We have "Kick Off"

Calling Team Anna

Many of you know, or have read in blogs and prayer requests about the physical trials that our sweet Anna Houston has been enduring.  At only 16 years old, Anna was diagnosed last fall with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).  CML is an uncommon type of cancer of the blood cells that rarely occurs in children, however, it does tend to progress more slowly than other forms of Leukemia. It was this trait that allowed the Drs the opportunity to try several different medications in order to attempt to stabilize Anna’s blood counts and control her cancer while attempting to wait for spring, and a better season to perform the Bone Marrow Transplant that will be needed to save her life.

The past few months have been a whirlwind rollercoaster and it seems that the pace continues to accelerate.  From the moment Anna was diagnosed, there have been blood tests, trips back and forth to Seattle for evaluations, meetings, and more tests.  Then there were tests to determine which of Anna’s siblings might be a perfect match to be a bone marrow donor.  All this while going through trials of two different medications which helped stabilize her blood counts, but caused crippling pain and side effects. Currently, the Drs have Anna trying a third medication in an attempt to stave off the bone marrow transplant until spring, when there are fewer illnesses, and a lesser chance for her to contract a serious illness when her immune system is shut down. The family is praying and asking for prayers for wisdom and for God’s perfect timing with the scheduling of the transplant.  But while we wait, and pray, we can also help them be ready to face the challenges that such a major medical procedure will bring.

When the time comes for Anna to undergo her bone marrow transplant, she will have to remain within 5 minutes of the Seattle Children’s Hospital for at least 100 days (any complications or setbacks would lengthen this time).  As many of you know, the Houston’s are a very close-knit family; their family motto is “Houston’s stick together!”  It is therefore the earnest desire of the entire family that they would be able to stay together during this entire time.  To do this, we all, as Team Anna, would like to come together and raise enough money for them to be able to “stick together”, as well as for them to be able to afford the extra medical costs that such a treatment will entail.

We can do this!

There have been many who have already reached out with prayers, letters, gifts, and even donations, and each one of you has touched their hearts.  As they prepare to go into this next whirlwind phase of Anna’s treatment, we ask that Team Anna prepares to be there with those same supports.  As our next endeavor, we are sponsoring an online auction to help raise some of the funds that will be needed.  By word of mouth, and some private messages, we are already beginning to gather items people are willing to donate to make this an amazing success.  But we would like to use this blog as our “Official Kickoff Announcement”.

So here goes!

On Friday, April 5^th, at 6pm, we will be going “live” with the Team Anna Online Auction!  The auction will last for only 7 days and close on Friday, April 12^th at 10pm.  We have some exciting items already donated, and we have some great promotions that should make this unique and fun, such as an “Item of the Day” that will only be available to bid on until 10 pm on Saturday March 9^th!  In addition, we will have a set number of a “Special Item” that can be immediately purchased.  

The time is quickly arriving, so we are asking for a few things from each of you.  If you have something that you can donate, if you have a business that provides a service and you are willing to donate time or products, or you are creative and you can “whip something up” to put in this auction, we would absolutely appreciate it.  If you are interested in donating something or helping in any way, please contact Malissa Farmer for details.  We are asking that all items be in by Friday, March 22^nd to allow time for us to prepare the online site.  But even if you can’t donate, please, we ask that you help spread the word! Share this blog on your Facebook page.  Share the link and information on your own blog.  Send the link to your family and friends.  Help us spread the word.

 

But above all else, please pray!  When we asked the Houston’s if there was anything they needed, they simply said “whatever the Lord provides”.  We know this is truly their heart, and that He can provide! 

Please pray that the Lord will provide for all their needs during this time.  Pray that Anna and the entire Houston family are able to stay healthy.  Pray for their physical, mental, and emotional strength.  Pray for wisdom for the Drs and the family in making decisions.  Pray that the surgery will provide complete healing and no complications or side effects for Anna or the donor.  Pray that God will use this trial to his glory!