In a perfect world kids wouldn’t get cancer. But we don’t live in a perfect world. I’ve asked myself over and over, am I up trying to fix something that cannot be fixed? The answer is no – it can be fixed. Research in the past thirty years has proven just that. Survival rates are so much higher than they used to be. But wait…research did not save Amanda Peebles (her picture is above). Her life was cut short at 12 years old due to a lack of research, a lack of a cure. How sad it is that she and her family were told that nothing more could be done?
We are coming up on the one year mark of Amanda’s passing. I remember her each day. Amanda was a girl who knew and observed what others were struggling with; very rarely did she ever focus on herself. I used to sit with her and play while she was at the hospital – we got some pretty good use out of a fake cash register and plastic credit cards, playing store (she always enjoyed keeping flawless paperwork of your charges). When she would get sick, you saw it in her eyes – she would be sparkling with excitement with an enormous smile and it would suddenly change. Her eyes would look away and she’d fight the feeling of nausea. Finally she would calmly say, “I don’t think I can play anymore”. Amanda would apologize for not being able to continue having fun – she felt bad she couldn’t be happier while I was there. She wanted to make sure I had a good time.
The pain is not mine alone – it is shared by her sister, her brother, and her parents. Amanda’s journey impacted their lives forever. I see how amazing her older sister is and the path that she must continue without her sister. She is an example to me in every way. Her mother has been at every event possible, helping to continue this fight. It is incredible to see the strength they have.
I am continuing to do what I can. In several months I will be launching a new effort with a refreshing direction of funding the cure for childhood cancer. It will be a product of my experiences the past few years in this community. In Amanda’s honor, I will do what I can to make sure another family get’s more time with their child.
I want your help. I need your help. Your ideas, thoughts, experiences, and knowledge can help me continue to grow this effort. Please contact me if you have a desire to help me and these kids. I can’t save Amanda, almost a year ago I said my final goodbye to her, but her life changed mine and I can’t avoid doing all I can. She lives on through mine and your actions to save others.
Please contact me at 858-212-2191 or email at j@jeremybliler.com to be a resource for my new ventures.
