Gentlemen, thank you again for the kind words and donations - I honestly got choked up last night when I read through the threads, and showed them to my wife who got choked up as well.
When we were leaving the hospital after Ellie's diagnosis, it was early February last year after a three day stay. I ran a bunch of stuff to the car, and got in the elevator when another gentleman jumped in, saw I was carrying a bunch of stuff and asked if I was going home. I told him yes, that after "three long days", we were ready to take our daughter home and try to figure out our new normal. He was very cheery, and said that was great, that his family was hoping to head home later that week. I asked him how long they had been there. His reply? "Since early October".
Wow, talk about having things put in perspective. I asked details, and his 8 year old daughter had a cancerous tumor removed from the top of her spine, went through chemo, physical therapy, and was due to be released a few months before, when a blood test came back abnormal, and the cancer had returned. She had just finished up her second surgery, second round of chemo, second round of physical therapy and was about to head home. We talked for a bit longer, wished each other well, and parted ways.
There are many, many stories out there, and you guys are 100% correct, every $ donated is one more step in the right direction for these kids and their families.
I look forward to sending out a bunch of cookies this year!!!! Thanks guys!