Wednesday, July 01, 2009

It's been a while...

Hi Everyone,

I've been so neglectful of this blog. I doubt many even read it any more, but a lot has happened in the last 3 1/2 months so I'm hopeful an update is still warranted.

THE 2ND ANNUAL GOLF FOR GRACE was a huge success raising just under $17,000 for pediatric brain tumour research at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. Unfortunately the weather was poor and the course was too wet to use power carts, but 12o golfers still participated on foot and another 25 attended the dinner only for a total of 145 participants.

TOBIN HAAS was again our special guest running the putting contest and sharing the story of his battle with brain cancer since 2002. Unfortunately, after almost 3 years of good heath, Tobin's cancer has returned and this new growth was discovered last week. He is currently under going further testing to determine the best route of treatment. If you would like to follow Tobin's story please do so at www.caringbridge.org/visit/tobinhaas. Please pray for Tobin, he needs a miracle with this being his second relapse. Please understand that this is why it is so important to raise money for pediatric brain tumour research. We must find better treatments, cures even, to help children like Tobin win his fight against this unforgiving disease.

NAOMI GRACE STANLEY was born just 2 short weeks after the golf tournament on May 17th at 12noon. Weighing 8lbs, 1 1/2 oz and 20 1/2 inches long, she was the tiniest of our three babies. We are thrilled to have our arms so full with both Eli and Naomi. We continue to miss Grace everyday and were glad to have the opportunity for her baby sister to carry her name.

THE 5TH ANNUAL WALK FOR GRACE will take place on Sunday Sept. 13th at Bronte Provincial Park in Burlingtion. We are so hopeful for good weather, this really seems to be our largest challenge with regards to the success of our fundraisers. We have once again secured Breckon Picnic Shelter (parking area F). The agenda will be as follows:
8:20am: 31km registration & pledge drop off, Breckon Picnic Shelter
8:30am: 31km walk begins
11:30am - 1:30pm: 1km & 5km registration & pledge drop off, Breckon Picnic Shelter
11:30am - 3:15pm: Crafty Corner kids activities
11:30am – 4pm: BBQ and bake table
12:45pm: Welcoming Ceremony
1pm: 1km walk begins
1:30 pm: 5km walk begins
3:30pm: Conclusion
More information and down loadable pledge forms will be available on the fundraisers page of Grace's website (www.gracestanley.org) shortly. The $15 per vehicle park entrance fee will be waived at park gate with the presentation of a pledge sheet.

GRACE'S FUND, as of last month, has joined the six figure club having achieved over $100,000 raised for pediatric brain tumour research. Grace now has a larger plaque in the "Hall of Honor" at Sick Kids where she spent the majority of her short life. I continue to miss her every single day so very much.

HOW YOU CAN HELP? Please, most importantly, pray for a miracle for Tobin. He is a very special little boy and deserves to beat this disease. Also, please come out to our walk on Sept. 13th. Research for pediatric brain tumour research is under funded and this must be changed. And finally, now that I have 2 little ones under 2 years of age, I'm finding it difficult to allocate as much time to fundraising as I'd like to. I will most likely not be able to solicit for corporate sponsors on the same level as I have in the past, so please, if you work for a company who could be a corporate sponsor for the walk please contact me at lcompagnon@cogeco.ca and I can send you more information. Several levels of sponsorship are available from $3100 to $200.

Mama misses you baby.
Lesley