One Million Christmas Cards: Fighting for a Cause

During the holiday season, you may have read my articles about Noah Biorkman, a five-year-old little boy who died of neuroblastoma. When the doctors told his family that he would probably not make it until Christmas, they decided to celebrate the holiday early. Noah made a Christmas wish... he asked for as many Christmas cards as he could get before Christmas.

Here is an excert from the message his mother wrote on carepages.com one month after his death:

"Noah gave me a wake up call. It took over one million Christmas cards to do it, but he did. He was trying to tell me to make a difference in this world. He showed me what it meant to make a difference and all he did was smile for the camera and want something so innocent -- mail.

Isn't it the innocent things that make the most sense? I had forgotten that lesson as alot of us have with our busy schedules and lives. So during this holiday season, tell a stranger Merry Christmas, give a toy to a charity, give a smile to anyone, and most importantly -- love your family and don't forget to tell them so."

Noah's mother went on to say that she has new goals in life and the first was to spread the "power of Noah"...

So what is the power of Noah? I could explain it myself, but I think it means more to hear it from the person who spent all her time with Noah and shared it with us, again from his mother:

"I would like to talk a little about the Power of Noah. This is the phrase that the people that are in my life use to describe the things that have happened in the past few weeks.

Noah has received over one million Christmas cards, American flags flown from all over the world, letter from President Obama, and many medals from most of the branches of the military. It has been absolutely amazing to hear the stories of the individuals that have sent cards to us, as well. For example, one of the first cards that we received was from a local woman whose daughter had been killed in a car accident. She had stopped celebrating Christmas for over three years. Because of Noah's story, she sent him a card and plans on celebrating Christmas this year.

Two seventh graders were touched by Noah's story and wanted to do something to help. They sold donuts and sent a little over $500.00 to the University of Michigan.

The University of Michigan has named the Neuroblastoma Research Fund after Noah and is currently setting up a web page that will be dedicated to the Power of Noah. It will have information about Neuroblastoma, Noah's story, and ways to donate to the research fund online. Dr. Mody and Dr. Yanik are so excited about the Power of Noah. They haven't seen anything like this and are humbled that Noah chose for them to be part of it.

We have donated to Make-A-Wish with toys and books and gifts. Also, we have been able to give them checks that people sent along with donations to follow from the monies raised.

I want everyone to know that each and every card is being opened and read. It is a time consuming process and I have a staff that is working every day. We have many people that are helping and we all have found that it's quite therapeutic to read them. We all sit together and share stories and messages that are in the cards. We have all been surprised at how much fun we are having. We laugh and cry and just enjoy each other's company. Maybe that's the point. I don't know."

Personally, I am EXTREMELY moved at what one little boy and his mother could do in just a few short months... but the truth is, the majority of Noah's life was spent to bring awareness to Neuroblastoma and he is a little hero.

I don't know about you - but when I got the message that Noah had died - I was depressed for a long time. I kept thinking that now it is all over and there was no longer anything I could do. I mean, I could continue donating for Neuroblastoma and I will... BUT it meant a lot to me that so many of us were able to encourage a little dying child and KNOW his name and what he looked like etc...

And then I asked myself, WHY did I have to wait until I heard about another dying child... why can't we help the sick children who are living and perhaps are going to be in the hospital...

Then, as I was watching the news one morning I saw a story about a little boy named Brandon Brauns. And though I couldn't find the exact news article I watched, I would like to share a similar one with you:

Brandon Brauns is a 10-year old boy who is batting brain cancer. He has been in and out of the hospital several times - and though he has not been in the hospital over Christmas, he has been in the hospital during his birthday and other special occasions.

In spite of all of this, he organized a toy drive for the children who would be in the hospital over Christmas because he knows how it feels to miss out on special occasions.

I was so moved. Then I began to research and I found another little boy (who has also battled neuroblastoma) named Tyler Youtz (age 9) who started bringing presents to children 5 years ago when he wanted to bring gifts to a friend. This year, he helped collect 1,808 presents for children in the hospital!

These little boys have barely lived a decade (a VERY difficult decade) and yet they are putting so much energy into helping other children.

When I have a bad day, I sit around sulking that I am sick or tired or whatever it is that is bringing me down. I am ashamed. I haven't experienced anything half as bad as these CHILDREN and yet they are far more grown and have such a greater purpose. They give of themselves even though they have had to fight to stay alive on occasions.

I want to do something about it - and I will. This year I want to find out how I can personally be involved in helping children who are in the hospital over the holidays or even during their birthdays. I don't want to wait until the next dying child asks for Christmas cards - I WANT TO HELP NOW! I don't have much - I really don't - but I have a voice and I will use it...

I think it would be incredible if this year another million cards were sent out to various children in hospitals to help lift their spirits and help them keep fighting. It is one thing to give money to neuroblastoma or other diseases - it is another thing to personally give hope to a child who is fighting. Though I know both are important, I want to be involved in touching lives.

Thing is... I can't afford 1,000,000 cards and I don't know that many kids... so I need help... I have a few ideas on where I can start looking - but it is a huge undertaking. What I would like to know is - would any of you like to help as well in doing a simple thing to boost the spirits of a little child? Please let me know - or leave a comment to help me figure out a plan (I am bad at planning).

Thank you for reading.

Luci