Let It Go... Locks of Love

I've been writing thank yous when I can, but the words never seem to capture just how awed we've been by your support nor the magnitude of our appreciation. Yes, to some extent, we all expect family and friends to rally in times of need. But to have the children of my sister's colleagues send hand-made get well cards to Jade, or to learn from a neighbor that, in our absence, she has literally just been placing her hands on the side of our house - praying for us, or for notes, packages, and words of encouragement to literally come from around the globe... you don't expect that. I didn't expect that.

So, today I walked into a salon (the likes of which have not seen me in an unspeakable number of years) and cut off 18 inches (or so) of hair to donate to Locks of Love, a worthy organization that provides hairpieces to children under the age of 21 who are suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis - as a tribute to Jade and all of you who are rooting for her.

Jade's at an age where the loss of her hair hasn't caused her to skip a beat; but there are older kids, children we see on the unit or teens we see in clinic, for whom the hair loss is a game changer.  Maybe, just maybe, these four ponytails will be a blessing of restored confidence for the young one receives it. This is the least I could do. I have been asking and hoping for so much from so many for Jade -- a bone marrow match, blood, prayers, encouragement. I thought that I was giving all that I had, that after all we're doing -- for Jade, Jaytoe; to preserve our family -- that there was nothing left. But, there is much more that I have to give.

Sure, Jade wanted my "old hairstyle back" when she first saw me.  But when I explained that it might make a big kid, who had lost their hair, happy and that it was actually my Iridessa hair (of Disney Fairy fame), she was on board.

Thank you for your continued prayers for Jade and all those affected by cancer.