Read personal stories from our founder and Jennifer's mommy, Libby, along with other Warrior Moms and news from our Unravel team.

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…but not really

June 5, 2014

Looking through the pictures for that last post really got to me.. About what pediatric cancer really looks like.. Its not just bald kids.. or swollen faces. Or feeding tubes and barf bags.. Often times there is something even worse that all of that..

being left behind.

DSC_0044

with my 4 kids….but not really

Sisters...together. but not really.
Sisters…together. but not really.

The only yearbook she will ever have.
The only yearbook she will ever have.

 

My 2 yr old with his big sister in the back yard..but not really

My 2 yr old with his big sister in the back yard..but not really

 

what this mother looked like after her daughters kindergarten promotion. ..

what this mother looked like after her daughters kindergarten promotion. ..

 

 

 

Her siblings saying congratulations, we love you. .. but not really

Her siblings saying congratulations, we love you. .. but not really

 

my 6yr old certificate of completing kindergarten..but not really.

my 6yr olds certificate of completing kindergarten..but not really.

 

 

And then I get really angry. This is not the way its supposed to be. It is not the way it has to be.

60 kids were on that stage this morning. In just over a week. 8.5 days. That many children will die from cancer in this country.

 

7 a day.

It is not rare. I am not alone. Far from it.

Cancer is the number one disease killer of children. (national cancer institute)

It is the number two killer of our kids. Number one is accidents.. which is such a broad term so many things fall under it.

Our government spends 4% of the money allocated for cancer research on pediatric cancer. Even a 1% increase translates to an additional $50,000,000! (truth365)

Its time to get angry. Its time to do something. First step. Spread the glitter. Share the facts. The more people that know the louder we are.

Second step be aware of where we donate our money.. if you want it to go towards adult cancer research find the best place, American Cancer Society is one that has done so much for adult cancers.

If you want it to go for childhood cancer .. there are so many options. Good people doing good things…MckennaClaire specifically to fight pediatric brain tumors. TeamG which supplies hope totes to newly diagnosed families..Project Violet  allows you to adopt a drug candidate, The Young and the Brave allows you to directly help warriors and Awoccf which funds trials and looks for less toxic treatments.

And my personal endeavor. Funding the drs that have my daughters tumor . A donation we made just an hour after she died in my arms. Here is a news segment about our family and that choice we made. Our goal is 100,000 in their hands by the one year anniversary of her death. That amount will pay for another researcher in the lab..one more pair of hands working towards finding the cure.

Go here Jennifer Lynn Kranz Fund at Stanford if you are so inclined.

..back to first step..

Glitter is like knowledge.. it sticks with you.. Spread the glitter!

Gilroy Family Photographer | JLK Glitter Shoot-2webBLOG

 

 

 

 

  1. Lisa Jack says:

    Spreading the glitter!

  2. Lyndee says:

    Spreading the Glitter. Lots of Love and hugs to all 6. XO

  3. Emily says:

    Always spreading the glitter. I saw on a Day for Gold for Childhood Cancer that last year 41 governors acknowledged September as Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. He encouraged us to write to our governors to try to get all 50 states this year. Make it become like Breast Cancer in October. Such great strides have been made due to that. I am writing. I hope everyone who reads this will, too!

  4. Lois Robles Tefft says:

    Still wearing my pink bracelet and just received my T-shirt. I tell anyone who will listen, about Jennifer.

  5. Denise Pandya says:

    Love and hugs Libby <3

  6. Johnni Herrera says:

    ♡♡♡♡ love.

  7. Shay says:

    Always spreading the glitter! Forever!

  8. Esther McKee says:

    Always spreading the glitter. It’s my mission to do so any moment I can. Hugs Hugs and more hugs to you Libby

  9. Greta says:

    Spreading JLK’s Glitter, everywhere!

  10. Erika M says:

    Always on my mind and in my heart.

  11. Katarina says:

    Well said about pediatric cancer! I will continue spreading the word. I’m sorry today was another hard day;(

  12. Kari says:

    Spreading JLK’s glitter!

  13. Amy Ramos says:

    I am spreading the glitter.

  14. Penny says:

    Hi Libby
    I have been following your blog since day one and you are such an inspiration to families who are going or will go through this experience. I am doing the relay for life in Gilroy on June 21-22 and our team has chosen childhood cancer as their mission. We want to have as much information at our booth as we can. My daughters were at the Mama’s Night out in Santa Cruz last month and heard your message, they were so impressed with you. One daughter is even got a website and is raising money for your organization. My question is, do you have some information that we can hand out or put on our poster that we are making to bring awareness to Children’s Cancer. Anything you can give us would be appreciated. I am assuming you can contact me through this site right?
    Thank you!

    • Love4JLK says:

      Penny thank you so much for caring and putting in so much effort. Relay for Life is part of American Cancer Society so its a wonderful thing to do for adult cancer. . We will be having some upcoming fundraisers that the funds go directly to fight childhood cancer would love to have you participate in those with us.

      • Penny says:

        Thank you for replying to me. Would it be possible to get some information about your upcoming fundraisers?

  15. Andrea says:

    Keep spreading it Libby! You are stronger than you think!

  16. tara says:

    Spreading the glitter

  17. Laura says:

    I have read your blog through friends posts on social media.

    There are no words.

    I donated to the Team G Foundation, a Hope Tote because of your daughter’s glitter.

    I had to. I will continue to do so.

  18. Lindsey Beasley says:

    One of the most powerful, punch to the gut, honest, profound and incredibly devastating blogs to date. So much love to you! Yoj are so brave, so admirable and courageous. Thank you for sharing. You are not alone, and never will be.

  19. Kristen Tredrea says:

    Telling anyone who will listen. Will continue to donate to you and to groups here in Australia whenever I can. All my love xx

  20. Elle says:

    Do you know if Alex’s Lemonade Stand is a good foundation to support?

  21. Silvia says:

    You are so brave.

    Thank you for showing such different parts of how cancer can affect a family. Sending love always.

    Silvia

  22. Linda Blundo says:

    Hi Libby! I am going to spread and spread and keep spreading the Glitter! I participated in the JLK Run/Walk a few weeks ago and I have donated to your fund for Jennifer and I will keep doing what I can do help spread the word. Knowledge is power. And I know if we just keep educationing people on this horrible childhood disease then together we can make a difference. Together we can UNRAVEL. We love you all. We love Jennifer so much. Forever 6. She will never be forgotten. ALWAYS Remembered. LOVE4JLK♡

  23. Linda Blundo says:

    Hi Libby! I am going to spread and spread and keep spreading the Glitter! I participated in the JLK Run/Walk a few weeks ago and I have donated to your fund for Jennifer and I will keep doing what I can do help spread the word. Knowledge is power. And I know if we just keep educationing people on this horrible childhood disease then together we can make a difference. Together we can UNRAVEL. We love you all. We love Jennifer so much. Forever 6. She will never be forgotten. ALWAYS Remembered. LOVE4JLK♡.

  24. Samantha says:

    I don’t know you or your sweet family and I don’t comment often, but I read every entry. My heart breaks for you and your entire family. I am just so sorry…there really are not any words. I saw the Fault in Our Stars last night (based on the book by John Green) and although my tears fell because of the heartbreakingly beautiful plot, I couldn’t help but think of your Jennifer and all the kids who are no longer here because of this stupid disease called cancer. I am just so sorry that that movie (or a version of it) is anyone’s reality. It should not be that way. Jennifer is a beautiful little girl and her story has touched me…I know I will always remember her! Sending thoughts and prayers to you all!

  25. Charla Herider says:

    Runna race this month for a little boy who just turned 8 and was diagnosed with DIPG in January. While it may be his name on the event, also will be running for Jennifer and all children battling the beast. First song on my mp3…Brave.

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