| St. Joseph Altar |
| We are doing a St. Joseph Altar this year (2010). We are accepting donations for it and you may spread the word. The 2010 Altar is dedicated to Gabrielle Chiasson and Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. We have approached the 8th anniversary of the removal of Tommy's brain tumor. Yearly MRI's are still done. We raised $1700 for Gabrielle Chiasson at the 2009 St. Joseph Altar. ***The 2009 Altar proceeds will go to Gabrielle "Gabby" Chaisson, a 10 year old neuroblastoma patient. May the Lord hold this child and continue giving this family strength. She is now Tommy's Wish!! ***In 2008 Tommy requested the money on the altar be donated to the family of Anthony "Tony" Orlando a 6 year old with cancer. This is a family that must travel to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for treatments. It is the only place that can treat Tony for this type of cancer. May God Bless them!!! Tony has no sign of cancer today!!!! ** In 2008 we were also able to send a small token to a family that needed some funds. Here is Kayla Prieto's story and what a precious angel she is! Five-year-old Kayla Prieto is a very young cancer survivor. Last year, she was diagnosed with ganglioneuroblastoma. A mass made up of mostly benign cells intertwined with malignant ones was growing inside her spinal canal and into her abdomen. The tumor had wrapped around her spine and was pushing against her kidneys. But with the help of doctors at St. Jude Hospital and Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., and a lot of prayers, Kayla is expected to make a full recovery. It took two surgeries to remove the cancer and physical therapy to get her back on her feet. "I always knew that she was going to be all right," said her father, Carlos. "I never doubted that Kayla would be OK." It is Tommy's wish to have an altar each year to raise money in hopes of helping others. In 2007 money went to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the American Heart Association. Food for the altar is also needed, donations will happily be accepted. Thank You!!! |
| YOU AND ME AGAINST THE WORLD
Helen Reddy You and me against the world Sometimes it seems like You and me against the world When all the others Turn their backs and walked away You can count on me to stay Remember when the circus came to town How you were frightened by the clown Wasn't it nice to be around Someone that you knew Someone who was big and strong And looking out for you You and me against the world Sometimes it seems like You and me against the world And for all the times we've cried I always felt that God was on our side And when one of us is gone And one of us is left to carry on Then remembering will have to do Our memories alone will get us through Think about the days of me and you Of you and me against the world Remember when the circus came to town How you were frightened by the clown Wasn't it nice to be around Someone that you knew Someone who was big and strong And looking out for you You and me against the world Sometimes it seems like You and me against the world And for all the times we've cried I always felt that God was on our side And when one of us is gone And one of us is left to carry on Then remembering will have to do Our memories alone will get us through Think about the days of me and you Of you and me against the world |
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| Tommy's Wish Foundation, Inc. Saint Joseph Altar 1032 Avenue C, Westwego, LA Will Be March 19 & 20th, 2010 |
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| I will never forget all the times I held Tommy in my arms and had to bring him to the doctor. All those endless visits, all those MRI's, all that bloodwork. I would put him in his little car seat and buckle him up. He was so skinny that he would squirm out of it and then I would pull over and put him back in. I had to keep him safe, it was my job. I couldn't keep him safe from a brain tumor though. "You and Me Against the World" was one of my favorite songs and suddenly it meant more to me than ever. Our little daughter Shannon was in school now and my husband Tom had to go to work. Tom would take off for the MRI's when Tommy was little to help me out. So Tommy and I would go off and fight our battles, brave soldiers we became. At my weakest point I asked God "Why did you do this to my child?", I immediately received an answer and that answer was "I love you so much that I sent you Tommy to take care of." Tommy was eight years old at that point, we had to wait another seven years for the tumor to be removed. Our beautiful son was a gift from the Lord. My argument was forever over with Him. From then on 100% trust was put in God, he had plans for us. We didn't know what it was but He knew. We'll never forget when he started school and others would mistreat him. Finally we started a homeschool organization so children like him would not be mistreated. Now Tommy is 23 years old and he is one of the most beautiful people that God has created. His sister Shannon is married and has a beautiful son that her and her husband Michael named Jacob. Shannon and Michael are always near and live about a mile away. Please listen to Helen Reddy sing "Me and You Against the World" Written by Sylvia Munch Effler (Tommy's Mom) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6DdWIPLSbQ |
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| St. Joseph Altar 2008 |
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