Day 20 of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month - with a Dear Supporter and Friend, Linda Misencik!

It really is something when people take an interest in your family, especially during a bonafide crisis. Linda Misencik, now living in Colorado, is one of those who goes the distance to help support the people she holds dear - her family and friends.

As we went through tough times with Ryan's treatments and Olivia's activities, Linda, her husband, Mark, and their two children would make it a point to visit us in Maryland while they were living in Ohio, a few times a year. The visits were both fun and profound, and they were helpful for all of us.

Prior to moving to Maryland in the summer of 1996, hubby Bill, twin brother Don, and Mark all ran the 100th running of the Boston Marathon. The wives all went to the iconic race to support our guys. Afterwards, Linda caught the running bug and ran her first marathon in 1998. By 2001, while Ryan was in the throes of his cancer treatments, Linda decided to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Ryan's honor in the Chicago Marathon. She also began sending cards and notes to us. Everything was very much appreciated.

In 2004, when Ryan relapsed and needed a Bone Marrow Transplant, our family started the Postcard Project with Bill's genius idea that folks could send Ryan a simple postcard of sports and sports stadiums and other fun cards to read while hospitalized. We received postcards and other gifts, some of which were big and memorable. One cool gift that was sent to Ryan was a Brazilian Soccer Jersey from the National Team of Brazil. This was a compliment from Linda's international contacts from her job at that time. Ryan wore it for years until he outgrew it.

We are grateful for all the support we received and can never repay all the good that came our way in such traumatic times. Although we know from our experience that life can become a little lighter when we have friends and support to take away some of that crazy sting, as Linda Misencik and her family did for us for many years.

Together, we build more than memories—we build family!

Terri

Terri with Linda Misencik