I know that life is crazy busy. You’ve got a toddler hanging on to your leg and a mound of laundry that isn’t going to fold itself. You’ve got a boss who keeps peering into your cubicle for no apparent reason other than to intimidate you. You just got home from work and you had a bad day and just want to sit down and watch some TV. But wait. Please. Just hold on and let these words sink in.

Stop for a minute and think of your kids. Your grandkids. Your nieces and nephews. The neighbor kids. Your best friend’s kids. Now, think about what it must be like for a mom or a dad to be told that their child has cancer. Think about the fear, the questions, the shock. Ask yourself, how does one even begin to spring back from such a punch to the gut?

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While it might seem utterly impossible, every day, parents are given the devastating news that their child has cancer and somehow they’re able to pull themselves up, square their shoulders, and move themselves forward one step at a time. Have you ever wondered how they’re able to do that? Much of it comes from faith and much of it comes from the comforting support provided by the doctors and staff at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

I want to share with you the story of a precious little girl named Brooklyn Danger Hall. Brooklyn has many family members who live all over Broome County and through them, I learned about her journey at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

On September 19th, 2017, Brooklyn's parents were told that she had a tumor. A brain tumor. In that moment, life as Brooklyn and her family knew it changed forever as they began their journey with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This is their story.

I know that it can be hard to decide where to donate your hard-earned money, I really do. But I can’t stress enough to you the beautiful things that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital does, not only for the kids but for their families. Let me remind you that because of donations from people like you and me, the families of the kids under the care of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will never, ever receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food. The reason? It's simple- St. Jude believes that all a family should have to worry about is helping their child live.

Another thing you need to know about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is that they are very generous with their medical research, freely sharing their discoveries with doctors and scientists worldwide so that they can use that knowledge to save even more children. This means that your donation won’t just help kids who are and who will be patients of the hospital in Memphis, but kids who live in our community and who receive and will receive treatment locally through St. Jude partner facilities.

I’d like to leave you with these words that Meghan wrote to me and I hope that you’ll take them to heart,

Enjoy today. Enjoy your family and your loved ones. Tell people you care about that they are important to you. Watching my daughter grow is a blessing, and I am thankful to have more time on the clock. Don't take your time for granted. When we go home we will have responsibilities like work and school. I'm not looking forward to leaving her [Brooklyn]. It's like I've been reminded of our mortality and I don't want to waste a second of it away from my kids.

Would you like to help kids and their families under the care of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital? As a Partner In Hope, you’ll be joining a special community of monthly donors who’ve pledged to help save kids with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. When you become a Partner in Hope, your monthly donation makes sure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude. And the best part? It's easy to give on your terms each month. Join the movement now by calling 1-800-372-4999 or text the word HAWK to the number 6-2-6-2-6-2 and then click the link from St. Jude.

Brooklyn Danger Hall is a vibrant young girl who has defied the odds. Not expected to live to see Christmas 2019, Brooklyn is not only alive today, but she continues to thrive. Brooklyn is, without a doubt, a miracle child. 

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