Giving Tree

 
Back in August, we participated in the F2TF 5K, where over 70 family members and family friends ran for Team Preslee. While we were there, each team was encouraged to put together a Giving Tree, and deliver it to a person in need.

Last Fall we were saddened to learn that one of Pat’s friends from high school had a little boy named Miles who had just been diagnosed with cancer. Here’s a little snippet of Miles’ story.

Miles' parents took him to the pediatric emergency room after a week of fever and tummy pain. After an ultrasound found a large tumor near his kidney, he was admitted to the Pediatric Dept. at Banner Thunderbird Hospital. Through the week of tests they discovered the cancer to be Neuroblastoma with a main tumor larger than a softball grown next the his adrenal gland. The tumor was too large, well supplied by blood vessels and entangled around his aorta to remove during his biopsy surgery. Further tests show his bone marrow and skull to be infected as well. Miles’ cancer is the most aggressive type with a current survival rate of 40-60%. Miles has recently been undergoing chemotherapy and will have marrow transplants, radiation and other therapies once the tumor has decreased to a manageable size.

We immediately knew we wanted to deliver a tree to Miles and his family, but living in AZ, it made it difficult. I applied with F2TF, was approved, and received everything I needed to put one together. We then waited a few months (We didn’t know how to get it to them) until my Aunt Cindy called and said they were driving to AZ and had room to take the tree with them. We were thrilled and it was delivered just last week.

Putting the three together was a positive experience. Miles is Ledger’s age, so I involved Ledge as much as I could. I asked him what he thought would make Miles happy, and he immediately replied “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys!” So we made TMNT a priority :)

Here are pictures my Aunt sent me from AZ.

   
What’s on the Giving Tree? Anything For a Friend matches $500 along with donations people on Team Preslee gave (Thank you!) We folded cash into butterflies and hung them, along with gift cards, toys, and inspirational quotes. We were told to incorporate Preslee, so we added pink necklaces (He has a little sister we felt could play with them) and a couple of monkeys, because we call Pres Monkey.


(Clayton Mortensen, and Miles)

We are still praying Miles, and are his biggest fans!
“Let’s Go Miles!”
 

To learn more about Miles,
click {here} to visit his Facebook page.
And {here} to donate.

Click {here} to learn more about Anything For a Friend
Thank you for allowing us to be apart of your organization!