ethan's journey

As many of you know, we are currently at Children's Hospital Boston for Ethan's cord blood transplant. The outpatient portion of this hospital and the area in which Ethan's transplant protocol was developed is called the Dana-Farber/Jimmy Fund Clinic. Every year there is a major fundraiser for the Jimmy Fund Clinic in the way of the "Jimmy Fund Walk" (this is event is also in conjunction with the Boston Marathon).

Now that the Jimmy Fund Clinic has become near and dear to mine and Adam's heart - as they are actively working to cure our little boy - we've decided to participate in this years walk in honor of Ethan. We will walk together on September 21, 2008 for our son and this incredible journey he has been on thus far. We've called our little mommy & daddy team, "Ethan's Journey".

I was setting up our registration details last night and before I went to bed, as I contemplated everything that "Ethan's Journey" truly means, I couldn't help the tears that fell down my face. Leukemia. Cancer. It affects so many. And it has affected us. And what a sweet moment it will be to walk with my husband, and thousands of others, for the sake and support of the loved ones in our lives impacted by such a disease. I never thought this would be my path. I never thought we'd be where we are. But it really is okay. And on that day, one month from now, Adam and I will walk with such honor and pride to be representing our son. Each year, we will come back here and do the same.

And one day....

Ethan will walk with us.

And he will be a light of hope to others... I believe he already is.


It's a bit 'last minute' to be joining a fundraiser that's only one month from now, however, I'm trusting the Lord's blessing. The details are slightly tricky, but hopefully, this will make sense. We have created a website through the Jimmy Fund Walk site to help us raise the money for our participation in the upcoming event. This being our first fundraiser for cancer research, we wanted to be conservative, with the hope to grow it each year.

I set up a goal amount for myself of $812 in honor of the date of Ethan's transplant (August 12th). Adam's goal amount is $250 which is the amount that is needed in order for him to be able to participate in the walk. This gives us a total of $1062 as our "team goal amount". All of the donations go directly to the Jimmy Fund (which we support with our whole heart as they are currently taking care of our baby!), and donations can be made specifically "in honor of" Ethan.

The fundraiser site is as follows:

http://www.jimmyfundwalk.org/ethankrawiec

Clicking on that link brings you to a page set up specifically for "Ethan's Journey". You will see my fundraising goal of $812 listed and can add whatever financial support you'd like. If you click on the MY TEAM PAGE, you will see a link with Adam's name. This would take you to his page and you'd be able to make a donation towards his goal of $250.

We weren't at all sure what type of response we might get from this... we just wanted to do this for Ethan... to bring attention to JMML and participate in an event that has become a very real part of our lives. Any donation is a special one to us, and I thank you for even considering providing support. All donations are tax-deductible and you will receive a letter for your records via email directly from Dana-Farber/Jimmy Fund Clinic.

Jimmy Fund Facts:
The Jimmy Fund supports the fight against cancer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Childrens Hospital Boston), helping to raise the chances of survival for children and adults with cancer around the world. Since 1948, thousands of events, coupled with the generosity of millions of people, have helped the Jimmy Fund save countless lives by furthering cancer research and care at Dana-Farber.The Jimmy Fund has been integral to the success of treatment for once-incurable childhood cancers for more than 58 years. Today, due in part to Dr. Sidney Farber's groundbreaking work at Dana-Farber, overall cure rates for children's cancers have reached more than 75 percent (and up to 90 percent for some forms of the disease). More than $400 million has been raised since it was founded in 1948. More than 90 cents per dollar raised is directed toward Dana-Farber's ultimate goal — eradicating cancer and related diseases, and the fear they engender.

... And this now includes our little Ethan.

Thank you in advance for helping us support the fight, cause and cure for childhood cancers. I know our miracle is ultimately of the Lord's goodness and mercy, but, I also know that His goodness and mercy towards us has come through the vessels of the doctors and nurses He has placed in our lives here in Boston... and they will forever have my support and deepest appreciation for their help in restoring Ethan's life.

Please feel free to email me with any questions - kasey_krawiec@yahoo.com