THANKS FOR GIVING

What we are most Thankful during this time of Thanksgiving is our Family. Matt, Dana, Sean and Korrine. We are Thankful to all of you who so graciously have given to Team K.C. in memory of our daughter Korrine in order to help other children with cancer.

Today I spoke with our Team K.C. Treasurer Cindy Gary and she told me that as of today we are looking at $20,000.00 raised at the Team K.C. SwimSTRONG event. My prayer has been that God would bless Team K.C. so that we can be a blessing to others. Because of your support we can be a blessing.

I am writing to Team K.C. some letters I have recently received from Kaiser Pediatric Oncology. These letters are sent to me from Kim Sherman, L.C.S.W. Kaiser Oakland Pediatric Oncology Clinical Social worker. This is how Team K.C. is helping children with Cancer. This is what we raise money for. I will be leaving the names out as to protect confidentiality.

Dear Dana and Matt, 11/18/09

I just called the mother of our four-year old hospitalized patient who receives intensive treatment for the diagnosis of AML, Leukemia. I explained to her that Team K.C. is offering to assist with the expense of the family's rent for the month of December. Mother was taken by surprise and completely grateful. She says she has been so worried about making ends meet and that this is welcome news. The patient has been in the hospital almost continuously since diagnosis on 10/8. This type of cancer requires aggressive inpatient treatment so the child will remain in the hospital for most of the five cycles of treatment required and in-between with medical complications. Both mother and father have not been working so as to take care of her other two siblings while being at the bedside of their 4 year old daughter.

Dear Dana and Matt, 11/17/09

Thank you, as ever, to Team K.C. for offering assistance to our family whose daughter, is presently on hospice care with a diagnosis of incurable, recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma. She is at an end point in her care at home and this is a very painful time for the family. Financial need is pressing because mother remains off work to be with her daughter and father is also prioritizing care to daughter and thus his income is decreased.

Dear Dana and Matt, 11/16/09

Thanks to Team K.C. for assisting pediatric oncology families during the coming holiday season here at Kaiser Oakland. In particular, families will benefit from gas and grocery gift cards. It would be wonderful to have some gift cards for Target as well to allow for the purchase of gifts for children. Having a few gift cards to a store like Michael's would also be helpful. We then could purchase art supplies for patients for use on long treatment days in the oncology clinic and in the hospital.

Dear Dana and Matt, 11/16/09

Thanks as ever for the generosity of Team K.C. in the support of pediatric oncology patients and families served at Kaiser Oakland. The news about the latest fundraising is amazing and wonderful.

In particular, I am so delighted that team K.C. will be able to cover the expense of an electric guitar for our 13-year-old patient. He remains in active treatment for a recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma. He was initially diagnosed in November of 2005 and relapsed early this year. Treatment will be long-term for this patient and he faces multiple challenges with this life-threatening disease. Music is a passion for this youngster he is greatly looking forward to his 'dream' guitar with the help of Team K.C..

These are just a few of the letters I receive it has been a blessing that we have not turned anyone down because of lack of funds. God keeps providing.

This is Korrine Lannie Croghan's dream come true. She believed her suffering was for God's Glory. She wanted to help others and this is what Team K.C. is doing.

We miss Korrine so much. Korrine is living in all our hearts and will continue to do so. Establishing the Team K.C. Pediatric Cancer Support Fund through the Tri-Valley Foundation has made us happy and keeps Korrine alive and helping to support other children going through cancer. Having gone through all of this ourselves was unbelievable I can never express to you what our daughter endured and what we saw her go through. At times I felt like I was watching my daughter being tortured the memories are painful of what she went through. She gave us all strength to go through it with her because she always smiled and kept a positive attitude!! We miss her and the Holidays will never be the same. We want you all to know our heartfelt gratitude of Thanks For Your Giving. Just think of all the families you are helping this holiday season.

We are currently doing another Teddy Bear Drive with Avon Representative Karen Casey. We will be purchasing Teddy Bears to give to the clinic and hospital to hand out to pediatric cancer patients during the Christmas Holiday. The proceeds that are raised for the Teddy Bears will also be donated back to Team KC Pediatric Cancer Fund to help families even further. Thank You to Betsy Wilson who is hosting a Cookie Lee Jewelry Fundraiser this Friday Night 50% of the proceeds will be donated back to Team K.C..

Our Family Prayer: Dear God, Please continue to bless Team K.C. so that we can be a blessing to others in need and bless the giver ten fold what they have so graciously given. I praise God because of all of Team K.C. The money that is being raised is incredible.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

In Korrine's Words
Stay Positive and LiveSTRONG,
Dana and Matt Croghan