| ANNUAL APPEAL |
October 2011 |
Dear Family and Friends,
Think for a moment, about a typical Monday morning. Where are you? Maybe you’re at your desk, or just got the kids off to school, perhaps you’re at the gym or in your car. Imagine the phone rings and life as you know it, changes. For us, it was 9:00am on January 6, 1997 when Mike picked up the phone and heard me cry “Meet me at Emanuel Children’s Hospital, something is wrong with Molly”. In a moment that went faster than a deep breath – our life changed, never to be the same.
Our 2½ year old, Molly, was diagnosed with Hepatoblastoma, a rare and deadly liver cancer. We would make this journey together – our family became the strongest force imaginable. We suited up and took the Front Lines on her 2 year battle against cancer. We spent half her life battling this cancer. We researched, we did trial studies, she underwent surgeries, we traveled for treatment and we hoped for a cure, but during all the medicine, all the scary treatments, all the hospitalizations, all the bad news… we lived!
A friend sings about Life not being about what you’re dealt, but how you deal with it. Molly choose Life, to Play until we collapsed, Laugh until our stomachs hurt, Sing until we lost our voices, Love each other 60-40 million (the biggest number she knew)… We gave her cancer the biggest challenge it could ever encounter – Molly led us in a victorious journey through life, acceptance, forgiveness, unity and paying forward.
Her infectious personality, comedic ways and generous spirit strengthened our family. She loved her hospital, adored her doctors and nurses and believed life revolved around her, and it did. Where there was Molly, there was a whirlwind of glitter and glam. She humanized the staff and she made the hospital a home, her influence still resonates in the rooms and on the halls of the 3rd floor. Because you couldn’t enter her room without passing signage that held no less than a bucket of glitter. She opened her “beauty shop” promptly after doctor rounds and anyone who came to visit, including boys, had to have their nails and hair done. Hospital personnel always knew when Molly was “in the house” because she wore tap shoes. When she got bored, she’d tell the Child Life Specialists to bring all the kids to the playroom for a party and we’d organize crafts and games, Molly claimed the playroom as hers, but was more than happy to invite you in.
With Molly, life wasn’t about receiving, but about giving. It is no surprise that on October 4, 1998 – just hours before she died, Molly said… “Mommy, Daddy, please take care of my hospital friends”… she wanted us to keep having parties so she could “fly there with her angel wings and play too”. We share this story with you because we don’t seek pity, our journey with Molly was beautiful. We carry on for her because she asked us to. Life can be rebuilt. She gave us the strength and laid the foundation for us to rebuild, with grace and passion, for life and fun.
Molly leaves her legacy. You see it in her sister who devotes her life to social work, in her community who continues to hold carwashes, penny drives and golf tournaments, in her honor. We embrace her Pay it Forward legacy and we take care of her hospital friends at The Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.
You have helped us meet the needs of her friends every year by donating what you can, it only takes a little bit from everyone, please consider a small donation, knowing that your gift will go directly to the children. $25 gives a child a toy from Santa.
$50 brings new video games to the patients, $100 sponsors an End Of Chemo Party. The possibilities are endless and we appreciate anything you can give. Giving a tax-deductible donation has been made easy and secure by clicking here to donate online.
When tomorrow is uncertain, we can give them today. Thank you for your help.
Warm wishes to you this holiday season,
Molly’s Family - Mike, Wendy & Bree Thompson
What did Molly's fund do 2011?
Molly's funding supports The Child Life Therapy Program at Emanuel Children's Hospital. The Child Life Therapy Program helps children cope with hospitalization and pain through play. Child Life Therapists are trained in the area of play and emotional support for children. They work closely with children and families, using a variety of techniques and services - such as music, animals and horticulture - to help minimize the stress of a hospital experience. Molly's money ensures they have the funds they need when their budget falls short.
End of Chemo Party
The end of chemotherapy treatment is a reason to celebrate and Party Big is the goal! Cake,
music, gifts, laughter and games help commemorate this milestone. Hospital friends gather with family and staff to take those first steps from hospital patient towards survivor. Molly's fund brings party favors, treats, gifts and memories to these families and patients.
Pediatric Holiday Party
Every year, The Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, serves thousands of children and their families. Children who battle cancer and life-threatening illnesses, children burned, in accidents, managing chronic illness or genetic concerns. Children who live everyday with armor, fighting to be a kid. So... we celebrate with them! Every December, the children who spent time hospitalized come together with their families and PARTY! Breakfast with Santa & his Elf, a DJ and music, community heroes, dancers, staff and volunteers party with the children through the transformed Magic Wonderland at their hospital.
Pediatric Unit Playroom
The 3rd floor of Emanuel Children's Hospital is more than a place to receive medical care; it's a place to be a kid! The playroom is painted, capturing and sharing the spirit of Molly with her friends, complete with a mini-hospital where children can learn about their own procedures and treatments through medical play, a special wall to hang their artistic master pieces, toys, trucks, videos, puzzles, games, and a special doll house, delivered personally by Molly weeks before she died.
The Children's Garden
When Molly was battling cancer, we spent quiet moments along the paths of the Children's Garden. The flowers were bulbs, the shrubs- just babies and the trees barely reached our shoulders. It was too young to attract birds and butterflies- a few of Molly's favorite things, so Molly decided the garden needed a bird house and pretty stepping stones to invite birds and butterflies. The butterfly house was placed, it bears her name, and Molly patiently taught her hospital friends how to make stepping stones out of concrete and small treasures. Today the garden has grown, the tree's are tall, providing shade, butterflies dance all around, birds sing and the stepping stones can still be found, placed in between the magical forest.
Wishes
Every once in a while, a child needs a little extra support. Many wishing organizations grant
one wish, others will grant a second, but sometimes a child's needs go beyond. Molly's fund allows The Childlife Specialists to reach out and offer support to a child who simply needs something else. Our wishes are simple; a wig, concert tickets, a photo album for a family who wants to remember, a bike, a computer or an IPad. We can do that with your help!
