of the CureSearch Chicago Walk and
hoping to achieve coverage of the event and cause while also raising the money
needed to help the organization do what they do best. The article https://curesearch.org/Chicago-Mom-of-Young-Cancer-Survivor-Joins-CureSearch-Event-as-Publicity-Chair announcing the appointment ran in the Daily Herald and Chicago Tribune. As a result, Kennedy received a note from a Palatine State Representative.
I love CureSearch because the protocol they backed saved
her from potential heart damage and delivered less-severe side effects. Most people don’t understand that even though
treatment is over and Kennedy is “cured”, the chemotherapy can still wreak
havoc and cause long-term organ and cognitive damage into adulthood. It’s hard to escape the effects of chemicals
being pumped into one’s body during key developmental periods.
Kennedy has personally raised $85 for this year’s walk by
making and selling slime with her friends.
In May, Kennedy and her friend Angela went door to door and sold slime
for $.50 - $3 a jar. We were astonished
by her idea and accomplishment. While
many of her friends were selling slime for personal gain, Kennedy was raising
money for a cause that is embedded in her soul.
As a 10-year old, she has more empathy and understanding than most
adults I know.
So with that end – this is where I ask you to walk with us
on September 24 or just donate to a wonderful cause. Our goal is $7,500 and we are almost
there! The link to our CureSearch
fundraising website is: http://www.curesearchevents.org/site/TR/CureSearchSuperheroesUnite/CureSearchSuperheroesUnite?team_id=2752&pg=team&fr_id=1461
Thank you all who donated already, this cause means the
world to our entire family!
With Love,
Edan Gelt & Gene Khalimsky
