Mark 5:40 – They laughed at him, but he threw them all out. Then, taking the child’s parents and his disciples with him, he went to the room where the child was.

Gratitude Day 773

It’s the C-word – Cancer.

A word no one wants to hear. Dreads when it becomes a part of your life. It hangs over you like a blanket that won’t go away.

Some of you may have personal experience with cancer. You or a loved one has experienced it.

Now, imagine being a child and receiving the C-word diagnosis. How does one make sense of this?

Cancer is nearly impossible for adults to understand. How does a young child, who is just trying to live his or her best life?

So. Very. Very. Difficult.

Yes, there are lots of different kinds of cancer. I cannot imagine the feelings a child and his or her parent’s experience when cancer is diagnosed. How do you encourage a child to keep going? Try to have a normal life? Experience the things that other kids get to experience.

I cannot even begin to imagine.

Designing Dreams is a non-profit organization that is committed to helping kids who have cancer and cancer-like conditions. Their goal is to provide an uplifting space for the child which will allow for hope and healing. Designing Dreams is our September Our Monthly Resolution non-profit organization.

Based in Beaver Dam, WI, Designing Dreams was stared by Lauren. As a sophomore in college, Lauren wanted to create an organization that would make a direct and positive impact on children battling cancer. Her mother, Mardel, was an interior designer. She suggested to Lauren that the organization could redo the cancer patient’s bedrooms into safe zones for the kids. Lauren liked the idea, and they ran with it!

Designing Dream’s work includes redecorating the child’s room following a theme that meets the desires of the child and family. They come in with murals, new furniture and other things that create a space that allows the child to combat the social and emotional effects of dealing with cancer. Designing Dreams believes their spaces decrease stress, depression and anxiety while allowing the child to feel loved that they people, places and things they enjoy.

So far, Designing Dreams has remade 24 rooms for children with cancer or cancer-like conditions. Throughout the month of September, please look for some of these stories by following the Our Monthly Resolution Facebook page. They are amazing!

Designing dreams is such a unique and different non-profit organization. This is why we chose them as the September organization. Would you help us encourage their work by making a donation towards them. Here’s how:

Donate online: https://www.classy.org/give/276270/#!/donation/checkout

Mail a donation: Designing Dreams, N8031 Oak Ridge Dr., Beaver Dam, WI  53916

If your employer can make a matching donation, Designing Dream’s EIN number is 1792122.

Please indicate that your donation is part of Our Monthly Resolution. Let’s help Designing Dreams continue their great work in helping kids with cancer and cancer-like conditions. Let’s help create spaces where kids can feel loved and safe.

For the opportunity to help kids with cancer, I am very grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

Lord God – We lift up all the many families that are struggling with a child that has cancer. May our donations to Designing Dreams allows some kids and families to have a safe space where they can feel loved. Amen.

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