When Cutler was diagnosed on 9/11/09 with AML he was instantly granted a lifetime membership to the esteemed cancer family and we are really beginning to learn the privileges that come with this membership. Last night we were fortunate enough for Cutler to be selected to be the Honorary Stick Kid at the Dallas Stars game. This consisted of us going down to the depths of the arena for a mini tour, allow the boys to bust knuckles with the players as they walked by to the ice, stand by the ice and watch both teams during the pregame warm ups, and for Cutler to be presented a game used stick and have it autographed by one of the players (Brendan Dillon). It was an incredible experience and one that I am still on a bit of a high from. Mason told us that it was the best night EVER…especially after he was handed a puck from the ice as one of the players (Rouselle) as he was exiting the ice. This was all made possible by the wonderful people at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society recommending us when the wonderful people at the Dallas Stars reached out to them asking if they had someone in mind. Cutler’s early life struggles are turning into blessings for him and our entire family. Words can’t express how grateful we are for being able to have this incredible experience nor can they express how incredible everyone at the Stars and the LLS are to us as a family. Don’t worry everyone, I am still a Blues fan first, but the Stars are pushing their way into a close second with their hospitality and giving nature. Below are some of the pictures and a video of the stick presentation recorded from the video board. Mason was quick to point out to me that they mispronounced our last name which I told him it is best to just get used to it. 🙂
Monthly Archives: October 2013
Slow Mo Mason
On my new phone I am now able to film in slow motion, which makes filming the kids that much more fun. It’s even helping me coach them in their different sports (an unexpected benefit). Below is a quick video of Mason’s golf swing at his last tournament this past Sunday. He has advanced quite a bit over the past month and is ready to show Grandpa how it is done when he gets down here for a visit.
Don’t Take Our Word For It
Rather than just take our word for what the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society can do, I thought I would share another survivor’s story and her new perspective on life.
You can donate to this amazing organization here…
http://pages.lightthenight.org/ntx/Plano13/TeamCutler
Or for those local to us, feel free to stop by our lemonaid stand this Saturday.
https://teamfricke.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/turning-lemons-into-lemonaid-2013/
Crosses For A Cure
As part of our efforts to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, my crafty mother is once again making some lovely crosses. Last year it was all with barbed wire and beads, but she has now added some smaller versions made of just beads. I’m sure there is some other stuff in there, but that is the best description this uncrafty person can provide. Below are some pictures of what she has put together. The larger ones are $25 and the smaller ones are $15. They are in honor of Cutler as well as in memory of Grandma Boo, who recently passed away and had beaten Lymphoma once before. If you are interested in purchasing any or have any questions, please contact Carol (my lovely mother) at cjkjf@outlook.com. If she doesn’t reply, let me know and I will gently remind her to check her email. 🙂
Turning Lemons Into LemonAID 2013
It’s that time of year again for the LemonAID Stand. This is the fourth year in a row where we will be selling lemonade for AID to those battling blood cancers. 100% of the money that we raise as part of this multifamily effort will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as part of our annual Light The Night fund-raising effort. This was started four years ago when one of our friend’s daughter wanted to have a lemonade stand and considering the impact that LLS has had on our lives they were quick to say ok as long as the proceeds were donated to the LLS. It was thrown together very last second and we were able to raise $160. The next year we put a little more planning into it and were able to up that amount to $860. Last year, we were in the local paper and on TV raising $1500. Unfortunately this year we have not had the time to put forth the same effort, but we are building a new stand, so that will probably be worth a donation just to see if it stands for the full four hours.
As is now customary, we will have lemonade, cookies, snacks, some adult beverages, a bounce house, and snow cones. For the adults concerned about catching the local college game, I will even have the tv set up in the garage. Last year was a tremendous success so here’s to hoping for a continued growth of our annual stand. The lemonade and snacks are free for any donation. No donation is too small nor too large.
So mark October 19th on your calendar, the stand will open at 2pm and go until 6pm. We usually extend well beyond 6pm, but that’s the unofficial gathering. Those that have joined us in the past can attest to it being more than just a lemonade stand. It turns into a great time held by all with kids running all over playing sports, wearing themselves out in the bounce house and then heading back for more sugar to keep up the fight. The parents are usually doing something similar with return trips to the adult cooler instead of seeking sugar.
Our address is (Stalking only allowed for large donations):
429 Whisperfield Dr
Murphy, TX 75094
If you can’t make it but still want to help make a difference in the effort to squash blood cancers, you can make a tax deductible donation at our Light The Night team page.
http://pages.lightthenight.org/ntx/Plano13/TeamCutler
CutlerWolf
While searching for costumes for the boys for Halloween Cutler did his best Werewolf imitation. I won’t reveal their actual costumes until Halloween, but if you happen by the house I am quite confident you will discover it as they are wearing them nonstop.
Putting On The Foil
Cutler had his first “hockey” practice in full pads and with stick on Saturday. It was right after Mason’s practice so it was pretty cool seeing them getting ready in the same locker room. Now I just need to make them tough and mean enough to rival the Hanson brothers. This was also Cutler’s first attempt at skating with pads and after about 10 minutes I would deem it successful.
Below are a couple photos from the locker room and a video of Cutler passing his way across the ice.
Someday Is Today
I don’t yet have a memory of when cancer was cured, but I sure as hell remember when Cutler was diagnosed. Please help by donating.
http://pages.lightthenight.org/ntx/Plano13/TeamCutler
Yes, I plan on beating everyone over the head with this. September was cancer awareness month, I am just starting a few days late.
Why We Fight The Fight
I saw this video at the Links Fore Leukemia several months ago and never got around to sharing until now…unfortunately. These kinds of advancements are what give us hope that leukemia can be destroyed. With your help radical ideas like this can be developed in an ongoing effort to eradicate blood cancers.
To donate and help further the cause:
Team Fricke 