sweet grace

It's been a while since we've last written; I've been struggling with exhaustion and not feeling well. But today I read something that puts life back into perspective.

Some of you remember Grace, the beautiful little girl who lived next door to our room on the transplant floor. Sadly, her parents have taken her home to die; she is very unwell, and her disease (a very rare cancer) has spread and is beyond treatment. Please keep Grace and her family in your prayers this week as they find ways to say good-bye and to grieve. My heart goes out to them completely.

Others (and this seems so random at times) are bettering. Eddie, for example, is making some progress, very slow, but progress nonetheless. He's certainly excited for his event tomorrow--though he won't be there, he's been working hard to contribute to it, baking for the bake sale, and painting a work of art for our auction. :) We hope many of you will come out to Tatiana's tomorrow night to support him and his family. We're especially excited at the way our community of transplant friends is coming together tomorrow--a few families who've had bone marrow transplants will be there, as well as Eddie's nurse from 6 West. How cool.

And others are completely well. Orilus and Jackson are thriving (with the usual hiccups of misbehaviors common to 4th and 3rd graders). :) Both plan to attend tomorrow night, and are looking forward to celebrating with many of you a complete recovery, and hope for Eddie's complete recovery.

Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night. As we celebrate, we will remember Grace, and remember again how much we are, all of us, in need of the gifts only God can give.

Grace of Jesus be with us all,
Melissa

eat for eddie

Dear Family and Friends,

Our family would like to invite you to come and eat with us. Join us in our Eat for Eddie event!On Wednesday, October 24th from 5 - 9 p.m., our family will join with Eddie's family at Tatiana's Restaurant (70 Market Street in Lynn) to raise money for Eddie's Fund. Tickets are $25 per adult ($5 for children) and include a meal (you'll get to choose from a varied and yummy event menu), a soft drink, and gratuity.

You'll also be treated to live jazz and pop music from Tony Gallo Group! Finally, our evening will include...
...a bone marrow donor registry...your chance to register as a potential bone marrow donor and save a life!
...a silent auction!
...a bake sale (featuring Eddie and Orilus' baking skills)!

We hope you'll consider coming to Tatiana's on the evening of the 24th; tickets will be available at the door. Proceeds from the event will benefit Eddie's Fund, established by our family to support Eddie, a seven-year-old North Shore boy we met while on the bone marrow transplant floor last year. Eddie continues to fight for good health, and Eddie's Fund provides the financial support and hope he needs to do just that. So come and eat...Eat for Eddie...and help to heal a young life.

Orilus and our family would LOVE to see you there!

If you cannot come but would like to donate to Eddie's Fund, send a check made out to Eddie's Fund to:
Eastern Bank
405 Paradise Road, B337
Swampscott, MA 01907

Thanks for supporting Eddie's Fund!
Melissa on behalf of Team Winchell and our buddy Eddie