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What started out as a site to update on our daughter's cancer has thankfully grown into a site to update on our beautiful family of four. Enjoy our journey...

Saturday, June 07, 2008

CureSearch 2008

WHAT A DAY!!!

Today we participated in our first CureSearch MileStones walk, and it was worth the trip!! I will give you the play-by-play of our day!!

Chad, Charli, a I went down to Omaha on Friday night! We checked into our hotel and met friends from Omaha (the Harris') for pizza and a mini pool party! The water wasn't exactly warm so we snuck out a little early!!

This morning we got up and made our way to the Village Pointe mall to meet our family members there at 7:45!! Everyone was on time and it made the day start and continue to go smoothly! (thank you everyone!!). I registered our team and I am HAPPY to say we raised over $2,200 for this event - that is amazing, absolutely amazing!!! Several members of our team earned prizes for their money raised, t-shirts, draw string bags, and duffel bags. I also had the job of handing out the color-coded bandannas! Orange = currently in treatment, Yellow = survivor, Green = friend, Blue = angel. Seeing blue on people made me feel sick, thankful, guilty, and honored.

Part of the program included the naming of all survivors/currently in treatment kiddos so we got to take Charli up on stage to be honored. At that time she recieved a medal of honor. Before they did that, they honored all angels who were being walked for, and balloons were released for them. It was emotional, and I can say I have never hugged Charli tighter before in my life.

After the names were announced the kids got to lead the first lap, and we met up with friends and family who came to walk with us. I would like to thank everyone who made it today. We realize that we each have a sibling(and family!) who live out of state who would have loved to be there, and we are sorry we missed you, but completely understand why you were not able to be with us in person today!!!! For those of you who were able to make it, we can never thank you enough! I know you had to get up early to be there, but we never heard one complaint - and for that we thank you. An offical BIG thank you goes to: Bob and Jody Preister, Amanda Busselman, Sandra and Charlie Borg, Rachelle, Ryen, and Macey Haines, Aaron, Vicki, and Colton Wissenburg, Janice Zach, Colleen Zach, Kim and Kaitlyn Harris and Rachelle Samp!! Also thank you to those who made donations for our team, I don't want to list names because I know someone will be forgotten, and I don't want to hurt anyones feelings! Everyones work and generosity helped our team to raise over $2,000...and that is simply amazing!! This was our first, but not our last year helping this ever-important cause.

After the walk (which was two laps around the inside of the outdoor mall) they announced the top 10 teams! When #10 raised over $5,000 we knew it was going to be awesome!! The #1 team raised over...$34,000 - can you believe that?!!! They had a huge team which just shows the massive support system they have, and obviously how great of advocates of childhood cancer they truly are. My hats off to Sadie's bugs!!!!!!!! WAY TO GO, and THANK YOU for all your work!! Each family received a fun goodie bag with fun things from the sponsors. The total amount raised for today, I believe, topped $218,000...which is more than DOUBLE from last year! People keep exceeding expectations and a CURE is within reach for these special kids...yet we are still so far away.

We were able to see some faces/families/kids that made the day even more important!

After the walk we went to Scheels and just kind of hung out as a large extended family - it was a nice time! Grandpa Bob bought Charli a cute pair of shoes that she is so proud of!! We had lunch together and then parted ways! We then did a little shopping for Charli and went off to see the BIG billboard! It was an amazing experience to see it in person, I felt terrible for leaving - like I was leaving my baby there!! I was so proud to see her fighting little face up there. I am so proud of Charli, more than I will EVER be able to put into words!

We came home and went to a tractor show, and enjoyed the weather! Charli and her dad BOTH got to enjoy their FIRST snow cone, and both loved them! We truly had a blessed day and enjoyed our family, which we always do - but today was extra special.

Thank you to those who made today what it was, it will NEVER be forgotten.
PS. I am beyond pleased to announce that as of tonight, in the past 6 months or so nearly $12,000 has been raised in Charli's name to fight Childhood Cancer! We are honored and humbled to be a part of all of this, and thank YOU for making the difference in the lives of so many kids who have yet to fight the biggest battle of their life. Because of people like you, Charli's fight was a success. I hope you know how important your donations truly are - it IS life or death for these kids, and you are helping to give everyone a success story - just like Charli!

EXPECTING MIRACLES

a picture of part of the gang!

the view from 72nd & L...my baby is the top right picture!!


her first medal, that she will forever treasure with PRIDE!


medal of honor


the crowd was clapping as the kids lead the walk...Charli was clapping too, the entire time! It was precious!!!

more of the gang! Thanks for your support!


Charli got to play in the big firetruck!


she was pushing all sorts of buttons!!!


REACHING FOR A CURE!

Charli sporting her yellow!

THE BEST TEAM EVER!!!!!

before the event started!


Charli saw about 100 "puppies" today!


Charli having her name announced

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

GLAD TO HEAR THE "WALK" WENT SO WELL...THAT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH MONEY WAS RAISED:)CHARLI LOOKS LIKE SHE HAD FUN...LOVE THE PIC OF HER CLAPPING!!! WISH WE COULD OF ATTENDED,BUT AS ALWAYS CHARLI IS IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, NO MATTER HOW MANY MILES ARE BETWEEN US!! LOVE YA ALL -THE WIDHALM'S

Anonymous said...

What an incredible day! Charli, you are our HERO! (Your Mommy & Daddy are pretty special, too!)
Love, Grmpa & Grma P XXOOPP

Anonymous said...

Looks like an amazing day..
Sending prayers to the Preisters!!!

Deqlan said...

congratulations to Charli and to you all! Wow what a fantastic effort, well done! And what a proud moment to see Charli get her medal! She is looking FANTASTIC so healthy and full of beans! Go Charli! God Bless and hugs
Samm & Deqlan
www.deqlanhiggins.blogspot.com

The Wiechman's said...

Wow! It looks like your walk was wonderful! Congrats Charli!

Anonymous said...

SO HAPPY to hear this walk went so well! What great pictures you got of the event too! Charli looks like she had fun sitting in the firetruck and also looked proud of her new shiny medal!!
HUGS!
Courtney