Johnathon...
Kasey...
Blake...
And so many more- way too many more.
Please pray for all the children still here with us and battling, especiually Jonathan S., and Corey today.
A group of Boston ironworkers is building more than just a new cancer treatment center. The ironworkers are sending a powerful message to hundreds of young cancer patients -- one name at a time.
"It was spontaneous. I think one child put their name on a window. One ironworker saw that name, spray painted, 'Hi Kids,' and then that name on a beam -- and it just grew from there," said Michael Walsh, a general foreman with Ironworker Local 7.
As the workers of the union local maneuver the building's heavy iron beams into place, they are being watched by scores of children in the glass walkway at the neighboring Jimmy Fund Clinic, part of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Each day, the children, many of whom are being treated for aggressive cancers, raise signs in a window with their names written on them for the construction workers to see.
"You put your name on a piece of paper and then hold it up to the window and the people will see and then they'll spray paint your name on," said 10-year-old Tommy.
Tommy, whose vision has been restored by chemotherapy treatments at the clinic, knows his name is on a third floor beam.
"Now I know I'm always part of this building," he said.
The workers paint the names of the children on girders in bright-colored spray paint. The patients watch intently and cheer as the I-beams with their first names -- Ryan, Allen, Nolan, Kristen, Giovanni, Patrice, Ronald, Katie, Jacob -- painted brightly on them are hoisted into place for a new building; a building that will later be used by Dana-Farber to treat them.
"Every week when we come, we get something new, something to look forward to," said Tina Fuoco, mother of Nicholas, a 12-year-old Dana-Farber patient.
"Even if they can't see it when it's all complete, they know that their names are in there forever," Nicholas said.
Through freezing wind, workers have paid tribute to more than 100 children with the fluorescent paint.
"It's been a tough winter. Cold. Snowy," said Walsh, a 27-year veteran. "But this job, the men have been plowing through because they know they're going to see the kids."
The beams give these young children a special way of knowing that they are cared for -- and are not alone.
"It's a simple act of kindness. And they don't even understand how much it means -- you know, not only to her but to the entire family," said Liz Hoenshaw, mother of Dana-Farber patient.
The ritual began in 1996 when the ironworkers built the Research Laboratories at Dana-Farber. It seemed natural to do it again. The ironworkers said it's a way to honor the children.
"You're bringing a little bit of joy into their lives," Walsh said. "So this job is probably one of those jobs most of us will never forget. There's a lot of softies up there working for me right now."
He was so little
But his heart so big,
He touched so many ,
He helped them find God.
His smile was like no other,
Brightening the darkest souls,
His eyes shared the biggest secrets,
On how life was all worth it.
But on that day ,
That cold but sun filled day,
Our hearts were aching,
His eyes were closed.
Smiles only appeared thru tears,
As we stared at his sweet face.
We were all standing together,
With very little understanding .
Why do loving little boys,
Full of beauty and strength ,
Have to leave theirs mothers,
fathers and brothers way too early.
Balloons went up to Heaven,
Faces turned up to the sky,
Beautiful, bittersweet times,
Fly high little ones…
Surrounded by so many ,
Friends, family , strangers,
All gathered around…
Why this overwhelming feeling of loneliness?
The sun was brightly shining ,
The tears freely flowing
My world stopped turning,
The day I buried my son…
Mimi( 01-10/11-2009)
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Megan's WishSome kids wish for a new bike for the holidays, others a new video game or maybe even a puppy. But young Megan has a much different wish this holiday season and it is the same wish that Children's Cancer Research Fund hopes to fulfill "to zoom away cancer." Every year more than 12,000 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States and for the past few decades, this number has been increasing. Help us make Megan's wish come true. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now! |
