What a busy day!

So as I mentioned earlier, Colette and I were interviewed by Ch 5 at the Red Cross Donor Center. She was a turkey, as usual, so they have plenty of footage to work with! ha! Colette's segment will air on MONDAY at 5:00 PM on Channel 5, and again on Tuesday morning, early! The blood drive is happening on Tuesday, Sept 11, at Colonial Bel Air Mall, next to Target. If everything goes right, I will have a table set up with ChemoMoms advertisements and some gold ribbons and cards. Anybody want to man the table with me that day????

Also, the Childhood Cancer Awareness bracelets can now be purchased AT USA CHILDREN'S & WOMEN'S HOSPITAL GIFTSHOP!!!! I dropped off a few today and the profit will benefit CHEMOMOMS!!! Yippee!!!

Thanks to those of you who visited here today. Colette's caringbridge site gets around 80 hits a day, but this one usually only gets 5 or so. Today this one has received 25!!! That's an all-time high!

I am also trying to use a TV and play the video from YouTube that is on Colette's website. I will just have to close my ears so I can't hear the song!! lol

With HOPE,
Tammy

Welcome Colette's Daily Readers!

I have invited you to view my blog. Things are really happening for ChemoMoms these past few days and it is only getting better. I can't update too much information yet because some things are still in the works, but you will be hearing and seeing more GOLD RIBBONS in Mobile in the next week or so! I think I finally reached the person I needed to in order to really get things in gear.

Today Colette and I are being interviewed by Channel 5 at the Red Cross Donor Center. They are preparing for the 9/11 blood drive and wanted some video to air on that day. I will let you know how that goes today, and when to watch on Tuesday, Sept 11.

ChemoMoms basket supplies are at an all-time low. No donated items have come in since June, therefore, I have nothing to make a basket with now. I spoke with the social worker at the hospital yesterday, and she only has 2 baskets left. Remember, these baskets go to NEW DIAGNOSES. I am in the process of designing another gift item to deliver to families who have been on this journey for a while, and need some encouragement. I am thinking a smaller "spa" type bag, along with maybe a bracelet or something like that. If anyone goes to Bath & Body Works, grab a couple of those trial size bottles and that would be perfect.

Also I changed the Donate button so you can donate ANY dollar amount. Thank you!

Be watching later this afternoon for another update, I should have some GOOD NEWS!!!

With HOPE,
Tammy

CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

It's finally "our" month! Yay! I have been very busy gearing up for this month. I have been passing out gold lapel ribbons that I make to anyone who will wear it! I also took 3 baskets to USA Children's & Women's yesterday, they were out. I am making gold awareness bracelets with silver-plate and gold-plate beads, Swarovski crystals and little gold ribbon charms to sell. Please spread the word to anyone you know, they are $25 each and ALL proceeds go to ChemoMoms. Here is a pic:







When making the baskets yesterday, I ended up buying almost everything for the last 2 baskets. That means I am completely OUT of everything now, except gum & mints. I don't even have any baskets or cellophane wrap! I am going to list again, the items I really need to put in the baskets.

Microwaveable meals
Lysol wipes
Purse size calendar (make sure it has some 2007 months in it)
Address book
toothbrush/toothpaste
travel size shampoo and conditioner
body wash
purse size hand sanitizer
digital thermometers
baskets
cellophane (like for Easter baskets, I know you can buy it cheaply at Fred's)

While at the hospital I ran into Dr. Wilson, she was happy to see Colette. She saw the baskets and I gave her one of the bracelets. She was glad to know we are doing so well.

I will post more later about the Movie Night this month for the kids. I am getting closer to having that finalized.

If you would like some small lapel ribbons, please comment back or email me and I will mail them to you. Also, we are making some LARGE ribbons for trees! Let me know if you want one!!

With HOPE,
Tammy

Hello There!

I hope everyone is getting into the school year ok! Now I am back into ChemoMoms in full swing since I have time again! haha

So I had some ideas and would like some input...

I would like to sponsor a Movie Night at the local children's hospital. Maybe play a DVD and have some movie type snacks just for the kids to get out of the rooms and maybe free up the
parents for a little while? It would even be cool to have the parents a special room set up with grown up appetizers and maybe a massage person?

Also, I have asked about the Thanksgiving plans around the hospital. I would LOVE to set up a nice dinner, complete with tablecloths, centerpieces and FRIED TURKEY! I have gone to a local mission to serve dinner to the homeless on Thanksgiving, but why not do it at the hospital?!! I am excited about this idea!

Let me know what you think! You can just post a comment below, or email me at chemomoms@yahoo.com

Check back later for more information!
With HOPE,
Tammy

Fourth of July Was a SUCCESS!

Thanks to everyone who donated to the party for USA Children's & Women's Hospital! The kids stayed in there with us more than 2 hours! I heard that one of the kids never leaves her room, but she hung out the WHOLE TIME with us!

We had ice cream sundaes/banana splits, cheeseburgers from McD's, watermelon, you name it! After the 2 hrs of crafts and music, we took the remaining crafts and balloons and cokes and burgers around the halls to all the folks who were unable to come to the party. It was really awesome to see them, all tucked in for the evening at 7:30 pm (that's just how it is inpatient) and we show up at the door with a stars and stripes balloon, drinks, and goodies! I wish I could do that every day!

I took pictures, but due to privacy issues, we can't post them online. I did learn that next time, I will get releases signed by the parents, then I can post them! We are already thinking forward to next year's party, to be held in a bigger room at the hospital. I am sure we will have a bigger turnout next year!

Please don't forget to donate. I have not needed a basket but I do have enough to get a couple made. I am sure we will be hearing from 2 families who are doing their pre-transplant workup right now. They will need gas money and food money, since they live 30 minutes past Mobile, and will be going to Children's in Birmingham. (This is the child I mentioned earlier, the one who stayed at the party the whole time.)


With HOPE,
Tammy

4th of July Party for kids!

So I am planning a July 4th party for the kids who are inpatient on Wednesday!

I still need your help to get everything finalized...
I plan to have banana splits, I have all the stuff except the bananas and ice cream
I would like to see if someone would donate a watermelon, the bananas and ice cream

I plan to get by Hobby Lobby on Monday or Tuesday to see if the manager will donate or give us a discount on some decorations or some red/white/blue leis or beads or ANYTHING! Whatever I buy will have to come out of my pocket, so the cheaper the better!

I have a few teens who said they would help at the hospital that afternoon. I plan to have the party at 5:30 pm. Since Jason is off that day, I hope we can get everything done early that afternoon. Since I can't drive and won't even be able to walk until the end of July, I need as much help as possible!

Can you help? Email me or call me if you can! 406-5820

With HOPE (for some volunteers and donated goodies)..
Tammy

ChemoMom in a Wheelchair!

Well I decided I needed some attention so I thought I would break my ankle and fibula! haha I actually was at youth camp in Talladega, AL, and stepped off a 4-inch sidewalk in the dark and broke my right leg. Talk about pain!!!

I am home now, but I can't walk on my foot for about 4 weeks. I had a 3-hour surgery on Thursday, so I am pretty much down for a while.

I have received 3 calls for ChemoMoms baskets at the local hospital! yay! I have enough to make 2 baskets but I haven't received any new supplies in a while. In fact, I will have to buy some shampoo/conditioner, some body wash, hand sanitizer and some Lysol antibacterial wipes.

If anyone would like to help, you can make a donation to my paypal account. I now have a debit card to use for that account so I can purchase ChemoMoms stuff separately. Even $10 would help me buy everything I need to finish the 3rd basket and possibly do 2 or 3 more!

Also, you can purchase items yourself and mail them to me. If you want my home mailing address, please email me and I will be more than happy to give it to you!

Thanks again!
With HOPE,
Tammy