Madeline Strong

I rarely post family news on this blog. Quilting is much more interesting than my family. But next week we are celebrating a great family event. My granddaughter was diagnosed with leukemia when she was just 3 days shy of her 14th birthday. Nine years later she is celebrating her 23rd birthday with 9 years of remission due to the life giving medication that was many, many years in research.

Madeline in Hospital 9 years ago                           Madeline's Joy Today

Did you know that only 4% of the US budget is allocated for childhood cancer research? Private donations are essential. Someone else's donations provided Madeline with her lifesaving medication. Madeline graduated from college this past December and last week started her first job. Instead of giving her a birthday gift this year Madeline has asked friends and family to donate to the Rally Foundation  rallyfoundation.org. She wants to give the gift of life to other children with cancer. A few years ago Madeline was asked to write a short essay about living with cancer. She started her essay by writing "When I got cancer, I found joy... Madeline is the joy of our family.