Picture of the Day – Unhappy Meals

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 11, 2009 

 

Editor’s Note: PETA’s Bloody ‘Unhappy Meals’ Making Parents Angry

“Unhappy Meals” featuring a knife-wielding Ronald McDonald and bloody rubber chickens are upsetting parents who say the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are unfairly targeting their kids at McDonald’s restaurants across the country.

 

 

Source: Glenn Beck     Fox News

Hero of the Week – Tony Leal

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 11, 2009

Editor’s Note: Each Week we will be Honoring people or groups that are making a difference in helping others especially during this tough times in America.

When we as Americans are put through a test, we come out in flying colors on the other side.

We would like to know what you think? And if you know someone or group that we can Honor. You can contact us at dan@youngchronicle.com

This week we will be honoring: Tony Leal. Here is his story:

I first became involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation ^® of America in 1987 when I was working for Discover Card. At that time, our company was only two years old, and we were looking for a national charity to support as a company. We looked at many organizations but chose the Make-A-Wish Foundation in part because of its wonderful mission and also the financial needs of the organization at the time. I became the main contact for the Foundation at Discover Card, and soon I was working with Make-A-Wish ^® staff on marketing programs and developing sponsor relationships with some of our merchants.

My wife, Norma, and I became supporters because we love children and the organization’s mission. We are truly blessed to have four children and 10 grandchildren of our own, and we know how precious family memories are.

My involvement with the organization as a volunteer goes back to 1987, and it has had a tremendous impact on my life. I’ve been involved at the chapter and national levels as a board member, and also as a wish granter. I’ve seen the tremendous growth of the organization and the impact that granting wishes has on wish kids and their families all over the world.

Several years ago, Norma and I set up a living trust, and as part of that we also established a charitable lead trust. We handle our annual giving through the charitable lead trust, but we also felt it was very important to include the Make-A-Wish Foundation as a recipient of a bequest from our estate. We wanted to do our part to share the power of a wish^® for many years to come. Working with our trust attorney made the process simple. There are a number of financial instruments available that can take today’s dollars and literally multiply them several times over, ensuring a much larger donation to the organization in the future. This will allow you to ensure that future wish kids experience the hope, strength and joy that comes from having their wish granted.

Source: Make A Wish Foundation

Judge Sonia Sotomayor First Hispanic to Sit on High Court

By Laura Leigh Davidson

August 11, 2009

Judge Sonia Sotomayor (pronounced so-toe-my-OR) has made history. The United States Senate voted Thursday to confirm, or approve, Sotomayor, making her the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice. Sotomayor is the third woman to become a Justice of the Supreme Court. She follows Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

President Barack Obama spoke shortly after the Senate vote, which was 68 for Sotomayor and 31 against her.

“I’m pleased and gratified the Senate confirmed Judge Sotomayor,” he said. “This is a wonderful day for Judge Sotomayor and her family. But I also think it’s a wonderful day for America.”

Sotomayor watched the historic vote from the New York City courthouse where she has served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals, The Washington Post reported.

Path to the Court

Sotomayor’s journey to the nation’s highest court began in May, when President Barack Obama chose her as his nominee to replace retiring Justice David Souter.

In July, Sotomayor went through confirmation hearings before members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. For three days, she answered Senators’ questions about her experience with the law.

The Judiciary Committee voted 13-6 to send Sotomayor’s nomination to the full Senate. Senators then spent this week debating whether or not Sotomayor should be a Supreme Court Justice.

The new Justice will take a sacred oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, probably within the next few days. In September, there will likely be a formal ceremony to officially welcome her to the Court. Sotomayor will take her place on the bench when the Court’s new session begins in the fall.

Her Story

Sotomayor is 55 years old. She is the daughter of Puerto Rican immigrants who arrived in New York City during World War II.

Sotomayor’s father died when she was 9 years old. Her mother, Celina, worked two jobs to support Sotomayor and her brother by herself. Sotomayor says her mother’s sacrifices made her professional success possible.

Sotomayor has more than 30 years of experience in law. She has served as a federal judge since 1992. Before that, she worked as a lawyer in New York City.

What’s Next?

Sotomayor will join eight other Justices on the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch of the U.S. government. As the nation’s highest court, it represents the top level of legal authority in the country.

The Supreme Court checks the powers of Congress and the President. It does this by hearing cases that challenge laws passed by Congress and signed by the President. The Court also hears challenges to laws passed at the state level. By a majority vote of the Justices, the Court has the power to overturn any law that it considers unconstitutional, or not in agreement with the U.S. Constitution.

With the Court’s power to strike down laws, each of its nine Justices has an enormous amount of influence. Justices can remain on the Court for the rest of their lives. They decide for themselves how long they stay. The men and women who serve on the Court can affect our nation’s laws for years to come.

Source: Scholastic News Online

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Who Were Our Presidents? Part 3

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 10, 2009

Editor’s Note: How many of us along with our children? Know who our Presidents were and what they have done in Office.

Each week we will pick a President and tell you about them and their accomplishes.

We hope that you will enjoy this series. And let us know what you think? dan@goldcoastchronicle.com

3. THOMAS JEFFERSON 1801-1809

In the thick of party conflict in 1800, Thomas Jefferson wrote in a private letter, “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”

This powerful advocate of liberty was born in 1743 in Albemarle County, Virginia, inheriting from his father, a planter and surveyor, some 5,000 acres of land, and from his mother, a Randolph, high social standing. He studied at the College of William and Mary, then read law. In 1772 he married Martha Wayles Skelton, a widow, and took her to live in his partly constructed mountaintop home, Monticello.

Freckled and sandy-haired, rather tall and awkward, Jefferson was eloquent as a correspondent, but he was no public speaker. In the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress, he contributed his pen rather than his voice to the patriot cause. As the “silent member” of the Congress, Jefferson, at 33, drafted the Declaration of Independence. In years following he labored to make its words a reality in Virginia. Most notably, he wrote a bill establishing religious freedom, enacted in 1786.

Jefferson succeeded Benjamin Franklin as minister to France in 1785. His sympathy for the French Revolution led him into conflict with Alexander Hamilton when Jefferson was Secretary of State in President Washington’s Cabinet. He resigned in 1793.

Sharp political conflict developed, and two separate parties, the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans, began to form. Jefferson gradually assumed leadership of the Republicans, who sympathized with the revolutionary cause in France. Attacking Federalist policies, he opposed a strong centralized Government and championed the rights of states.

As a reluctant candidate for President in 1796, Jefferson came within three votes of election. Through a flaw in the Constitution, he became Vice President, although an opponent of President Adams. In 1800 the defect caused a more serious problem. Republican electors, attempting to name both a President and a Vice President from their own party, cast a tie vote between Jefferson and Aaron Burr. The House of Representatives settled the tie. Hamilton, disliking both Jefferson and Burr, nevertheless urged Jefferson’s election.

When Jefferson assumed the Presidency, the crisis in France had passed. He slashed Army and Navy expenditures, cut the budget, eliminated the tax on whiskey so unpopular in the West, yet reduced the national debt by a third. He also sent a naval squadron to fight the Barbary pirates, who were harassing American commerce in the Mediterranean. Further, although the Constitution made no provision for the acquisition of new land, Jefferson suppressed his qualms over constitutionality when he had the opportunity to acquire the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon in 1803.

During Jefferson’s second term, he was increasingly preoccupied with keeping the Nation from involvement in the Napoleonic wars, though both England and France interfered with the neutral rights of American merchantmen. Jefferson’s attempted solution, an embargo upon American shipping, worked badly and was unpopular.

Jefferson retired to Monticello to ponder such projects as his grand designs for the University of Virginia. A French nobleman observed that he had placed his house and his mind “on an elevated situation, from which he might contemplate the universe.”

He died on July 4, 1826.

Editor’s Note: Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Purchase, this doubled the USA. Thomas Jefferson also was an author of the Declaration of Independence; he was one of five men to do this.

We would like to know what you think? And if you can answer the questions below? dan@youngchronicle.com

Can you answer these Thomas Jefferson questions?

1. How much money did President Thomas Jefferson owe when he died in 1826?
2. What was omitted from Thomas Jefferson’s epitaph?
3. What were the differences between Alexander Hamilton’s and Thomas Jefferson’s view on the construction?
4. Show you a Thomas Jefferson 1c stamp?

Source: White House Wiki. Answers

Ready for School in Tight Economy

By Apples 4 the Teacher
August 10, 2009

There’s no denying that the economy is having an effect on plans for back-to-school spending.
According to a recent report from the National Retail Federation, the average family is expected to spend 7.7 percent less this year for back-to-school purchases. On average, families with K-12 students will spend $548.72 on merchandise to begin the 2009-2010 school year, compared with spending $594.24 for school year 2008-2009. Overall, this year’s back-to-school spending is estimated to total $17.42 billion.

Here are a few ideas designed to help you get the biggest bang with fewer back-to-school bucks.

Make a Plan

First of all, develop a shopping list and a strategy. What would you like to purchase this year? What do you need to purchase this year? How do the two lists overlap? Is any trimming necessary?

Next—and most importantly—set a budget. Make certain it’s a realistic budget that can include all of the items on your list. Try not to overspend before school starts. There are plenty of unexpected expenses that are likely to crop up in the early months of the new school year.

Where to Shop

Discount stores, office supply superstores, online stores, and other retail outlets offer a variety of ways to stretch your school-bound spending.

According to the National Retail Federation, discount stores will be the preferred spending stop. Drugstores, however, will see a sizeable increase in back-to-school sales with 21.5 percent of families shopping there, an increase of 18 percent from 2008.

Keep an eye out for sales flyers for all of your area stores, especially the larger chain stores. Match the flyers and the prices to your shopping list and budget. Don’t let the flyers create a new—and even bigger—shopping list for you.

Note that some of the office superstores offer in-store specials or free shipping on Internet orders.

Online stores continue to offer new and innovative ways to explore the back-to-school market. Special pricing for lunchboxes, school uniforms, educational software, and electronics are just some of the bargains to be found online.

Lunchboxes.com provides access to what it claims is the largest online selection of new lunch boxes for children and adults. The entire inventory can be accessed by type (metal, plastic, insulated, thermoses, and accessories) or by use (school, work, or play). A Lunchbox Extras section provides access to a Girl Zone, Boy Zone, What’s New, Summertime, and The Lunch Room. The site features a banner proclaiming that the lunchboxes are tested to be lead safe. The lunchbox selections available when this article was written covered a variety of interests—from the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team to Kill Bill, Lord of the Rings, Snoopy, and even Junior Mints. The prices were reasonable; a $6.95 flat rate for U.S. shipping applies.

The best prices on school uniforms can be found in the month of July. This is part of a conscious effort to stem the flood of last-minute uniform shopping that always occurs at the start of a new school year. July is also the best time to find uniforms in hard-to-fit sizes, since these are available in small quantities that tend to sell out first.

The school uniform shop at www.Sears.com is offering many uniform pieces at 40% off while they last. As this article was written, Old Navy—online at Oldnavy.gap.com—was offering free shipping with uniform purchases. Check your favorite web site to see what special offers you may be able to find.

A uniform-focused school may schedule days when students can dress out of uniform. Check with school administrators to find out if any special school clothing such as school logo t-shirts and sweatshirts can be worn. These items may be sold by the school’s P.T.A. or other fundraising organization; school staff members can tell you where they can be purchased. The staffers may even be able to tell you when these items will be on sale.

All is not quiet on the spending front, however. One area of back-to-school spending is slated to see an increase this year—electronics, including computer equipment and other items. This area is expected grow 11 percent over last year, or an average of $167.84 per family.

You can stretch your technology dollars a long way with a stop at online software and hardware retailers that offer special education discounts, such as www.JourneyEd.com and  www.AcademicSuperstore.com. These sites offer substantial discounts to students with the appropriate student identification. When this article was written, deeply discounted products on these sites included Microsoft Office Professional 2007, Adobe Acrobat 9 Professional, a VisTablet Graphics Tablet (12 x 10), and more.
Get Results

You can do more shopping with less money, even for back-to-school purchases. Simply do your research, make your plan, and keep yourself on track.

Source: Apples 4 Teacher

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Books Rule!

By Billie Elias
August 10, 2009

Despite the onslaught of electronic toys and gadgets that “read” to your child (instead of books and games helping your child learn to read while they’re playing), learning to read will not be going out of fashion anytime soon. With most of America’s school children heading back to school next month, it’s time to dust off the books. Sadly, in our country 33% of all 4th graders cannot read at even a basic level, according to the 2007 National Center for Educational Statistics “Reading Report.”
 

What’s a parent to do?  Plenty!

In a read-aloud entry in  my parenting blog

I reported that the reading experts tell us that reading to your children is so important that even after they know how to read, we should still be reading to them!  Not only is it a cozy way to snuggle up and share precious moments with your child, but you’re sending the message that you value them:  they are important enough for you to break away from whatever adult task you were involved with to devote some time to just them.

It’s never too soon to get baby acclimated to sitting quietly for a few minutes, gradually building up to five or ten. Bedtime is another great time to read, but shouldn’t be the only time. You can start with fabric books or board books, textures that baby’s teething won’t instantly destroy. A couple suggestions for you to add to baby’s first library: Baby Bear’s Bedtime  Ladybug’s Lesson I also previously reported that since babies start learning language from birth, reading aloud exposes them to the sounds of human speech.  By the age of two, children know between 300-500 words. Children who are spoken to and read to frequently, have larger vocabularies and develop into better readers.

I have the fondest memories of a storybook that was read to me as a child.  My mother and father never seemed to tire of reading the same stories and poems over and over again.  The book happened to be an anthology of different writers, but the two-color illustrations that accompanied each story were indelibly written in my brain, along with some of my favorite stories.

I have yet to forget Mr. & Mrs. Apple naming their children after different types of apples (Jonathan, Winesap, Delicious, Baldwin) or of Mr. Apple going to the library to research the names as they added more and more children to their family.  There were Nina and Ted who looked forward each year to their winter vacation at their aunt and uncle’s home in Vermont where they tapped the trees for sap, turned it into maple syrup and ate it on their aunt’s delicious pancakes.  There was also Rosa-too-little, for that’s what they kept calling her until she could finally sign her name to get her very own library card.

These weren’t just stories; they were stories where I was learning something about my world.  Our local libraries have children’s librarians just waiting to help match you and your child with the ideal book, from picture book to non-fiction to chapter book.

For a beginning reader, you might choose an interactive book to encourage a love of reading.  “Ahoy, Pirate Pete” and “Once Upon a Time”  are almost magical, with picture pieces that are stored on each page that you change each time you read the story, creating a new tale with each re-reading.  “Dear Tooth Fairy” is another interactive book with small envelopes containing letters written by the Tooth Fairy to the little girl who refuses to leave her tooth under the pillow. Other early readers may experiment with word sounds like “bat, rat, cat, ratatattat” or “car, cat, cut, cot….bot, not, sot, rot, tot.”  I discuss this at length in banana-fana-fofana.

We know that children can understand books read aloud to them at several grade levels above their own reading level.  This serves to broaden their vocabulary at the same time as they are digesting more complex sentence structure.  A perfect book to read (and work on) together is “Puzzle Island.”  It’s a unique book that involves unscrambling letters to form the names of animals whose pictures are hidden deep within the book’s illustrations.  One important tip to having “quality time” together with your child is doing something that you also enjoy.

Sharon Duke Estroff writes some other suggestions for activities that will inspire kids to read:  help your child choose books appropriate to their reading level if they will be reading without you, bring books with you everywhere you go to reduce boredom, join a parent/child book club, read books of movies your child has seen, read from magazines written on topics of interest to your child, keep books in the car to use during traffic jams, listen to books on tape (and follow along).

 

Editor’s Note: Mrs. Elias, Independent Executive Manager of Discovery Toys contact: billietoy@gmail.com.

You can see some of educational toys at http://www.toysofdiscovery.com/.

You can see her blog at billiediscoverytoys.blogspot.com. Mrs is also follow her her Twitter, www.twitter.com/billietoy

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Source: Toys of Discovery

In God We Trust!

By Cheree Zamarra
Spartanburg SC
August 10, 2009

Editor’s Note: This was sent to us by one of our readers, I would like to share it with you. I hope you like, it gives us a lot to think about.

We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

A little Biblical Humor to Start the Day…..

 

Q. What kind of man was Boaz before he married Ruth ?
A. Ruthless

 

Q. What do they call pastors in Germany ?
A. German Shepherds.

 

 

Q. Who w as the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.

 

 

Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?
A. Pharaoh’s daughter.. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a Little prophet.

 

 

 

Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David ‘s Triumph was heard throughout the land. Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord.

 

Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson . He brought the house down.

Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in in Eden ?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.

 

Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.

 

 

 

Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan . The banks were always overflowing.

 

 

Q. Who is the greatest babysitter mentioned in the Bible?
A. David He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.

 

Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua , son of Nun.

 

Q. Why didn’t they play cards on the Ark ?
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck. (.)

PS… Did you know it’s a sin for a woman to make coffee?
Yup, it’s in the Bible. It says . . ‘He-brews’

KEEP SMILING!!!! GOD LOVES YOU BUNCHES AND BUNCHES !!!!
Friends are God’s way of taking care of us.

Hero of the Week – Steven Carter

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/GCC
August 10, 2009

Editor’s Note: Each Week we will be Honoring people or groups that are making a difference in helping others especially during this tough times in America.

When we as Americans are put through a test, we come out in flying colors on the other side.

We would like to know what you think? And if you know someone or group that we can Honor. You can contact us at dan@youngchronicle.com

This week we will be honoring: Steven Carter. Here is his story:

“Lots of people ask me why I make the drive from Missouri to Tennessee every other week to donate platelets. It’s simple. Knowing that I’m helping a child is the greatest pleasure I can get.”

Many years ago, a boy from my hometown in Missouri went to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for treatment. As a result of his experiences, I learned about the great research and clinical care that occurs at the hospital. After he passed away, I wanted to find a way to give back to St. Jude. I began donating money and, since I had just moved to Memphis, I also began donating platelets at the hospital’s Blood Donor Center.

Even though I later relocated to Mississippi and then to Missouri, I knew I needed to continue helping the children. So, for the past seven years, I have returned to Memphis every two weeks to donate platelets.

Lots of people ask me why I make that drive from Missouri to Tennessee so often. It’s simple. Knowing that I’m helping a child is the greatest pleasure I can get.

Ever since I began donating, I’ve been encouraging my friends and relatives to tour St. Jude and donate platelets. Some have taken me up on the offer; some haven’t, but I spread the word as much as I can.

The donation process is actually enjoyable. I walk in with a big, old smile, and everybody in the Blood Donor Center greets me. Then I go through the interview process. They check my iron and take my temperature. Then I climb into an easy chair, put on my headphones and watch TV while I donate.

It’s not hard. You could sit at home for an hour or so watching a movie on TV. Why not spend that time at St. Jude donating platelets—knowing that you’re helping a child in need?

The drive home is always great. I go home with a smile, knowing that I’ve helped somebody. I never have a bad day when I come to St. Jude.

Since I’ve spent so many hours in the St. Jude Blood Donor Center, I’ve had the chance to meet a few of the children who come in there to receive platelets. Those kids are far stronger than I am. They always have a smile on their faces.

No matter where I am in the country, I’ll continue to come back every other week. My message to you is this: Please help! The children of St. Jude need as much help as they can get.

Every day St. Jude performs about 15 to 25 platelet transfusions for children undergoing treatment at the hospital. If the St. Jude Blood Donor Center does not have enough donated platelets, it must purchase them at a cost of $500 to $700 per unit.

By donating platelets at St. Jude, you can help a child while helping the hospital save money. If you plan to be in the Memphis area, why not consider making an appointment to donate? Simply call (901) 595-2024 or dial toll-free 1-866-2STJUDE (278-5833), ext. 2024

Source: St. Jude Hospital

 

Soldier of the Week – SFC William Tomlin III

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 8, 2009

Editor’s Note:
Hometown: Barkhamsted, CT
Awarded: Silver Star

After two full days of fierce fighting in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, approximately 300 enemy fighters began closing in on SFC William Tomlin III and his scout platoon of 45 soldiers. They were part of the U.S. Army’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

It was April 9, 2007, about 9:30 a.m., with the temperature already near a scorching 120 degrees. Tomlin, as the scout platoon leader, was maneuvering his platoon near Chakak, Afghanistan to extend the battalion’s security zone when he heard the sharp crack of incoming hostile fire from enemy fighters. Immediately, he sprang into action and instinctively ordered a small team of snipers to scout for the incoming enemy, but soon enemy gun fire and rocket propelled grenades rained down on the team halting their efforts.

Tomlin immediately rose to the occasion to lead a dismounted counter-attack against the enemy forces which had closed to within 15 meters of the platoon’s location.

“I grabbed three or four guys with me, and we moved into a position where we could suppress the bad guys,” said Tomlin.

During a non-stop six hour battle, Tomlin had one goal in mind – keep his fellow soldiers safe while not being overrun by enemy forces that had his platoon outnumbered six to one. He surged ahead of friendly forces to single-handedly employ multiple weapon systems including fragmentary hand grenades, AT-4s and his M4. Simultaneously, he directed the fires of platoon-organic heavy weapon systems.

By the third assault, Tomlin was suffering from severe dehydration and was near exhaustion, according to his award citation. But, he was able to work hand-in-hand with his Joint Tactical Air Controller, directing the devastating effects of close air support to within 100 meters of his platoon. Additionally, he organized reinforcements from four separate units into a cohesive element that ably completed the enemy’s destruction. These efforts helped lead his scout platoon to victory without a single American loss.

Tomlin’s leadership, personal courage, and selfless dedication in the presence of a determined, numerically superior enemy force were the difference between victory and defeat on this day. For his valorous actions, he was awarded the Silver Star.

Editor’s Note: From Excerpts from an article by Jim Moore in America’s North Shore Journal, Dec. 1, 2008.

• Hometown: Barkhamsted, CT
• Awarded: Silver Star

We would like to know what you think? dan@goldcoastchronicle.com

Source: Our Military

Patients of the Week – Javon and Jakayla Bass

By St. Jude/PIO
August 5, 2009

Javon and Jakayla Bass
8 and 3 years old

Diagnosis:

Javon was discovered to have acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in 2003 and his sister Jakayla was found to suffer from ALL in 2008.

Javon and Jakayla’s Story:
When Javon was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer. He underwent three years of chemotherapy at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Near the end of his treatment, doctors discovered Javon had suffered a relapse and would need more chemotherapy, as well as radiation. Javon began his new course of treatment at St. Jude, and was nearly always accompanied by his mom, Lisa, and baby sister, Jakayla.

In fall 2008, about a month before Javon finished treatment for a second time, Jakayla became sick. She had the symptoms of a cold, and then she stopped eating. Lisa took her to their local doctor, who did blood work. The results of those tests were troubling, and the doctor quickly referred the family to St. Jude.

At St. Jude:
Faced with the possibility that not one, but two, of her children were suffering from cancer, Lisa was devastated. “I thought I was in a dream, and I’d wake up,” she said. But she trusted the medical experts at St. Jude.

St. Jude doctors quickly determined that, like her brother, Jakayla suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She began an intense chemotherapy protocol.

Lisa says that it was hard for Javon to learn that his little sister had cancer too, but the Child Life specialists at St. Jude explained to him that he could help her get through it, and that made him feel better.

The two children couldn’t be closer. They like to sing together and play Gameboy™.

“Jakayla loves Javon,” Lisa said. “She wants him always by her side.”

And although Jakayla still has two more years of treatment to go, Lisa is happy to report that her little girl is in remission.

Editor’s Note: To help give hope to children like Javon and Jakayla who are fighting life-threatening illnesses, please become a Partner In Hope.

We would like to know what you Think? dan@goldcoastchronicle.com

Source: St Jude Hospital

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