At this moment, there is NO CURE – which is completely unacceptable! The thought that Sadie (and all her JRA buddies) will have to do this for the rest of their lives is inconceivable and heartbreaking!!

On May 5, 2012 we will be walking to raise awareness that Kids Get Arthritis too, to raise funds for a cure, and to help families living the JRA journey!

Buy us a virtual drink and help fund a cure!

Support Sadie and the 16,000 kids in Florida who live with juvenile arthritis by buying a virtual drink and joining the party!  Since we’re walking on Cinco de Mayo, it just seems fitting!

So, raise your glass and say SALUD!! (Did you know that this toast means “health”?)

THANK YOU from our family to you and yours! Your continued love and support mean the world!

Virtual Drink Menu:
Lemonade: $2
Red Stripe: $5
Margarita: $6
Shot of Petron Silver: $8
Round of Lemonade: $10
Six Pack of Modelo: $15
Bottle of Jose Cuervo: $20
Pitcher of Margaritas: $25
Case of Corona: $35
Round of Petron shots: $50
Keg of Dos Equis: $75
Bottle of Patron Silver: $100
Bottle of Tequila Ley .925 : $3.5 million

 You do NOT have to have a Paypal Account to donate! After you click “Donate”, look for link located to the left of the Login Box by the credit card logos.

Please note: All funds collected will be split between the Arthritis Foundation (to fund research for a cure) and High-5-Club (to provide assistance for families dealing with expenses of treatment)

THANK YOU!!!!!!

Marlie and Sarah at a UCF Knights game

At 1pm today, family and friends will gather to honor little Marlie Dodson.

For those who didn’t know Marlie but who have been inspired by her story, her courage, and her life, we have another way that you can honor her. Her mom, Sarah, is establishing the Marlie Dodson Scholarship at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, FL.

Marlie LOVED cheering for UCF Sports- especially football and basketball! According to her mom, Marlie talked a lot about going to UCF, being a cheerleader and becoming a nurse. Therefore, the scholarship will be open to student athletes and/or students wishing to enter the medical field.

Please consider donating toward the establishment of this scholarship. You can donate as little as $1 or as much as your heart leads you to give. ALL funds collected will be delivered to the UCF Foundation, inc. for the scholarship.

Note: You do NOT have to have a paypal account to donate. Simply click the link above and then click again to the left of the login box where it says “Use your credit card or bank account”.

If you prefer, you can mail a check directly to UCF Foundation, inc., 12424 Research Parkway, Suite 250, Orlando, FL 32826. Checks should be made payable to UCF Foundation, inc. Be sure to put “Marlie Dodson Scholarship” in the memo line.

Thank you for honoring Marlie and for helping us keep her memory alive! By the way, how is your Marlie Resolution coming along? It’s never too late to start Living Like Marlie!!

Sadie also had trouble standing and walking in the middle of the night whenever she woke to go potty. I would have to carry her. She was stiff and achy upon waking in the morning but as she moved around her joints would loosen up and she’d quit limping. Can’t tell you how many times I took her to the doctor but then when we got there she would walk fine. I should have video taped her!!

Parker and Sadie surrounded by the gifts they collected for the Peds Infusion Room at Shands Hospital

Both are Juvenile Arthritis Warriors determined to keep fighting AND help others along the way. To celebrate their August birthdays, they collected “boy prizes” for the treasure chest in the Pediatric Infusion Room at Shands UF Hospital where they both go for bi-monthly treatments. They had such a great time doing something to help other kids that they have been looking for a way to do more. (Plus, family and friends are always asking how they can help.)

Introducing Sadie and Parker’s High-Five Club!

Every month Sadie and Parker will ask club members for a “High-Five” –which is a donation from $.05 to $5. (You pick the amount and the form of the donation.) Sadie and Parker will use these donations to help other JA warriors (and their families) buy gas to get to their treatments and purchase food while they are there. Depending on how many high-fives they receive each month, Sadie and Parker will also help truly needy families buy groceries as well as help keep the treasure chest stocked for the kids in the Peds Infusion Room at Shands/UF Hospital. (The Peds Infusion Room treats approximately 100 children weekly.)

Most people don’t stop to consider that in addition to the physical and emotional demands, having a child with a chronic illness like Juvenile Arthritis can be EXTREMELY taxing financially. With only three treatment centers in Florida that have Pediatric Rheumatologists (Gainesville, Tampa and Miami) the financial demands of simply getting a child to treatment can break an already tight budget. For example, Sadie and Parker’s families each spend over $200 a month on gas getting them to their treatment and therapies. Factor in taking extra time off work, paying co-pays and annual deductibles, wear-and-tear on the vehicles and buying food while they are at the hospital and it all adds up very quickly.

THE GOOD NEWS is that YOU can be part of a wonderful solution! By giving Sadie and Parker a high-five each month, you not only encourage them to keep soldiering on, but YOU can help ease the burden for other JA warriors and let them know that they have love and support.

Here’s how to give Sadie and Parker a high-five:

1. Donate online by clicking the “Donate Now” button below.
2. Mail a donation to: Sadie & Parker’s High Five Club c/o BluFairy, inc. PO Box 621044, Oviedo, FL 32762
3. Donate a $5 gift card to be used by a patient or parent at Shands Hospital food court during treatments. Options: Chic-fil-a, Wendy’s, Subway, Panda Express, Salad Creations, TCBY, Hovan and Starbucks.
4. Donate gift card for gas or groceries.
5. Drop some change in a “High Five” donation bucket at a local business (locations to be announced).

We are so proud of all the JA Warriors and kids who battle chronic illnesses. They are truly our heroes!!

#1: Dark circles under your child’s eyes are not not merely a sign of poor sleeping. They can indicate allergies or auto-immune issues.

photo by Kristin Mizo Photography

If only there was something we could do for her and her strong-beyond-belief mom, Sarah. As our hearts are breaking, we struggle to find meaning and life lessons in their painful journey… how do we honor this little soul who is being taken home far too soon? What can we do to honor the courage with which Marlie and her mom have battled the cancer beast? What has little Marlie taught us?

Answer: To TRULY appreciate, value and live each day!

As we hit 2012, we are all making new year’s resolutions and goals regarding all the things we want to accomplish and achieve- make more money, get out of debt, lose weight, eat healthier, drink less, walk more, read more, sleep more… the list is endless.

It is a proven fact that most resolutions aren’t kept past the first few weeks… But we have one for you that will enrich your life and that you will WANT to keep all year!
It’s a Marlie Resolution.

The challenge: To do ONE thing EACH day to live with courage, gratitude and/or joy… just like Marlie!

How do you make a Marlie Resolution, you ask? By making your OWN commitment based on what matters most and what needs the most attention in YOUR life in 2012. It could be:

1. To spend 30 minutes with your child(ren) completely focused and unplugged EVERY day.
2. To cultivate a grateful heart by keeping a journal EVERY day. (listing 3 things each day that you are grateful for).
3. To do one thing that is courageous or joyful EVERY day.
4. To reach out to one person in your life EVERY day.
5. To perform a random act of kindness EVERY day.
6. To do something creative EVERY day (Marlie loved to paint!)
7. To volunteer, travel or spend time outdoors (all things Marlie loved to do as well).

Sounds easy right? The challenge is going to be in the commitment… on those days when EVERYTHING is going wrong, to consciously pause and find something to be grateful for and write it down… OR to do one thing every single day that takes courage- that causes you to step out of your comfort zone and battle your inner beast (from talking to a stranger in the grocery store to going to the dentist)… OR to commit to nurturing the relationships that are most important EVERY single day… OR committing to cultivate true joy in your life by giggling, singing, dancing, twirling (whatever gets you uninhibited and joyful) for a set amount of time EACH day… etc.

People are always saying “live each day like it’s your last day on earth”. Well, that’s not really realistic because if it truly WAS our last day on earth, we would hunker down with those who matter most and hold on for dear life until the bitter end.

Therefore, we challenge you to make a Marlie Resolution for 2012… to commit to doing ONE thing to “live like Marlie” EVERY day this year!

See below for our printable calendar that you can use to write your  Marlie Resolution at the top and then cross off every day that you do it.

Who’s in? What will YOU commit to do EVERY day this year to live with courage, joy and/or gratitude… just like Marlie? Please leave a comment below or on our Facebook page letting us know what you’re committing to so that we can cheer you on! We’ll also keep you posted on what WE are doing.

As you get started, be sure to pause and say a prayer for the beautiful Marlie and her incredible mom, Sarah…for less pain, for continued strength and for lasting peace.

Now, get out there and LIVE!!!

2012_marlie_resolution_calendar (click to download and print your calendar)

UPDATE: As shared by Sarah: “At 8:45pm on New Year’s Eve, sweet Marlie ran into the arms of Jesus… we were all with her. She was in no pain. Her departure was beautiful.” Rest in peace beautiful girl… may God hold your family close in His embrace.

Special THANKS also goes out to Kevin Acker and RE/Max 200 Realty for allowing us to use their army truck to make the deliveries.

Not only did we get the opportunity to help a bunch of kids have something to open on Christmas morning, but all of the children involved got something even bigger- the chance to be part of giving back… of reaching out and helping other kids who are less fortunate. Yes, we helped others, but I truly believe that the kids on the giving end received a much bigger gift- a chance to experience the joy of giving, a first-hand look at how others live and how blessed they truly are, and the proof and belief that they CAN make a difference even if they are just kids!

People are already asking how they can be a part of next years event… so stay tuned. We’re working out the details so that we can collect items throughout the year thus supporting our Birthday program and the next Recycled Christmas Event. Happy New Year to all!!

Here’s how it works: From now until Dec. 16, 2011 we will be collecting GENTLY used toys, clothes, books and healthy snacks for needy children. With the current economic situation we KNOW that our friends WANT to give but don’t have the extra finances that they have had in the past. Therefore, unlike most local agencies, we are going to collect new AND gently used items that will brighten a child’s Christmas. We will also accept wrapping paper and gift bags in good condition!

Next, we will be having a wrapping party on Sunday December 18th beginning at noon… so if you want to get your children involved further, we’d love to have you join us! (PLEASE RSVP to blufairy(at)bluedelivered.com to sign up and we will email the location to you.)

Lastly: Want your child involved in the experience of the actual delivery? Stay tuned because we will be announcing the details as soon as they are finalized.

Here are the guidelines:

Toys must be in good condition. (Make sure it’s something that you would put under the tree for your child.)
Toys should be cleaned and sanitized.
Toys need to be in working condition with ALL pieces. (Please bag it together if there are lots of pieces.)
If toys need batteries, please insert new batteries PLUS include one extra set.

Clothes and Shoes: Need to be CLEAN and in good condition. All sizes will be accepted (including adult sizes for the teens).

Healthy snacks: Many of these kids don’t eat much during the break because they rely on the free breakfast and lunch at school. So we would like to include foods that have sustenance- like granola bars, nuts, slim jims, dried fruit, cheese crackers, etc. If you want to include some holiday treats (cookies, candy canes and hot chocolate) that would be welcome as well.

One item, plus a little bit of time to clean and drop-off, is all it will take to experience the joy of the season.  Will you help?

Drop off locations:

*DONATE BUTTON WAS REMOVED AT END OF EVENT*

Thank you for helping!

How to get your children involved in giving this season!: MyFoxORLANDO.com

The look of pure joy on Eleanor’s face captures the moment perfectly… THANK YOU for helping make this birthday so very special for not only Eleanor, but her parents and grandparents as well.

A special thanks to Jennie and Dawn of Bellaza Spa and Salon in Knoxville, TN for volunteering to do Eleanor’s hair and make up- thus completing her transformation into “Princess Eleanor”.

We received this note from Ashleigh (Eleanor’s mom): To anyone and everyone who was involved with this in ANY way. THANK YOU so much! You just gave my baby the birthday we wanted to give her but couldn’t! This was SO amazing. We have already watched the video about 100 times and every nurse, pca and dr on this floor has watched it all too! This was such an amazing blessing and Eleanor said “This is the BEST day of my life” I even video taped her singing When you wish upon a star and at the end she said.. Momma my wish came TRUE! She was SO excited to see the princesses and the toys and the cards. This all made my mom and I both cry. Tears of happiness obviously! She is refusing to take off her ariel dress too! Saying Thank you will never actually share how extremely grateful I am to all of you. Thank you SO much for thinking about my baby and making her 5th birthday the best yet! I actually have goosebumps writing this because the lump in my throat and the tears threatening to flow again overwhelm me everytime I think about what you have done for her. It was more than a birthday gift, it was an amazing day. One that she and I will NEVER forget!