All the gifts are in & wrapped!
We dropped off our gifts to The Breathing Room Foundation yesterday. The rest (pictured) will be delivered early next week. 
🎅🏻
We got everything from an American Girl doll, Hatchimal (special thanks to some awesome friends!) to coats, boots, diapers, gift cards and many other clothing and toy items!
Thank you so much to those families from the ’07 VE Gunners.
You helped take the stress and financial burden of the holidays away from these families.
The Holidays are here and today is “Giving Tuesday.”
Life is short. “Things” just accumulate. Why not make a difference to those affected by rare childhood cancer?
After Shane passed, our approach to the holidays completely changed for our children. The list is shorter and follows the: want, need, wear, read, share, experience and GIVE.
So, on today we hope you will take a moment from your busy lives and give a gift to Shane’s Future Days so that we can continue to pursue our mission of raising awareness, research funds and assisting families affected by rare childhood cancer.
Thank you for your support!
*All donations are tax-deductible
A friend of the family dedicated this brick to Shane. A little piece of him is in NEPA.
On our way home from spending the holiday in my hometown, we stopped and saw it in person. It was touching, a bit sad and a reminder that indeed our son’s star does shine brightly in our hearts.
As we left, Ella lingered in the memorial. She said she saw a twinkle of light as if her brother was there saying hi.
There is no doubt he was.
We are thankful to all of you who continue to support us in our endeavors to raise awareness and research funds in memory of Shane and all children affected by childhood cancer.
As we enter the holiday season, our hearts tug a little harder as the memories come flooding in.
So, when the stress of the holidays or life overwhelms you, remember those that are spending their holidays at the hospital or away from relatives because of blood counts. Those who smile when they know this may be their last holiday celebrated with their child and those experiencing their holidays without their child.
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours.
Please vote!*
We nominated The Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute as a nonprofit that inspires and is meaningful to us.
*Please click on Shane’s picture and then “like” our entry. Each “like” counts as a vote.
Thank you!
https://www.facebook.com/gatesfoundation/app/1160921547334883/?app_data=%2Fgallery%2F7520215976897
I know we have been quiet, but we assure you… we have been busy!
This holiday season we are thankful to be able to assist quite a few families this year.
We have completed two families wish lists so far! One was a single parent with one child and the other was a family of 7!
We are especially grateful for the support which allows us to give back to these families who are so deserving of this experience.
From Paul:
Last night we were lucky enough to see Temple of the Dog at the Tower, thanks to a friend. This band was formed as a tribute when a band member passed away from a heroin OD. Tonight TOTD opened with Say Hello to Heaven. While this song is about losing a friend to addiction, there are lyrics that really hit home describing the loss of a loved one. You think you know the words to a song, until you sit back and truly listen.
I had titled my eulogy to Shane, Say Hello to Heaven. These words ring true. Simple, yet powerful and so beautifully written.
“New like a baby
Lost like a prayer
The sky was your playground
But the cold ground was your bed
Poor stargazer
She ‘s got no tears in her eyes
Smooth like whisper
She knows that love heals all wounds with time
Now it seems like too much love
Is never enough, you better seek out
Another road ’cause this one has
Ended abrupt’
I never wanted
To write these words down for you
With the pages of phrases
Of things we ‘ll never do
So I blow out the candle, and
I put you to bed”
There’s just one thing left to be said”
Say Hello to Heaven, Shane. We miss you always.
Tonight, we had the honor of attending The Frances Foundations’s Glitter in Gold gala. The Frances Foundation provides assistance to children and families from NJ and NY battling childhood cancer. They were huge supporters of our good friend’s, the Santos Family. Tonight, they continued to honor Antonio.
Yep, this is such a thing and THANK GOODNESS for it. We need people to be more aware that it is OK and healthy to talk about those we loved and lost. At whatever age.
Chase and Ella have been exceptional in their understanding and vocalness to us about the loss of their brother. Sometimes it’s smooth sailing and other times (like lately) it’s muddy.
We are navigating the best we can and we would like to thank those of you who have been above and beyond supportive. I am so glad that they have a great group of friends.
It’s a difficult. When starting a new school, meeting a new friend, living in a new neighborhood. Shane is apart of us…forever. They talk about him all.the.time. It’s so good for them and us, but at times it can be awkward. I was once told by someone that they didn’t want their child to know that people or more particular that children died of cancer. Well, that was a line for me. There is no way I would ever stop either of them from expressing their feelings about their brother. He fought so hard for the short life he had to be here. It counts for something and so do Chase and Ella’s feelings.
September 30:
Today is the last day of childhood cancer awareness month.
For families who have been touched by childhood cancer, it never ends….even in death.
This month,1,290 children have been diagnosed with cancer and
approximately 163 died this month from cancer.
Our mission for Shane’s Future Days is to continue to raise money for research and bring about awareness for rare childhood cancers.
Thank you for all your support.
https://youtu.be/YIVqyrPa26w
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