Operation GIFT CARD Birthday Blog

#40days Day 40: On this 40th day, I'm taking a leap of faith & thanking YOU in advance for helping me continue to leave a legacy of #giving, #goodwill and #gratitude. {keep reading!}

My 40th birthday is in exactly 2 weeks. 

I've been back and forth on what to do to celebrate me but every time I kept thinking of what I could do for others. 

You know if you've followed me for long that #childhoodcancer and #caregivers are dear to my heart. You know in years past we've made contributions in honor of my #adoption, you joined me as I did "a gift to myself" with 36 random acts of kindness #rak and you helped me deliver 50+ caregiver bags on my birthday in 2013 with #operationlove 

#superJace actually helped me with the idea for this year --> 

#OPERATIONgiftcard

We want to deliver AT LEAST 40 gift cards to the kids at Jace's clinic {Children's Hospital}. 

One of Jace's FAVORITE things after chemo was being able to go pick out his own toy at a real store after his long day of infusions. He most often went with his mask on and me sheltering him from any possible germ but his face and smile were always worth it when he walked out proudly with a small toy. 

See, those of us that have walked the path of incredibly ill children don't take even a quick visit to a store for granted because we know how impossible it can be to do with immune deficient kids. 

We know that many kids get to pick out toys while at the clinic and many of them are delivered toys by many other organizations but we wanted to give them the freedom to pick out something they really love. 

So $5 or $10 cards will work! It need not be expensive to make a HUGE impact on their day. 
You can deliver the cards to me or mail them to me at PO BOX 6, Celina, Tx 75009
We will be delivering the cards on Dec 7, so that gives you some time to pick one up and get it to us! 
Thank you in advance for helping us! We couldn't make a difference this big without your help! 


#gratitude #grateful #thankful #thankfulness

Become Thankful in 40 Days

9 years ago I sat in my car realizing that the world around me was more negative than I ever expected. I was going through a difficult time and had a revelation that I did not have to join in the negativity of the crowd. I decided to start a movement that started within me first. I began posting my gratitude on social media. One day turned into two and so on until I was at the end of 40 days. 

If this sounds like a place that you're coming from, keep reading. . . 

A question I continue to ask of my family and my students is this: Are you using the power of social media to help or hinder those around you? 

In those early years of #40days, I didn't blog about my experience and I wish I had. The transformation within me is what helped me get through some of my worst days and years. 

My first blog (40 is all you need) talks about changing the world with an attitude that isn't driven by the issues and struggles in your life. 

My second blog (Grab Gratitude) tells exactly how 40 Days of Thankfulness was birthed and how one single declaration a day can help change your attitude altogether. 

You can visit my past blogs to read about Maria's gratitude story , how 40 Days WILL Change You, and my perspective on gratitude in the middle of our childhood cancer days with #superJace. 

I started this blog based on my belief that gratitude is one of the most powerful keys to living life to the fullest. 

You cannot and will not grow until you take time to stop and breathe out a moment of gratitude. 

40 Days of Thankfulness is simply about cleansing your mind and detoxing yourself from the negative, toxic thoughts, comparison to others,  bitterness, unforgiveness, low self-esteem, focus on lack or dwelling on mistakes. 

I cannot promise you it will be easy. 

It will not. 

Every single year within the 40 days, something I have struggled with has been revealed. Every single year, I've had to stretch myself to overcome a situation or a thought that has had power over me. 

When you commit yourself to take 40 days to declare even the smallest gratitude you will begin teaching yourself to live a new level and will change your heart and your life in the process. 

So, how does #40days work? 

You choose where to document your thankful. You can write it in a journal (as shown below). 

You can post it on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram (don't forget to include hashtag #40days) If you're a SnapChat user, you can also snap it to your story so that your friends see it. 

The idea is to declare one gratitude per day. Some days you may have what we call a "bonus gratitude" or an extra good day where you want to acknowledge your blessing. 

Eventually your friends will start asking what you're up to, that's when you'll share this page with them and have them join you, too! https://www.facebook.com/40daysofthankfulness/ 

{They do not have to have facebook to see this public page.}

In years past to get the kids involved, we've bought a large poster frame, thrown on some chalkboard spray paint and let them use chalkboard markers to declare their own gratitude. They LOVE makers and seeing the board after 40 days with thankfulness in their own handwriting is fun for all of us and a good conversation started for visitors.  

                     

            
 
           

You could also write your daily thankful on some pretty scrapbook paper strips and add it to a jar to go back through and read later. 

There is no right or wrong way to do this. However, writing it down is imperative to your success. 

You will want to stop.

Like anything that grows you, you will want to resist it. You will come up with every excuse in the book. 

"I had a long day. I was too tired. I didn't have time. This day had nothing good in it. I can't think of anything. I didn't feel well enough. The kids kept me too busy. I was out late."

Look, I know. I KNOW. 

But you have to push through those days and moments. 

Join the Facebook Page we've created for you! Accept and "Go" the current year's 40 Days of Thankfulness event. You will have support there and many gratitude friends to cheer you on. 

The event page will list for you the days we've set aside to start and end, but if you want to start immediately, DO IT! :) 

The ending date is intentionally set so that you will end your 40 days the week of Thanksgiving. 

Now,  prepare your mind for these next 40 days! 

#40days

https://www.facebook.com/40daysofthankfulness/

Do Something. Do Anything. 4% Isn't Enough.

*updated September 2017

For all the days of my life, I'll be an advocate for childhood cancer. 

Jace looks normal now and most people will forget his journey eventually, but his 4 years of treatment have changed everything for us. 

We will never be the same. 

We will never look at life the same. 

There's not much left to say that I haven't already said, but there's so much left to do. 

4% of funding is all our kids are getting for childhood cancer. 

Meanwhile, because it's more profitable for drug companies, breast cancer gets $584 million. 

How can that NOT resonate with you? 

We can talk about how sad it is that 36 kids are diagnosed with cancer each day. 

We can cry because we feel and see the pain they and their families go through. 

We can look away  because for some it's just too much to handle. 

OR we can do something. 

Anything. 

• Give up your Starbucks for the month and give all of the money saved to one of the organizations listed below. 

• Buy a T-shirt to wear to bring awareness. 

• If you run, sign up to run as a St. Jude hero or something similar. 

• Shave your head with St. Baldrick's. 

I'm always churning ideas in my head to make an impact. 

We will offer you at least TWO ways, locally, for you to make a difference and GO GOLD in September for Super Jace and kids like him. 

Just because Jace's treatment phase is over doesn't mean we will stop teaching, leading, and showing others why 4% ISN'T ok. 

Nothing will change if all we do is sit and wish the reality was different. 

No one in power will change anything unless WE make them see why this isn't ok. 

I hope you'll join our family this month and choose to do at least one thing to create change. 

Childhood Cancer Donation List

  We cannot say enough about many of these organizations. Most of them have directly impacted our lives. (I've placed a * beside the ones we've directly benefitted from.)

We share them with you in good conscience that they are doing what they say they will do with your monetary donations. 

Visit Charity Navigator to view efficiencies & financial information for many major charities:

http://www.charitynavigator.org

National

Cure Search

http://www.curesearch.org

Triumph Over Kid Cancer

http://triumphoverkidcancer.org

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation

http://www.stbaldricks.org

Alex's Lemonade Stand

http://www.alexslemonade.org

Lighthouse Family Retreat *

https://lighthousefamilyretreat.org

Local - Texas

Team Connor

http://teamconnor.org

Heroes for Children

http://www.heroesforchildren.org

Silver Dollar At The Ranch *

http://www.silverdollarattheranch.com

Make A Wish *

http://wish.org

http://ntx.wish.org

Hope Kids *

https://www.hopekids.org

Peach's Neet Feet *

https://peachsneetfeet.com

1 Million 4 Anna

www.1million4anna.org

September - Childhood Cancer "We Don't Fight Alone"

We are excited about September because this is the month we can be EXTRA LOUD about voicing our support for kids like Jace and reminding others how important childhood cancer awareness is to all of the kids & families affected. We try to give you a glimpse into what families like us experience and all the challenges that pop up along the journey.

This year we not only have a donation list for you again, but we also will be selling t-shirts to honor both Childhood Cancer Awareness and Super Jace.

There are LOTS of ways to support children who have cancer and their families. We don't ask that you do them all, but that you AT LEAST share our story with those you meet and bring awareness for just how many kids are affected each day.

>>WEAR YOUR SUPPORT <<

We've partnered with Kathryn over at Dash of Flair and created a special Childhood Cancer tee that reminds us all that "We Don't Fight Alone" and that everyday 43 kids are diagnosed with childhood cancer.

$4 from each shirt will go to the fund of your choice: Team Connor Or The Jace Poncio Medical Fund.

Kathryn will be taking pre-orders starting now. Please click here to grab your shirt! You can also email her at ShopDashofFlair@yahoo.com for questions.

Shirt sizes 3XL and 2XL...........$25

Sizes S, M, L, XL.......................$20

Youth S, M, L..............................$20

Kids 2T, 3T, 4T, 5/6, 7..............$20

We have also teamed up again with fellow co-worker, Carol Lynn and her husband, to bring back the original blue Super Jace t-shirts. We know you've ALL been asking for them for the longest time and that time is now!!!

We've created a pre-order form for you, also. 

Just click this link and fill in your information: http://goo.gl/forms/uWPfv12u5I

Questions can be sent to onthewingsofgratitude@gmail.com

All shirts $20

* For shipping, add $5

>>SUPPORT WITH YOUR TIME<<

We also will be working with our local high school and St. Baldricks to bring more awareness to schools. Be watching our social media sites or here for more information regarding this effort. We are working hard to get information out to you as soon as we've ironed out the details.

In addition, we've been asked to be part of a few events coming up in October including the local health fair put on by the City of Celina which will include a walk.

We will also be working with Team Conner (listed below) and their Color Me Green 5K and Caterpillar Dash.

Please be watching our social media feeds, Jace's page and our personal pages for more information so you can mark your calendar!

>>DONATE YOUR SUPPORT<<

And as always we encourage you to donate ANY amount of money to the organizations listed below. The government only gives 5% of funding to childhood cancers. Our children are our future and should be taken care of better than this.

As always we thank you for your continued support, love and prayers.

~The Poncios

Childhood Cancer Donation List

**direct money only to childhood cancer related causes, primarily research

If you'd like to, specifically, help a family whose child is currently undergoing treatment, please email us for more information. onthewingsofgratitude@gmail.com   

Visit Charity Navigator to view efficiencies & financial information for many major charities:

http://www.charitynavigator.org

National

Cure Search

http://www.curesearch.org

Triumph Over Kid Cancer

http://triumphoverkidcancer.org

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation

http://www.stbaldricks.org

Alex's Lemonade Stand

http://www.alexslemonade.org

Local - Texas

Team Connor

http://teamconnor.org

Heroes for Children

http://www.heroesforchildren.org

Sarcoma specific:

Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative

http://sarcomahelp.org

1 Million 4 Anna

www.1million4anna.org

OTHER

Make A Wish

http://wish.org

http://ntx.wish.org

Hope Kids

https://www.hopekids.org

Kenna's Kids

http://www.kennaskids.org

Peach's Neet Feet

https://peachsneetfeet.com

Lighthouse Family Retreat

https://lighthousefamilyretreat.org

Childhood Cancer - Now That You Know, DONATE!

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Action Month! 

Most of you are aware now how often children are diagnosed and thrown into this community without warning. If you've been reading this blog or this caring bridge for any amount of time, especially at the beginning of our journey, then you know we've been very candid about our struggles and our victories with Jace and leukemia. 

I think I'm speaking for most of the families I know affected by childhood cancer when I say we celebrate when anyone wears a Super Jace T-shirt, remembers yellow Wednesdays or donates to our new passion Operation Love in hopes of making it a non-profit for families of childhood cancer  (We always need donations!). We are thrilled because doing these things means YOU are being AWARE and thinking outside of what's going on in your own life. 

Now we are being candid about taking action. 

The only way that we will make a difference is if we band together and DONATE to places that are making a difference in research and in lives. 

Fellow cancer mom, Candi (www.caringbridge.org/visit/karly) and I put together a list of specific places that we know, firsthand, are focusing, specifically, on childhood cancer. You may see some of your favorite charities not listed. We wanted to give you a list of organizations that we as cancer parents trust and know are giving most of their donations to childhood cancer research. (more info http://www.stbaldricks.org/filling-the-funding-gap/)

Some of the links below are organizations that either help families financially or help give the kids and the families some great memories during treatment that we've worked with, personally. 


The following list should be helpful to you as you make your choice for donations this month. 

Childhood Cancer Donation List

**direct money only to childhood cancer related causes, primarily research

If you'd like to, specifically, help a family whose child is currently undergoing treatment, please email us for more information. onthewingsofgratitude@gmail.com   

Visit Charity Navigator to view efficiencies & financial information for many major charities:

http://www.charitynavigator.org

National

Cure Search

http://www.curesearch.org

Triumph Over Kid Cancer

http://triumphoverkidcancer.org

The St. Baldrick’s Foundation

http://www.stbaldricks.org

Alex's Lemonade Stand

http://www.alexslemonade.org

Local - Texas

Team Connor

http://teamconnor.org

Heroes for Children

http://www.heroesforchildren.org

Sarcoma specific:

Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative

http://sarcomahelp.org

1 Million 4 Anna

www.1million4anna.org

OTHER

Make A Wish

http://wish.org

http://ntx.wish.org

Hope Kids

https://www.hopekids.org

Kenna's Kids

http://www.kennaskids.org

Peach's Neet Feet

https://peachsneetfeet.com

Lighthouse Family Retreat

https://lighthousefamilyretreat.org

Reckless, Fearless, Courageous

Faith. 

It's one of my favorite words. I even used it to name the sweet middle child. And her faith - it's like she was drenched in deep, genuine faith. 

Since I can remember I've always had faith. Some of my darkest days were lit up by a twinkle of faith, hope. . . .

These days faith is a decision we have to make over and over and over daily. 

On day 1 of this cancer journey, we started off strong. We believed. We prayed prayers of victory. Then, the journey got longer and looking back we know that our foundation of faith was the only thing getting us through. We did a lot of work in turning over the small things to God so we knew that turning over the bigger things would work out, too. 

We are in the middle of this long marathon. Day 485 to be exact. The longer you are in a storm the harder it is to stay on course even when you know your consistency is what will help you prevail. 

Today, on day 485, I can tell you that post traumatic stress is real. (http://bit.ly/1nS6JGy)

Today, on day 485, I can tell you that  I have had many more valleys than I expected. 

Today, on day 485, I can tell you that I have to decide daily to lean on faith and not sight. 

Today, on day 485, I can tell you that our walk in faith is not easy. 

Today, on day 485, I can tell you that we are grateful still. 

Today, on day 485, I can tell you that I'm vowing to myself to have a reckless, fearless, courageous faith every single day that I wake up - no matter what tries to knock me down.