I am really struggling to find a way to start this post so please bear with me as I fumble through it.
I have been through some hard things in my life. All of which pale in comparison to what my friend Amanda is going through. Amanda has been my sister Miranda’s best friend since elementary school. She is so wonderful and such a great mom to her 4 little kiddies. Can you guess which one is my sister?
A few weeks ago I got a call from my mom. She told me that Amanda had just found out that her 2 year old son Boston had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancer.
There were no huge red flags that pointed to cancer. It took weeks of testing to find out Boston’s diagnosis. Can you even imagine?
All I wanted to do was hug them tight and promise that I would do whatever I could to ease this trial that they have been given. In that moment I was overcome with gratitude for you. I am only one person, but I have been blessed with a whole bunch of internet besties that are beyond awesome. I knew you could help.
Are you familiar with PS I Adore You? It is a shop started by 3 moms that are personally affected by childhood cancer. A portion of the proceeds go to cancer research. Every month they feature a Cancer Cutie that you can donate to specifically. All of the money that is donated to this cutie goes directly to the family of the child.
Our Boston is the Cutie for the month of November. And I am pretty sure that they couldn’t have named it better. It doesn’t get any more sweet than this face.
But.
The best part of this entire endeavor is that every donation that Boston receives this month is being matched by Millie’s Princess Foundation.
I believe that when something is built on love it has a strength that cannot be comprehended. I feel this strength from both of these amazing foundations. They were born out of love by parents who are not willing to give up on their kids or anyone else’s.
I know that Amanda and Matt and everyone that loves them will be different because of this. The level of compassion and gratitude that they will have when all is said and done is not something that cannot simply be taught. You have to be changed. And they are in the fire right now.
I know that this time of year is hard for a lot of people. Stories of strangers dealing with insurmountable trials touch our hearts. They make us pause and hug our kids a little tighter, but then we move on. The reality of our lives takes hold and things like homework and holidays require our attention. But the pain that we felt for the moments that this stranger’s story touched us is their reality. Day in and day out.
So while you are here in this moment with them please do something. Share Boston’s story, donate, pray for them, tell your kids how much you love them. Because to me they are not strangers.
(Insert team huddle)
We have 3 weeks and 1 day to give this family the biggest financial head start we can on the next 3.5 years. (That is how long treatment for Boston’s ALL will take.) Matt and Amanda need to be able to focus on Boston’s fight, not the fall out from all of the financial expenses. So what do you think? Want to help?
Click the link below to donate (and remember that all the donations are being matched!)
And if you are not in a place to donate we still need you! Thoughts, prayers, and kind words are just as important (if not more!)
Annnnnnd BREAK!!
I hope you guys have a great weekend full of happiness, because you absolutely deserve it.
Oh I’m so sorry for this sweet little boy and his family. My nephew was diagnosed the same as Boston nearly 3 years ago and is thankfully doing amazing! He’s in to what is now called the “maintenance” stage of treatments and while they are not fun (chemo and steroids monthly makes him all sorts of onery!) his outlook is 100% full recovery. I’ll keep little Boston and his family in my prayers, the next few years won’t be ideal, but the outlook for little ones diagnosed with Leukemia are pretty amazing! xoxo
Donated. OMG! Please keep us updated, if possible. I can’t imagine going through this with our little one. 🙁
Thank you so much for using your platform to help spread the news and gain support for causes like this. We will certainly be praying for Boston and we made a donation. It’s not much, but I hope it helps ease the burden a little.
Oh my heart is absolutely breaking for this precious boy & his family. I cannot even imagine. Thank you for making us aware of their situation & how we can help. Going to donate now & say many prayers for them. xoxo Jesse
Oh, my heart is breaking for this precious boy and his family. I cannot even imagine…thank you so much for bringing awareness to their situation and allowing us to help. I will be donating to this sweet family and they will continue to be in my prayers. xoxo Jesse
Has the family thought to contact St. Jude Hospital on Memphis, Tenn. The family can contact the hospital and if accepted, the family will never receive a bill. St. Jude will also give the parents a place to stay during treatment time.
St. Jude Hospital will treat the child until age 18 if needed.
This hurts my heart so much. I have a two-year-old son, too. Thank you for sharing this story so that we can help this beautiful family.
Thank you for sharing his story Mandi. I have two boys ages 2 yrs and 5 yrs. I cannot even begin to imagine how scary this must be for Boston and his family. My heart breaks for them. We will add Boston to our daily prayer list. Please keep us updated on his treatment. Praying the donations pour in!
My cousin lost her baby son to cancer – different kind, but still cancer – a few years ago. It still brings me to tears to think about him, her, her husband, the whole experience. It’s unspeakably heartbreaking. Really great that you’re jumping in to help here – it’s a hard road they have ahead.
Donated! I have a little man the same age. I can’t even imagine… Sending prayers to Boston and his family.
I just donated. Sending prayers too! Thanks for the opportunity to give to someone in need! 🙂
Sending prayers for your friend’s son and family. I am a leukemia survivor, having had a stem cell transplant almost 3 years ago. It is heartbreaking to hear of “little ones” afflicated with any kind of life threatening disease…
My husband had ALL, as an adult, which we were told was much worse when adults have the childhood forms of anything. After 2 long years of almost constant hospitalization, bone marrow transplants and numerous other issues that accompany this, he is well and considered in remission. I will send prayers up for a full recovery. I know the toll this takes – financially, emotionally and spiritually. My thoughts will be with Boston and his family.
I have a 2 year old son with blonde hair and big brown eyes. Boston and he look like they could be brothers. I donated–keep us posted on how he and his family are doing.
Done.
This is so horrible and one of my worst nightmares. My heart goes out to your friends and I wish them the strength to get through this. Sending lots of love.
Just donated, and will keep this family in my prayers!
Thanks for posting this, Mandi. I appreciate an opportunity to step outside my daily routine and think about what others are going through, and to actually have an opportunity to help is wonderful. I am grateful for my blessings and am praying for this sweet little family.
How awful.. Thoughts and prayers go out to Boston and his family.. I’ll be sure to spread his story.
Hey! My heart broke when I read this. My little girl was diagnosed with ALL, July of 2011. She just completed treatment two months ago. It is a long journey, a great support system and prayer goes a long way!
We will add little Boston to our prayer list.
Thank you for sharing this! Reaching out sometimes helps the healing process.
God Bless!
Jessica & Maci
I could not believe my eyes when I read that on her Instagram post. It’s still hard to believe. What a blessing that you can spread the word to so many. No question it is going to help! I have tears welling up in my eyes, and I get them each time I see a new post about little Boston. I’m praying hard for him and Amanda’s whole family.
I hope all the best for them! Just shared quite a few goodies from ps i adore you to fb, and a link to boston’s story! I hope it helps!!!
I found your blog just last week and quickly added it to my favorites. As much as I love home design I love posts like this that really get to who we all are as people. I can totally relate to this post in that my son was too diagnosed with ALL when he was 3. He was also treated at Primary Children’s Hospital. He is now a cancer surviving 9 year old. I know that Boston will kick cancer’s trash and be the better for it. Prayers and love to him and his family (and all those that know and love him). Of course I had to go and donate too. Keep us posted on his progress.
Thanks for giving us the chance to donate to such a sweet guy. Their whole family is in our prayers, but especially that adorable little man. Please send our love their way!
donated! this is so suffocating and i plan on hugging my two little kids a little more today. i wish little boston and his family only the best in this tough time. hugs.
Done. 🙂 prayers for Boston and his family.
Done. My heart goes to them.
Thank you….
That little guy reminds me of my youngest, who just turned three. I can’t imagine him sick in a hospital bed; it is heartbreaking. I’ll be praying for Boston and his family. It felt good to be able to donate; I’m so glad you shared his story and the link.
I will keep Boston, Amanda, and the family in my prayers. My little sister was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia at the age of 2, also. My mom had noticed Petechiae, on her stomach while changing her clothes, and went to the doctor immediately. My little sister got chemo, and got into remission. When she was 5, the leukemia had relapsed. My little sister had a cord blood transplant at Duke, and I am happy to say, today my sister is now 21 yrs old, away at college, and studying fashion. It was a long and hard road for Caroline and our family (I am 1 of 5-all girls). I hope that maybe if Amanda is reads this, it is a inspiration to her. Thank you for sharing. I Amanda is comforted that people are reading this and making donations and praying for Boston.
Done and done. My heart is broken reading this post. I have 3 little blonde boys, almost 5, 3 and 8 months old. I will be praying my heart out for Boston and his family. Boston’s mom is living my biggest fear. I can’t even handle it. PS I adore you is so awesome and you are awesome for posting this. You really are amazing to share this with us so we can try to do our part to help. I love that you said “Thoughts, prayers, and kind words are just as important (if not more!)” So very true. The money can lift the financial burden but the prayers will heal this little cutie! I really believe our Heavenly Father will pour his blessings upon their family and all those who help. Love your guts Mandi!!
Mandi — Much love to your friend and family. Our son, Michael, fought ALL (what Boston has) for almost 6 years. If one can say “I know what you’re going through, it’s our family.” That said, please let the family know we added Boston to my prayer list. Also, let the mum know that I would be happy to offer some advice or just a listening ear. It feels like you are the only mum going through this. You’re not. Also, there is a “listserve” on line for parents/guardians of kids with ALL (think it’s called allkids.listserve) but I cannot be one there anymore (right now) since our boy died August 29. It’s just too much. Two quick pieces of advice: 1)never stop asking questions and 2)never, ever give up! Kimberly
This just rocked my world. I worked with Amanda in high school and she is one of those people that if you loved her once you just can’t stop. I hurt that her family is going through something so terrible. She is on my mind and sweet little Boston is in my prayers. Xo
I get a lot of joy from reading this blog and I love your style and ideas. I even came across a white lamp like the blush skirted one you found and after seeing yours I knew I had to have it. Anyway, if I can repay you for the enjoyment I get from the blog by helping out a family friend of yours, I figure I should do i! I donated and will pray for little Boston. I have a three year old daughter and can’t even imagine what this family is going through. Stay strong!
It’s always sad to hear that a child is affected by cancer. I am an ALL survivor 2x over – I relapsed. Fast forward 20 yrs and now I’m an optometrist and a Make A Wish volunteer! I love meeting the kids and hope that I am an inspiration for them to have fun while beating cancer!
I’m a survivor, and my only wish was that it never happen to my son. I can not imagine the gut wrenching agony of knowing your child is ill. Will pray, donate and share. Blessings to this family and to that absolute Qt Boston!!!!
Praying for this sweet boy and his family!
I know how scary this diagnosis is. One of my nieces was diagnosed with ALL at 2 also. It was one of the hardest my family has had to go through but we received some awesome blessings during it all to. She is now a sweet and feisty 9 year old. I’ll remember your friend’s son and family in my prayers!
Done! Childhood illnesses are absolutely heart breaking. My friend’s 20 month old son passed in December of last year after he contracted a deadly bacteria while he was in the hospital getting treatment for a simple burn he got from spilling hot water onto his chest. It still chokes me up thinking of him and his mama. God bless, Boston. I hope everything turns out ok.
I just donated $25 to Boston. It was so easy to do and made me feel like I’m doing something to help the little guy! It’s easy to picture my son going through the same thing so I feel for Amanda. Stay strong Amanda and family! You’ll get through this!
It’s so refreshing to see a donation site that will allow smaller donations for those that want to contribute but are limited! Sending well wishes!
That brings tears to my eyes and I don’t even know them! Puts so much into perspective. I am sending lots of prayers for them and prayers of gratitude as well. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so so sorry for your friend and the road her family is walking right now. Cancer is an ugly beast – I will remember them in my prayers, and have donated to help in the small way I can. XOXO