Healing starts with a smile. Help us create smiles and save lives.
In the fall of 2012, I volunteered at the only pediatric oncology hospital in Nicaragua and met children who were fighting for their life, and whose family were not only fighting to save their child but also struggling to survive. Many of these families were surviving on less than two dollars a day. The hospital has limited resources and helping the children pass the time while waiting for treatment is not a priority so on a weekly basis I went to the hospital to do arts and crafts with the children. I thought if I can help them escape their reality for even five minutes, I am making a difference. We sat on the floor in an empty corridor and created magic. Little pieces of healing magic. The children loved the time we spent together - we sang songs, we read books and made art.
In December of that year, I came back to my home in NYC and a month after our return my fourteen month old girl was diagnosed with leukemia. My baby girl had cancer. I won't lie, at first I thought how is this fair? I just spent five months trying to make a difference in the lives of children fighting cancer and now this. I was mad. This is not how it was supposed to go. Sadly for me, I had to quickly realize that none of that matters. Cancer can touch any of our lives and in an instant change it. I had to get over my anger and embrace that this was my new reality. Once I was able to do that, I was able to see the gift that those children were giving me now. Having seen their suffering put my family's suffering into perspective. Yes my daughter had cancer but having seen those children smile through the toughest times gave me strength. I knew we too would be able to smile.
My daughter was being treated in NYC by world-class doctors, state of the art equipment and I knew she would beat cancer. Together we would beat it. Today, six years later I remember the exact moment, on January 14th, when we were told "Alex has cancer." I remember everything about that moment. Alex sleeping on dad's shoulder, Trent and I holding hands and tears rolling down my cheeks, I remember the knock on the door before the doctor came in with the news... That day changed our lives forever and I want to do something to help change the lives of others. Help others win in their fight against cancer. I thank my friends who agreed to embark on this journey with me and create Friends of CONANCA to give children in Nicaragua a greater chance at winning this fight. I thank every donor who is making it possible for Friends of CONANCA to make an impact. Because of you we are making a difference.
Thank you!
Lucy Philipp
Founder
In December of that year, I came back to my home in NYC and a month after our return my fourteen month old girl was diagnosed with leukemia. My baby girl had cancer. I won't lie, at first I thought how is this fair? I just spent five months trying to make a difference in the lives of children fighting cancer and now this. I was mad. This is not how it was supposed to go. Sadly for me, I had to quickly realize that none of that matters. Cancer can touch any of our lives and in an instant change it. I had to get over my anger and embrace that this was my new reality. Once I was able to do that, I was able to see the gift that those children were giving me now. Having seen their suffering put my family's suffering into perspective. Yes my daughter had cancer but having seen those children smile through the toughest times gave me strength. I knew we too would be able to smile.
My daughter was being treated in NYC by world-class doctors, state of the art equipment and I knew she would beat cancer. Together we would beat it. Today, six years later I remember the exact moment, on January 14th, when we were told "Alex has cancer." I remember everything about that moment. Alex sleeping on dad's shoulder, Trent and I holding hands and tears rolling down my cheeks, I remember the knock on the door before the doctor came in with the news... That day changed our lives forever and I want to do something to help change the lives of others. Help others win in their fight against cancer. I thank my friends who agreed to embark on this journey with me and create Friends of CONANCA to give children in Nicaragua a greater chance at winning this fight. I thank every donor who is making it possible for Friends of CONANCA to make an impact. Because of you we are making a difference.
Thank you!
Lucy Philipp
Founder