Reiss: SLC Cure Search Walk- Team Reiss and Presley

Because I (Erin- Amber's sister... remember?) am telling Reiss's story from a distance (in Colorado) its sometimes impossible for me to accurately depict the events and happenings of Reiss's journey. I try really hard, but it's just not the same as if I was there. If you read Presley's blog, this post will be familiar. Thank you Alysa for letting me use your post to share about the SLC cure search walk. I wish SO BADLY that I could have been there to wear my Team Presley and Reiss t-shirt. I would have worn it so proudly for those sweet babies of mine.

What an incredible day Saturday was! My heart is still full. The air was filled with love, support and honor for our brave kids. I say "our" because once you become a cancer mom you are not just worried about your child surviving but each and every one of those cancer cuties! When the doctors first told us that Presley had cancer we didn't know if Presley would survive we were devastated and heart broken. After finding out the type of cancer she has and getting the results from the bone marrow aspirate they told us that Presley had a 95% cure rate, that number has become very important. We hold onto that number and it gives us hope that we will win this battle. Not all children are given that same number and far too many kids are relapsing. I will stand up and fight for them, these kids can't fight alone. Something that only a cancer mom or someone who has battled with it would understand. I don't want just Presley to survive, but I want all children to survive and live a full and happy life. Today during the walk Presley was given a champion medal in her fight against cancer.

Here are the brave children that have endured so much more than I would like to think. It was such an honor to walk in celebration of them all these cute kiddos.

There was a very touching ceremony where those who were walking in memory of a child who had lost their battle, they were given a white balloon to release in their honor. I also know too many kids who have lost this battle. As a parent I have felt and feared the reality of losing my own child. It was very hard to hold back the tears as I saw those angel balloons floating to heaven. We love angles!

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot

nothing is going to get better its not. I love this quote by Dr. Seuss!

Thank you so much for all that donated and came out to walk with Team Presley and Team Reiss with your support we raised over $106,000. I am so happy and proud to think we were the number one city raising the most money in over 10 years. We are $106,000 closer to a cure. 100% of proceeds raised at this walk will go to help find a cure for our cancer cuties. CureSearch also funds the children's oncology group who Presley is currently doing a clinical trial for. It makes me happy to be a part of that trial so that we can find a better treatment plan for the future kids who will battle this awful disease. I am sure you have heard me talk about the lack of funding and attention that childhood cancer gets. Today we all made a difference!

We love you Kristen (Presley's clinic nurse) and Danika (Home health nurse) was there too!

Thanks for all the love and support Team Presley & Reiss!

These are the reasons I walked:

To honor the strength and courage of these young fighters. To walk with other families faced with similar challenges and to remember those angels who have left us. I also walked to bring awareness of what our children go through, and last I walked to help move research forward.

40 years ago Presley's prognosis or chance of surviving would have been 10% I am forever grateful for those doctors, parents, nurses and kids who before us worked to find better treatments for Presley.

Overall in the last 40 years survival rate for kids with cancer has increased from 10% to 78%. We need 100%. I won't stop fighting for these kids.

Wear Gold, Bring Awareness, Fight for Funding, Do Something until we get to 100%!

Sorry for the picture overload!