In February, I invited all of you to join me in raising funds for Love146, an organization helping restore survivors of child sex trafficking and exploitation.
Together we gave $956. If you missed that post, it's not too late to donate a few dollars to this important issue.
And now I have the opportunity to introduce a new cause for us to gather behind with all the strength of our mama hearts.
Today I'm a little distracted. Even as I type these words my daughter Trishna is having surgery on both her eyes.
My daughter's operation will have an amazing outcome and improve her vision, but it still means hospital wards, doctors in masks, and items that would intimidate any of us--especially a 6-year-old girl.
Trishna will be finished with her procedure in just a few hours and will return to the comfort of home.
But some children are far too familiar with long, sterile hospital corridors.
Children who must visit far too frequently, receiving regular chemo and radiation treatments--only to leave hours later sick and vomiting.
Catherine's son, Mason, during his cancer treatments
Some mamas out there bravely fight back rivers of tears as they watch their babies suffer.
Mamas who pray with all their might that this battle will result in victory--mamas who hope for another day, month, year, and decade to spend with their precious little one.
For those of us who've never experienced it, it's hard to imagine.
Catherine Bernard, one of Steady Mom's monthly contributors, knows this path all too well. Her seven-year-old son has been fighting childhood leukemia for five years now.
He's a survivor, and last month he finished up his final course of chemotherapy.
You can follow Mason's journey through Catherine's blog, The Shoe Box Daily. (And find out how you can join the celebrations of Mason completing cancer treatments here.)
Through Catherine I first heard about the Foundation for Children with Cancer, an organization helping to financially ease the minds of families enduring this challenge.
"The mission of the Foundation for Children with Cancer is to financially assist the families of children with cancer.
By providing tangible and direct financial support, such as mortgage payments, insurance premiums and utility bills, families are given a greater opportunity to focus on their child’s treatment and recovery."
For the next three months, I want to invite Steady Mom readers to join me in giving to help families of children with cancer.
As of today there are 1,904 of you reading Steady Mom (thank you!), and our dollars combined can make a real impact in the lives of children with cancer.
Steve and I donated $100 to kick off the giving. I'll provide updates and reminders throughout the next quarter about how much we've raised.
Whether it's $1, $5, $100 or more--thank you for using your dollars to advocate for children.
Jamie is founder of this little spot called Steady Mom, editor of the blog Simple Homeschool, mama to three cute kids born on three different continents, and author of Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood.