Often times, especially this time of year, I pay close attention to the amount of time and energy I spend on Friends of Heroes. I spend many hours a week on my local and national duties and sometimes I get lost in the tasks and have to remind myself of the importance of our mission, which is the children and their families.
Have you ever wondered what these families think about you as a volunteer with Friends of Heroes? How they feel about the time you put into raising money and awareness? These families, that inspired you, who have been through YOUR worst nightmare, ever wonder what they would say to you, given the chance?
Me, too.
So I asked them. I spoke with both Desiree Nichols, whose daughter Sammy battled leukemia and who is in now in remission. I also spoke to Melissa Rasmussen, whose two year old son, Donovan passed away in January of this year. I don’t think any one of us will ever forget his beautiful big eyes.
What would Melissa say to you, if given the chance? “Besides Thank you, I hope that volunteers everywhere and especially for LLS know that by giving a little can CHANGE A LOT. Volunteers everywhere have an enormous impact on how parents like myself feel when we look to the sky to our sweet angels and know that there are PEOPLE THAT REALLY DO CARE!!! During every treatment and every procedure I felt so helpless and alone and people that made the most difference in my life were people I didn’t know personally but were volunteers at hospitals and at every event FOR LLS. To date I have been apart of 7 different events and I have never felt more at home or comfortable during every event and every training. I am going to be apart of LLS in some capacity for as long as I can and perhaps a volunteer!”
Desiree Nichols, who is an affiliate team with FOH says that “being part of Friends of Heroes, raising funds and awareness for LLS is a great satisfaction. You meet so many wonderful families, caring people, and make a HUGE difference as one team. You have an awesome team behind you encouraging you, supporting you, and helping you the whole way! I’d like to stress to each and every walker to please remember this can happen to your child, niece, nephew, grandchild, etc. Today is the day to make a difference. Today is almost gone, and tomorrow may never come!”
Desiree continues, “Friends of Heroes means a great deal to the Nichols family. They have pretty much been there from the beginning of our journey through childhood cancer. We have met a lot of very special women and other cancer families that helped us emotionally in our time of need. Through endless guestbook signings, chatting with me when things were tough or celebrating joyous moments, and even helping me fundraise for the society countless times. Friends of Heroes will always have a special place in my heart. As long as I am alive I will always help them raise funds for LLS in hopes one day no child will have to endure what my daughter went through!”
When I read Desiree’s thoughts on Friends of Heroes, I can’t help but feel a tremendous sense of pride in that she feels exactly what we have always strived for. Mission successful for the Nichols Family. Mission continues for countless other families in their time of need.
Don’t forget the power of Friends of Heroes. The power of you.
In closing, you must know, whether you raise $10 or $100 the gratitude these families feel toward you and our entire national team, Melissa sums it up for me “I think the most striking emotion that I get when I see people come out and volunteer their own time is enormous “GRATITUDE”, gratitude that someone somewhere has touched their lives and that they are willing to go out and be amongst those that are still surviving and yet also opening their hearts to those remembering their angels that have been taken by such a devastating CANCER.”
-written by National Co-Captain Beth F.
Friends of Heroes is a national Light the Night Friends and Family team. We are comprised of moms, dads, families and friends compelled to help find a cure for blood cancers.
