birthday – CHASE AWAY CANCER

Of Birthdays and Good Things

On Tuesday, December 12th, Chase turns 14! Isn’t that a miracle?!

This year, he (again) had a request: his birthday fundraiser be equally divided between Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation. But there’s also a little extra, a special 14th birthday nod to his friend Robbie Gould’s new partnership with Cal’s Angels. In honor of Chase, we will also be raising a separate $500 going to Cal’s Angels in order to help grant a wish for another child like Chase.

We can’t think of a more fitting plan! Lurie has gifted Chase life more times than we can count, the Rizzo Foundation has instilled more hope, and Cal’s has brought more joy – Life, Hope, and Joy – all together.

Would you consider donating here? You can give $14 for Chase’s 14 years (or a multiple of 14…or more!).

The Lurie/Rizzo link is together right here.

The Cal’s Angels’ wish link is right here.

Every dollar counts, and this year, it feels like it counts double…no, triple! …as the dollars will go to help a child like Chase and a family like ours – often in their most stressful, heartbreaking moments – in the home with Cal’s, in the hospital with Lurie, and around the country with The Rizzo Foundation.

With your help, we can contribute to research, resources, and encouragement for so many children like Chase.

Thank you!

He’s 12 Today

Last night, I was reflecting on the start of Chase’s life. Perhaps some of you have seen this before, but this (above) is the first photo I have of Chase and with Chase. This picture never stops being amazing to me because he came so fast and was placed on my chest so fast with such a deep scream that I actually watched life flow into him, turning him pink.

Can you see it?

Can you see who he is today in this tiny scrap of human in my arms?

Another reason I never stop being amazed at this picture is because I had absolutely no idea what lay ahead of us and how many miracles lay in store for this sweet, unexpected life. I had no idea how much I’d cry… or laugh…

Did you know that Chase was born 12 months and 5 days after his older brother? To say he was a surprise to us would be an understatement, and yet, it underscores something I know with my whole heart… Chase was meant to be on this earth.

He followed fast on brother’s heals.

He came fast and screaming into the world.

He hasn’t stopped fighting since.

And this is one of his personal favorite pictures because I’m in a hospital bed with nurses and gloves and masks around me…and there was an IV in my hand. And so I reflected on these picture things last night, as I wrapped presents and prepared for now – this day.

Twelve… It’s so insane to me! I remember the day the doctors told us “Don’t think too far ahead… let’s just try and get him to age three.”

Isn’t life amazing? …and so are you! Yesterday alone, the day before alone, you raised over $7,000 in Chase’s “12 For 12″ fundraiser.

Dear ones, my heart is so full. These dollars will do so much good. Think about this: somewhere this day, a woman like me is holding her baby – like Chase – in her arms for the first time, having no idea how much she’s going to need Lurie Children’s and foundations like ARFF someday. And when she wakes up one day and realizes the need… we will have already been there – doing our best – because Chase turned 12.

Life is precious.

Moment by moment.

[To donate in celebration of Chase or to share with a friend, click THE LINK – thank you!]

12 For 12 – A Cause, A Celebration

ANNOUNCING…. “12 FOR 12” …!! [Chase’s birthday fundraiser]

Can you believe it? By all rights and data, our precious Chase should have never seen a 3rd year, let alone a 12th birthday! Yet, here we are and Chase still lives and breathes joy into our family and the world around him. And on December 12th – 12/12 – he will officially be 12. A golden birthday for a golden boy. He is a miracle and we are so thankful.

This year, Chase had a very special request for his birthday fundraiser (which is running an extra day – so the whole weekend!). He wanted the money equally divided between Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation – two of his absolute favorites.

We can’t think of a more fitting plan! Lurie has brought Chase life more times than we can count, and the Rizzo Foundation has instilled so much hope – and Hope and Life go hand in hand in so many precious ways.

So after much discussion with our Lurie and Rizzo families, THIS PAGE was put together. All the funds will rest there, so we can see a grand total, and then when all is said and done, the Rizzo Family will write a check for half of the total, on Chase’s behalf, to Lurie Children’s – because of YOU, dear ones!

Would you consider making a donation? You can give $12 (or a multiple of 12…or more!) in honor of Chase’s 12 years. Every dollar counts – and it feels like it counts double this year – as the dollars will go to help a child like Chase and a family like ours – often in their most stressful, heartbreaking moments – both in the hospital with Lurie and around the country with ARFF.

With your help, we can contribute to research, resources and encouragement for so many children like Chase.

On behalf of the fighters and families supported by Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation…

THANK YOU.

**PLEASE feel FREE to share the fundraiser link far and wide!!**

12.12.15

For years now, Chase has fought me on his age. On some level, the last year he remembers well is the one he turned two, right before the tumor. For years now, as I’ve told him the next numbers, he’s insisted that he was still only two. I finally got him to admit to five, but it’s usually a fight. But just last week, he came and plopped down next to me on the couch. “Mom, I’m ready.”

“Ready for what?”

“I’m ready to be six. I know it’s six now and I’m okay with it. I’m ready.”

I smiled and kissed his fuzzy head. “That’s great, Chasey-bear.”

“And Mom, after that, can I be seven and then eight and then nine?”

Yes, a thousand times, YES . . . please.

Today, my precious, stubborn, tenacious, beat-the-odds, stare-it-down, never-say-die, don’t-mess, you-and-what-army Chase turns six with great joy.

And I’d love to reflect at greater length, but the present is waiting right next to me and the present has his birthday crown on and he’s begging me to open gifts. He asked me to share that he’s “thankful for Bapa and chicken and that he likes his birthday and his presents.”

We are so thankful for another year of life . . . moment by moment.

12.12.12

15546_202873180582_4156185_n — This was my favorite moment of Chase being born and Chase’s favorite picture of his birth because it shows that I too have had an IV in my hand

As I sit here contemplating 12/12/12 and the third birthday I have, at some moments, thought I wouldn’t see, I am overcome and don’t feel like I can adequately summarize this moment in Chase’s life, so here is what I would (and probably will) say to him:

My Dearest Chase,
Today you are three years old and even if you aren’t cognizant of it, this is a big deal. Your Daddy and I have often wondered if you would live to see this day – and that was even before your “baseball“. Since your “baseball” and your “cancers“, there have been many more minutes that we have stood by your bed or talked with your doctors and wondered if we would get to celebrate this day with you. …and here you are! Not only with us, but finishing all your brave days in your “spaceship“. As we often whisper in your ear before you take your nap with the doctor: “Be strong and of good courage, for the Lord your God is with you.” (Joshua 1:9)
Son, Daddy and I are so proud of you. You’re our favorite, bravest Chasey Bear in the whole world!
Love,
Mommy

Happy 3rd Birthday, My Precious Chase!

219648_10150962650930583_1812257379_o — Joy comes in the morning… (I have much more recent pictures, but this is my favorite – that first smile post-surgery is a perfect summary to this little one’s year)

[Chase’s dictionary of terms: “baseball” = the tumor site (with it’s baseball-like stitching), “spaceship” = the proton radiation room]

Tag: birthday