We are also planning projects for Join Hands Day.  This is a special event involving youth and adults working on projects that will benefit our neighborhoods.  We encourage congregations to contact a NE Seattle board member for an activity going on in your area.  Seed money has been set aside to promote the Join Hands Day  activities.  To Qualify as a Join Hands Day activity sponsored by the Northeast Seattle Chapter, the activity must involve individuals or families from at least six Thrivent Financial member households.  Congregations are encouraged to work together to make this event a special activity in our community.  Join Hands Day activities may be conducted during the time window of April 1 to July 1.  The Join Hands Day events for the NE Seattle Chapter include a food drive for the University Food Bank, the Farmshare project, Compass Center Veterans' Housing in Shoreline landscaping, Hopelink food drive and North Helpline food drive.

Thrivent Financial members around the nation always have been a big part of this special day sponsored by America's fraternal societies, including Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.  Last year, five Join Hands Day activities led by Thrivent Financial Chapters were selected from thousands of activities nationwide for a Excellent Award, which recognizes the top 20 activities and the outstanding efforts of those who conducted them.  Like last year, this year's national winners will receive a grant of $1000.  To be eligible for the national award, the activity must be registered on the Join Hands Day web site at www.joinhandsday.org and be conducted on May 1,2004.

A week after diagnosis, neurosurgeons at Children's Hospital in Seattle removed 98% of the tumor in a 13 hour surgery.  A tiny bit of tumor that was wrapped around the brain stem could not be removed but the surgeons still consider this a complete resection.  The pathology report showed the tumor to be a medulloblastoma.  This type of cancerous tumor is mostly found in Children aged 3 to 10.  Fortunately, the tumor cells had not spread.

After the surgery, Allison faced many challenges!  Immediately following surgery, she was able to move her arms and legs and spoke a few words, but slipped into what is called posterior fossa syndrome with cerebellar mutism.  She could not speak or make sounds, could not move her head and had very little control over her arm and leg movements.  The left side of her face was paralyzed with the left side of her body much weaker than the right.  Her eyes could not focus, making vision very difficult.

Six weeks of recovery at Children's Hospital were followed by two months of care at Children's Country Home in Woodinville.  Her mother, Jen, was with her day and night, relieved by other family members so Allison was never alone.  The nurses at Children's Country Home taught Jen how to deal with feeding tubes, admister IV antibiotics, bathing, physical exercises, and transfers from bed to wheelchair to car.

Allison was finally strong enough for rehab at Children's Hospital.  She received six weeks of inpatient rehabilitation while also receiving radiation, then chemotherapy treatment.  While at Children's, Allison was tutored by Diane Dieni, her former kindergarten teacher, and the hospital staff to keep up, as much as possible, with her second grade class.  She began to eat soft foods, and say several words.  During this time, the family learned more about caring for her needs and what equipment would be needed for her care at home.  Allison needed a custom made wheelchair, special carseat, and bathing equipment.

"Today, a year later, Allison is doing amazingly well," says Jen.  She is able to sit up unassisted with her arms and hand almost being back to normal.  She is still in a wheelchair, but doctors, therapists, and family are hopeful that she will be able to walk someday.  Allison is at Kenmore Elementary half days in the third grade with a full time aide.  She receives physical, occupational and speech therapy three times a week between the hospital and school.  Jen states, "Allison is the hardest worker I have ever met; rarely complains and faces each diagnosis and each treatment head on.  She is almost always smiling, still thinks of others before herself and has difinitely not lost her sense of humor."  (I believe her parents have modeled these attitudes for Allison.)  She still requires help to do most things but has a strong desire for independence.  She finished her chemotherapy in March.

I have abbreviated ALLISON'S STORY into this summary version.  The entire staff and student body at Kenmore Elementary are aware of the journey Allison and her family are taking.  Everyone has wanted to do something tangible to help; this fund raising project to buy efficient transportation felt right.

The reality of today and everyday is that Allison needs to be transported to doctors, cancer treatment, physical therapy, school, and other events.  In a short two months the lives of everyone in this family changed dramatically.  The family did not complain or ask,  but when approached with the idea of raising funds to purchase a reliable van large enough to hold Allison and her wheelchair comfortably, the family was enthused.

If you would like to help,  your donation will be matched by The NE Seattle Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans up to $3000.  Having a vehicle capable of transporting Allison and her wheelchair will make a positive difference in the lives of a family living with daily challenges.  Check and cash will be deposited in the ALLISON TRANSPORTATION account at the Wells Fargo bank, Bothell Washington.   Your donation will be tax deductible.  This is a good way for your dollars to make a substantial difference in the quality of life for Allison.