A friend approached me looking for another volunteer to help with Flashes of Hope. I really wasn’t so sure what I was getting into, but the scheduling worked out so I agreed to help out. Flashes of Hope raises funds to accelerate a cure for children’s cancer while honoring the unique life and memories of every child fighting cancer. These families were all together at Camp Geneva in Holland which is a beautiful place!
Unlike many adult cancers, childhood cancer cannot be prevented and the cause of most childhood cancers are unknown. There are 35,000 children in active treatment this year alone and only 1 drug has been developed for pediatric cancer in 20 years! Childhood cancer receives only 4% of federal funding for research while adult cancer receives 60%. 3 out of 4 childhood cancer survivors have long term illness and 40% suffer severe illness or death from illness. The average age of death for a child with cancer is 8 years old.
Statistics aside, it’s been a year of gratefulness, reflection and a realization that God is no respecter of persons. I cry a lot more this year. I plead with God a lot more each year that passes. I pray a lot for his covering over my child and my unborn child(ren). I weep for the mothers and fathers saying goodbye to their children much much too early. My heart grieves for them now that I am a parent. Each day I age the next day becomes more precious to me. I have no idea what tomorrow will hold. I could think all is right with the world today, but tomorrow it could crash down. Life is sometimes much much shorter than you think. The sayings may be cliche, but they are so true. Cherish today and live to the fullest. Drink it all in.
Color Splash Studio specializes in family, newborn, child, birth and wedding photography in Kalamazoo, MI and the surrounding area including but not limited to Grand Rapids, Holland and the Lakeshore.