I am posting my 2013 Ride for Kids letter for you to read and if - TopicsExpress



          

I am posting my 2013 Ride for Kids letter for you to read and if you can, make a donation. The donation is not directly for Bayleigh, but the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Bayleigh and all the kids with brain tumors can benefit from your donation and prayers. Please take the time read the letter. Your prayers are appreciated. *********************************************************** August 9, 2013 Dear Friend, On September 8th, for my seventh year, I will be riding my motorcycle in the Ride for Kids. The Ride for Kids is a national fundraiser for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. I am riding in honor of my granddaughter Bayleigh and all children who suffer from a brain tumor. Every day eleven children are diagnosed with a brain tumor, and brain tumors are the deadliest of all childhood cancers. There are not many treatment options for pediatric brain tumors, and according to the PBTF, federal funding continues to decrease, so it is up to the PBTF to fund the research to find a cure. This is the 30th year for the fundraiser. According to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, the ride has raised more than $70.8 million. The Birmingham ride that I participate in has raised over $860,451. The proceeds of the ride are used to support critically needed medical research for pediatric brain tumors. The PBTF is the world’s largest non-governmental source of funding for pediatric brain tumor research. The foundation is a 501© (3) nonprofit organization that has funded more than 50 research institutions in the United States and other countries. Charity Navigator, the leading guide to charitable giving, has named the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation as one of its highest rated nonprofit organizations. This indicates that the PBTF consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way and out performs other charities. Bayleigh was asked to speak at the foundation’s yearly planning weekend at the headquarters in North Carolina. Betty and I went along with Bayleigh and family. Workers and volunteers from all over the country were there. We were so impressed with their dedication and hard work. They had meetings all weekend, with no time off. Bayleigh and her family were also featured in a video to be used for fundraising and recruitment. The video features slides following Bayleigh’s illness and the family speaking. I have included a link to the video at the bottom of this letter. In November of 2006, at nine years of age, Bayleigh was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Bayleigh has received care from Children’s Hospital, Johns Hopkins, St. Jude, and the renowned Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Institute at Duke Hospital, where Ted Kennedy was treated. She has had four surgeries, over one hundred and thirty weeks of chemotherapy, twenty-five rounds of radiation and has a shunt to relieve her symptoms. A little over two years ago, after five years of various treatments, Bayleigh’s tumor became much more aggressive, growing even through chemotherapy and massive radiation. We all were devastated. A new treatment plan was started, and for the first time since her diagnosis, the tumor responded with very noticeable shrinkage, but once off treatment the tumor was as large as it was before and quickly growing. Bayleigh’s oncologist was frantically searching for treatment. Bayleigh was placed on a new treatment plan and has been on it the entire past year. Her tumor has not shrunk; it has remained stable. We will possibly be seeking a new plan because she will probably have to discontinue her chemotherapy in the next month. New treatments are the answer for so many children, and I am working to raise funds for the research to find a cure for these children. The research will not only help the children, but all who suffer from brain tumors. Bayleigh is a constant inspiration for me. She is such a brave young girl in a valiant struggle, and all along the way she brightens the days for others because she is happy and always optimistic. She attends her church and believes that God has a definite purpose for her and her illness, and she is not going to let Him down. Bayleigh says that she will “sing and dance in the rain”. Bayleigh will be a junior at Gadsden City High School where she has attended since the ninth grade. On constant treatment, Bayleigh has remained a focused student. She has been on the honor roll the entire time. She has and will continue to take Advanced Placement classes. Bayleigh has received many awards. She received the Principal’s Award, and was on the student council, in the Beta Club, 4-H, and Builders Club, was student representative, and was awarded the Courage Award to represent Camp Smile-A-Mile. For this year, she has been chosen to be a Titan Ambassador to represent her school at official functions. She goes to Children’s Hospital to help other newly diagnosed children cope with the surgeries and all the new experiences they are having. The hospital often calls her when a new cancer patient comes in. Bayleigh has spoken to numerous organizations and churches about her experience. For two years, she was the top fundraiser for the Etowah County and Gadsden American Cancer Society. I am very proud to be a part of the effort and commitment for which the Ride for Kids stands. I am asking for your support to help find a cure for Bayleigh and all children who suffer from brain tumors. If you would like to help, I will be collecting donations for my ride in support of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Checks should be made out to PBTF. Please send your donations to my address which is at the end of the letter or call me at H (256) 442-6312 or Cell (256) 490-1684, and I will be glad to come by and pick it up. For donations to help me reach my goal for this year’s ride, donations must be received by me, by Friday, September 6th. I collect donations all year, so feel free to send in at any time. Please, ask your friends for their help, and thank you for your support. Sincerely, Phil Phillips 117 Nottingham Road Rainbow City, Al 35906 Visit these websites to learn more about Bayleigh, the Ride for Kids, and The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation caringbridge.org/visit/bayleighphillips (Bayleigh’s Caringbridge site) youtube/watch?v=_4jtsRQvP6c (video mentioned) pbtfus.org/rideforkids/ pbtfus.org/
Posted on: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 02:36:42 +0000

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