Avarie is Officially a HERO!!!

These are pictures of Avarie playing dressup with her cousin Muirin. They had so much fun together.



After I wrote the post yesterday, I received a call from the Childrens Cancer Association. They are the main cancer group for children in the U.S. They called because our medical staff had nominated Avarie to be one of their 25 Hero's for the year 2009. Medical staff around the country nominate kids that they feel show tremendous strength and bravery through their fight with cancer. It can be any kind of cancer, because there are a lot, some of the names I can't even pronounce. Our staff nominated Avarie and she was choosen to be one of their Hero's. She will have a professional photo shoot, along with our family, and they will choose a picture of her that will go on their website and in their pamphlets for the year. Her story will be told and shared with others to try to help inspire and give strength to other families struggling with cancer. I am so proud of her to be receiving this honor. It is something that she will always be able to look back on and know that it is not just mom saying how strong she is, she is being recognized nationally for her strength and bravery. She truly is a Hero! and not just because mom says so. There will be a big unveiling of the 25 Hero's on September 13th, which is one day before her 5th Birthday. What a great birthday present. There are some other things that come along with it, but I don't know any of the details yet, they are sending the info in the mail. I am just so proud of her. It feels so validating to have her recognized in this way, and to know that other families around the country will be able to look at her and say "If she can survive all of that then so can I!" What a great gift for her to give the World, the gifts of Hope and Faith. Those truly are two of the greatest gifts there are in this world. What more can a mother want from her children. We all hope that they will find a way to make this world a better place. I am so proud to have a child that can and will rise above her challenges and inspire others and help to make someones world a better place. Avarie you are my Hero always, and now you are truly a Hero to the World!