A Beautiful Future of Life Lived; Not A Life Lost
Welcome to Day 7 of the Blogging for Blood Cancer event! Today’s prize is a Fused glass pendant from Lucky Girl Trading Company & Tess shopping bag (value=$20.00) courtesy of Mimsi Bags. Yesterday’s winner was Commenter #10 Tracey Byram who knew Donnall Thomas, M.D. was the first scientist to successfully perform a bone marrow transplant between two humans.
By Sean Haines
Where do I begin?…This past July marked exactly three and a half years since I lost my 8 year old son, Matthew, to cancer…He will forever be 8 years old in my mind, but his younger brother, Chris, likes to think of his older brother forever being his ‘older’ brother and celebrates Matthew’s birthday each year by putting one additional candle on Matt’s birthday cake…I guess it’s easier for him to handle the loss this way….He needs to feel he will have his older brother, the one who taught him so much while here on Earth, waiting to help guide and protect him once more when he rejoins him in Heaven.
The twins, who we found out we were having seven months after Matthew’s passing (just as Matthew told us we would), have truly helped to bring joy and happiness back into our lives once more…With the devastating loss of our eldest son, we lived our lives ‘on hold’ until this rambunctious, laughing and full of mischief duo blessed us with their zest for life…their passion for living…their wonderment at it all…They enabled us the ability to smile again…to be able to see the goodness in God’s creation once more…to be able to be blessedly patient until being reunited with our little man…They helped show us we need to do what we can to make a difference in this world…for them….for their older brother; Chris…and for all the precious children currently suffering from this horrible disease.
This is why I established the Matthew David Haines Foundation and why I work hand in hand with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Together, we make a huge, positive impact in the betterment of these children’s lives…in their lives as well as their entire families’. The dedication shown by the LLS staff and the research, education and patient services they provide has helped countless needy families such as my own and have brought a cure to blood cancers much closer to a reality than merely a desperate dream prayed for by every suffering patient and their devoted families.
The support I have received by the LLS and the staff members, who are more like extended family members, have helped me to see there is hope for the future…And with everyone’s continued dedication to the same goal of eradicating blood cancers…that beautiful future of a life lived and not a life lost becomes closer and brighter each and every day…God Bless everyone who is helping to ‘fight the good fight’….I appreciate and love you all…
Take care and God Bless,
Sean Haines
www.matthewhaines.info
For a chance to win just leave a comment, to Sean by MIDNIGHT PST Monday, August 18, 2008.
You’ll also be entered for our grand prize to be drawn Monday for a $900 Timberland and Lacoste product assortment, courtesy of Samsonite. (Comments are moderated.) Make sure to stop back for more information and even more chances to win!
![[Bloglines]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/bloglines.png)
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Google]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[kirtsy]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/kirtsy.png)
![[MySpace]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/myspace.png)
![[Squidoo]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/squidoo.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Technorati]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Windows Live]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/windowslive.png)
![[Yahoo!]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.png)
![[Email]](http://www.friendsofheroes.org/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
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.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:24 am
thanks for the great site
August 17th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I am so sorry for your loss of your little boy. I am glad that you were blessed with twin angels to encourage you to continue on. All the work you do is greatly appreciated. Good luck with your journey through life and I wish you continued success.
August 17th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
what a touching story! thanks so much for sharing!
August 17th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
well I read your post this morning and it took my breath away- and I passed the link for a bunch of friends to read and read it again- still takes my breath away. I AGREE THERE IS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE…God Bless
August 17th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
May God Bless You all. I am so sorry for the loss of your son. Helping others must give you such a sense of accomplishment. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing. Thank You from the bottom of my heart. There’s always hope for a better tomorrow. You just have to believe in it.
August 17th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your story. My husband’s sister battled leukemia when we were in our junior year of high school. It was a very difficult thing to face in the teen years. I learned so much about life, love and strength during those 3 years. You are an amazing person to be strong enough to share you story and work hard to bring awareness to others. Thank you.
August 17th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Such a great site. I really enjoyed reading your story.
August 17th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
God bless your family for giving others hope. I’m so sorry that Matthew had such a short time with such a loving family.
August 17th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
This is a very touching story. ~hugs~ Always remember that God is always by your side. God bless!
August 17th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
We have endured the loss of our daughter. Your story is touching. God Bless.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Matthew is beautiful - thanks for sharing him with us!!
Thank you for taking your pain and turning it into good. You are giving a lot of people hope through your words/work.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I am so very touched by your story. My many blessings and thoughts are with and your family.
Forgive me if I cannot make this post very long. I can not express the depth in which I feel for everything that you do. I just want you to know that my thoughts will always be with you and your family.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Thanks so much for sharing your story. God Bless!
August 17th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
This is really sad! I am so sorry : ( . Thank you for sharing.
August 17th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
What a positive outlook in the face of tradgy!
August 17th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
What a beautiful boy and what a terrible loss. I’m sure he’s making a wonderful angel. You’ll see him again someday. Thank you for sharing your very difficult story. You have truly touched me with your courage.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:29 am
What a beautiful boy.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:39 am
I am so sorry for your loss, but I am glad you are using his memory as a chance to do something good! Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:46 am
This story touched my heart
August 18th, 2008 at 1:04 am
My prayers are with you. I do not have the strength that you possess. Words fail me. Thank you so much for the things you do so that other parents might not feel your pain and a cure can be found. Thank you.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:06 am
terrible
August 18th, 2008 at 3:29 am
So glad you have the faith you do to sustain you. God bless!
August 18th, 2008 at 4:19 am
I am deeply touched by your strength. You will see him again and he is there to watch over Chris and the twins.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Bless your heart. The loss of a child is so devestating.I feel for your loss. But God never shuts a door without opening a window. And He left your window wide open.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Blessings to all
August 18th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Thank you for sharing your story.
August 18th, 2008 at 7:01 am
I am truly saddened by your loss of your son so young, but very glad that your other children have helped you so much. Thank you for the good work you are doing and God bless you all.
August 18th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Matthew’s smile is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. His loss is terrible but I suspect that what he brought to your lives greatly outweighs it.
August 18th, 2008 at 7:21 am
I am so sorry for your loss
August 18th, 2008 at 7:24 am
I have a sister who I fear is on the verge of losing her fight with ALL. I feel your pain. Thanks for sharing your story.
August 18th, 2008 at 7:29 am
This story really encourages me to do more to find a cure. I want to pledge to sign up for the different cancer walks. I have done Relay for Life before, but I would love to do more of the walks to help raise research money. I am not a rich person, but I can walk and help raise the money other ways. Thank you for your story. I hope that it encourages others to step up to this small challenge compared to what victims of cancer go through on a daily basis. Thank you so much and keep the faith.
August 18th, 2008 at 7:40 am
i am so sorry for the loss of your precious child.this is a great cause in his honor.
August 18th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Good luck with your foundation. It’s wonderful what you’re doing and a tribute to your son
*Thanks* for the giveaway!
August 18th, 2008 at 8:15 am
I am so sorry for your loss. I am sure raising awareness about this disease will help many.
August 18th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Very touching.
August 18th, 2008 at 8:31 am
It is always uplifting to see people doing so much for others. God Bless you all.
August 18th, 2008 at 8:32 am
God bless you and keep you. I’m very sorry for your loss.
August 18th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Loved your story.
herry123_us@live.com
August 18th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Your story touched my heart. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your work is a beautiful memorial to your son.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Very very touching story and I’m so sorry for your loss. Blessings to you!
August 18th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Very touching.
August 18th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
your story is truly touching
August 18th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Your post made me cry, what a brave and inspirational person you are. Thank you for sharing that with us, so his legacy lives on. God bless you.
August 18th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I’m so sorry for the loss of your son. Bless you for taking a tragedy and turning into something positive that will help others.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
I’m sorry for your loss. I hope I never have to experience anything like it, but if I do, I hope I can be as positive as you.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Sounds like you are definately turning a negative experience into a positive one by all the help you are bringing to others. May God Bless you & your family.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I am so very sorry for the loss of your son. You are awesome to continue to work to get the word out about certain forms of cancer and your foundation. When (not IF) I come into extra money I will be sure to donate to your cause! May God Bless you and keep you full of his love and blessings!
August 18th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Great story!
August 18th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
God Bless You for the fight.Loss is devasting,and faith
helps heal and God has blessed you with the twins.A
girl I worked with started having alot of bruises on her.
She went to the doctor to find out she had lukemia.She only
lasted a few months after having aggressive treatment.She
was only 19 and the sweeetest person I have known.My
mother died from breast cancer.This is a beast that needs
to be taken out of our lives and I congratulate you on
your journey.Your little man is looking down on you with
a smile
August 18th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
very touching
August 18th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Thank you for all the work you do. Bless you!
August 18th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
I’m sorry for your loss
August 18th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I am sorry for the loss of your son.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
I really enjoyed reading your story.im so very sorry 4 your loss! cancer sucks!:(
August 18th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Sean, thank you for sharing Matthew with us and for your continued support!!!!
August 19th, 2008 at 12:46 am
thank you for sharing your inspirational story. it really touched me!