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Alexandria Nicole Haddock
Alexandria Nicole Haddock earned her beautiful pink-tipped angel wings at 10:20 p.m., Sunday, February 16th, 2003. She left this earth feeling no pain and flew into the arms of our Lord and Savior. At the moment she took her last breath, she was holding the three things she wanted to be holding when she left this earth,
her mommy's hand, her daddy's hand, and moonbeam..."the magical unicorn that could work miracles."
Alexandria Nicole Haddock
August 6th, 1993 - February 16th, 2003
***
Alexandria was a very happy and healthy child until the age of seven. After suffering from headaches, nausea, vomiting and bruising for several weeks her pediatrician finally ordered blood work on November 7th, 2000. It was election day and while everyone in the country waited on baited breath to see who would be our next president, a lab technician was counting 1 million white blood cells in my daughter's CBC. An average WBC count is 5-15,000. We rushed her to St. Louis Children's Hospital. Our pediatrician said the word "leukemia" and at the time, in my state of complete shock, I did not even realize how bad things really were. She had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with 11q23 subtype. She was admitted to the PICU where they hooked her up to a pheresis machine. This basically took her blood out slowly, spun off the white blood cells, and was put back in to her. She was in grave condition and they were not sure if she would make it through the night. She did. She got into remission within 30 days and continued with extremely intense chemotherapy for 20 months. The chemo made her immune system non-existant for almost that entire time. She fought several infections in that time period and we were not sure if she would make it or not. She did. On April 11th, 2002, we were moving into a new home. We received a call from her hemonc doctor telling us that a spinal fluid test that had been submitted to St. Jude's per our request, had come back higher than a previous one. Grant and I wrestled with the decision to keep her treatments at Children's Hospital. We were told that we would probably be able to get her back into remission quickly if this was the case and then we could proceed to Bone Marrow Transplant. Uneasy about this major decision, we once again, just like when she was initially diagnosed, contacted prestigous doctors from around the country. Several felt that we should get her to transplant quickly while she was still strong. We should have followed their advice. We had a strong suspicion that relapse was imminent. We were right. Sadly and unfortunately, Alexandria did relapse on July 11th, 2002. It was difficult to get her back into remission. She again suffered from horrible infections that bought her a ticket to the hospital and almost cost her her life. She made it through. She proceeded into transplant with her brother, Hunter, as her donor on October 1st 2002. Her brother Hayden and sister Addison were matches too, which was amazing. She sailed through the chemo, the radiation and extended isolation hospital stay. We felt like we had won. We felt this was our second chance at a healthy life for our precious daughter who had fought so incredibly hard for so long. This was not to be, not God's plan or purpose for her life. Her mission on this earth was completed on February 16th, 2003. She passed so peacefully. It is almost two years ago that she left our arms to go to Jesus'. Not a single day goes by that I don't think about her, long to hear her voice, hold her hand or see that beautiful face. There is a hole in my heart that can never be filled. However, from this trial I have learned a great deal, mostly from my daughter who was always positive and cheery even when she felt horrible. I gained greater knowledge of my Lord and Savior and my faith has grown in spite of this loss.
Alexandria I miss you. I love you, doodlebug. I will never forget you sweet sissy girl. I will try my hardest to make you proud of me, to keep the Alexandria's Angels Foundation going, and to help others as we have been helped.
If you feel compelled to join us in our mission of helping other families affected by childhood cancer, you can donate to the Alexandria's Angels Foundation which is a Missouri 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit. It is our goal to offer smiles and hope to cancer kids and their families. We do this by helping financially with non-covered medical expenses and by giving gifts to our sponsored cancer kids.
Our address is:
Alexandria's Angels
c/o Alison Haddock
241 Chestnut Hill Drive
O' Fallon, MO 63368
or e-mail us at
alisonhaddock@charter.net
www.caringbridge.com/page/alexandriasangels
Monday, July 21, 2008 8:08 AM CDT
Please Read the importnant update below as we are trying very hard to get this through the proper channels so that more money is available to the researchers, and cures will be found. We will see fewer children dying of this dreadful disease of cancer....what a wonderful thing for us all to witness.
Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act Passes UNANIMOUSLY in the United States House of Representatives!!!!!!!!!!
(click for full story!!!!)
CureSearch Praises Passage of Landmark "Conquer Childhood Cancer Act" by Unanimous Consent in the United States Senate
Please pray for these warriors whose family and friends make up TEAM UNITE.
Those in battle to achieve remission and our precious warriors who are now our angels of inspiration!
Please take a moment to send your prayers for strength to these special people who have joined forces to make a difference for the children of our country.
Thank you so much for doing what you do!
God bless TEAM UNITE!
Team Henry
Team AJ Team Aleigha Team Alexa Team Alexandria Team Alyssa Team Austin
Team Ben Team Caitlin Team Carly Team Caroline Team Chloe Team Cole
Team Conner Team Dae Hon Team Dakota Team Drew Team Gina Team Grant
Team Hannah Team Jasmine Team Jessica E Team Jessica R Team Kayla Team Kelly
Team Kennedy Team Kieran Team Lisa Team Matthew Team Meghan Team Nathan Team Nina
Team Noah Team Rachel Team Ryan Team Sierra Team Sydney Team Wyatt
Get Involved…It is an EASY and FREE way to help the children!
God bless Team Unite for joining forces to move forward to a cure!
Who is TEAM UNITE?
Team Unite arose from the Henry Tucker CaringBridge site and is comprised of volunteers from families around the country who have been impacted by the devastating diagnosis of having a child with cancer. Team Unite also consists of friends of these families as well as a conglomeration of concerned citizens. The result is a genuine grassroots effort with the purpose of raising awareness and securing funding so that a cure for childhood cancer can be found as quickly as possible!
If YOUR TEAM is interested in joining OUR TEAM, please email Dianne Killian: dkillian@helmsbriscoe.com.
What is the Mission of TEAM UNITE?
Team Unite strategically contacts members of congress on a daily basis requesting that they cosponsor and vote yes in support of “The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act (S.911 and H.R.1553).” Our goal is to witness S.911/H.R.1553 signed into Law during the term of the 110th Congress.
How YOU Can Help
Join us for our ongoing strategies. Each individual chooses the amount of time they are able to dedicate to our effort and then we call, write, and/or email as many of the listed members of congress as we can. These are congressional leaders who are not currently cosponsors of S911. Please note: no minimum or maximum exists.
Every call, email or letter that you choose to make, send, or write will be helpful regardless of when you make the call. So, do what you can, when you can, and please forward this message along to others who you feel could help our cause.
Together we can get the support needed to move S.911 quickly through this process and into Law, GO TEAM UNITE! We needed this to happen a long time ago, so thank you for all you’re doing!
CURRENT STRATEGY—#28
What an accomplishment for the children this week. Team Unite is still reeling from the news! Congratulations on your part in this historic legislation and win for the kids! Each of you has been involved in so many ways including, Team Unite! Together, our unified voices have been heard and another unanimous consent victory in the Senate is the reward! To those who have children/loved ones that have battled this beast and to those who will not be spared the pain and hardships associated with the devastating diagnosis of childhood cancer, it is in your honor that we will fight on!
I am awaiting some facts that will help us determine the next steps but for now it is time to focus on the press, with this news and the need for the major networks to do something HUGE this year for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. As many of you are aware, the major networks are teaming up and doing a, “Stand up to Cancer” event September 5th . Let’s make sure that ABC, CBS and NBC are aware that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Let your voices and incredible stories of bravery be heard! We need a cure PRONTO so let’s ride the wave of this exciting news regarding S911 and get the press the children deserve. MORE AWARENESS = MORE RESEARCH $$$$$. Thank you to CURESEARCH for all you do to secure funding and move us toward a cure!
Please write to your local/national newspapers and TV New stations/programs asking them to do something to recognize September as Childhood Cancer Awareness month. And in addition discuss the “Stand up to Cancer” event in your letters to ABC, CBS and NBC.
Thank you for what you are doing to support the kids!
Links for a few media outlets you may contact. Please send to any you feel would benefit our cause! We need to spread the news to get the recognition that children’s cancer deserves in September!
Contact your local ABC Affiliate station | Contact your local Fox Affiliate station
Contact your local NBC Affiliate station | Contact your local CBS Affilitate station
Ellen | Oprah | CNN
Sample Letter to Press
My name is _____________________ and the reason I am contacting you is to ask that you please make your audience aware that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. The fact that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and that Gold Ribbons are the symbol of this goes largely unrecognized. Please help make sure that everyone is aware of this from now on. Just visit the cancer unit of your local Children's Hospital and I guarantee you will meet children who will inspire you and change your life. These brave young warriors deserve our support and more importantly, they’ve earned it!
(Insert your personal story here of how you’ve been affected!)
What topic could be more important than saving the lives of our children? Please report and raise awareness and ask that people do something special for the kids. Every year cancer kills more young people between 1 and 20 years of age than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and AIDS, combined yet in the past 20 years only one new cancer drug has been approved for pediatric use. In addition, only 3 percent of the budget of the National Cancer Institute goes toward childhood cancer research.
My request is that you help get the word out that the gold ribbon is the symbol for Childhood Cancer Awareness and request that each individual consider wearing a gold ribbon in support of the children out there fighting for their lives. You have the power to communicate this to the public and we are asking for your support and help. Thank you!
Sincerely,
_______________________________________
Here is the CureSearch Press Release that you can forward and post!
My name is _____________________ and the reason I am contacting you is to ask that you please make your audience aware of the following press release from CureSearch regarding the unanimous consent for S911 in the Senate!
CureSearch Praises Passage of Landmark
"Conquer Childhood Cancer Act"
by Unanimous Consent in the United States Senate
Children with Cancer and Their Families to Benefit from Legislation
July 17, 2008 (Bethesda, MD) - CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation salutes the United States Senate for its passage of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, which promises to significantly increase federal investment into childhood cancer research.
The bill, first introduced in the Senate by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Norm Coleman (R-MN), passed by unanimous consent, echoing a similar 416-0 vote June 12th in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) requested, and received, this unanimous consent on the Senate floor.
The bill authorizes $30 million annually over five years, providing funding for collaborative pediatric cancer clinical trials research, to create a population-based national childhood cancer database, and to further improve public awareness and communication regarding available treatment and research for children with cancer and their families.
"Too many young people's lives were cut short by cancer, but their hopes were not," said Reed. "We have made great advances in treating cancer, but there is still much more to be done. The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act will deliver much needed hope and support to children and families battling cancer and more resources for vital pediatric cancer research programs."
Senator Coleman, an original sponsor, noted that the legislation passed unanimously in both Houses of Congress, and lauded the overwhelming bi-partisan support of the measure, which addresses a critical national health issue that is finally receiving the attention it deserves.
"Passage of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act in the Senate is a monumental step in the fight against childhood cancer," said Coleman. "I am proud that my colleagues were able to come together and pass legislation that will provide the resources to not only support children and families with childhood cancer, but also find a cure."
CureSearch supports the life-saving research of the Children's Oncology Group, the world's premier cancer research collaborative. Treating 90 percent of children with cancer, the Children's Oncology Group includes more than 5,000 experts in childhood cancer research and treatment, located at more than 200 leading children's and university hospitals across North America.
"The Conquer Childhood Cancer Act allows for translation of the very best research discoveries into clinical evaluation and practice, in order to improve the cure rates for all children with cancer," stated Gregory Reaman, MD, Chair of the Children's Oncology Group.
"On behalf of my colleagues in the Children's Oncology Group and the children with cancer and their families who are our partners in clinical research, we thank our leaders in the Senate. Only research cures childhood cancer."
"We applaud the leadership of Senators Reed and Coleman and their colleagues in the Senate who through the passage of this bill have made finding the cure for childhood cancer an urgent national priority. Together with their colleagues in the House, Congress has given childhood cancer the attention and support that is long overdue and much needed," said Stacy Pagos Haller, Executive Director of CureSearch.
Having passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously, the bill now heads to the White House, where President Bush is expected to sign it into law.
As noted in Strategy 26, the appropriations were being marked up this week so Team Unite will update ASAP to see what else we can do in the short term or if this has already occurred. Here is the Defense committee contacts and information:
Defense appropriation subcommittee, the Energy and Water appropriation subcommittee, and the Labor Health and Human Services appropriation subcommittee.
The largest request and the appropriation bill most likely to pass before the end of this year is the Defense appropriation bill. This bill is being marked up next week! Let’s all pull together and write, email, call, etc. these individuals requesting significant funding in the FY 2009 Defense Appropriations bill for clinical trials for pediatric cancer research.
Chairman Murtha 2423 Rayburn HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 P:(202) 225-2065 F:(202) 225-5709
Email Chairman Murtha
Ranking Member Bill Young 2407 Rayburn HOB Washington D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5961
Email Ranking Member Bill Young
Chairman Sen. Inouye (HI) 722 Hart Building Washington D.C. 202-224-3934
Email Chairman Inouye
Ranking Member Sen. Stevens (AK) 522 Hart Building Washington, D.C. (202) 224-3004
Email Ranking Member Stevens
DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS
20 million – Army RDTE- To support pediatric cancer research and clinical trials (the other 10 million will be from other appropriations we may target in a future strategy)
The funding will be used to enhance important ongoing clinical trials, support the creation of significant, new clinical trials and prevent the discontinuation of critical childhood cancer trials, benefiting children of military families, civilian DOD employees, and other children afflicted with childhood cancer.
And, to support existing DOD translational research in high risk childhood cancer targeting new agents against highly resistant, poor prognosis diseases.
God Bless Team Unite!!!!
More updates will be on the way very soon with respect to appropriations. We are attaching the document that states where the money comes from and will update with next steps very soon. :)
H.R.1553
Title: To amend the Public Health Service Act to advance medical research and treatments into pediatric cancers, ensure patients and families have access to information regarding pediatric cancers and current treatments for such cancers, establish a national childhood cancer registry, and promote public awareness of pediatric cancer.
Sponsor: Rep Pryce, Deborah [OH-15] (introduced 3/15/2007) Cosponsors (229)
Related Bills: S.911
Latest Major Action: 7/16/2008 Passed/agreed to in Senate. Status: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
House Reports: 110-706
Email dkillian@helmsbriscoe.com to join Team Unite and help us in the fight against childhood cancer
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