Last year’s inaugural Training Wheels bike ride raised over $65,000 to support families touched by pediatric cancer. As the 2011 ride approaches, I’d like to take a moment and share some of the ways Magic Bean helps children and their families cope with the physical and emotional effects of childhood cancer (and this is all in addition to money steered toward groundbreaking research in neuroblastoma treatment):

Ongoing Financial Support of Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine: A camp for gravely ill children and their families that also offers bereavement support.

Family Aid: Imagine having to choose paying medical bills over having hot water – that’s what was happening to a single mom of three until Magic Bean stepped in and helped with the purchase of a new water heater.

New Programs in Alternative Therapies: Reiki, acupuncture, acupressure, massage and EFT therapies are available to kids in treatment – in their homes, on their schedules and at no cost – thanks to Magic Bean.

Short Cuts and Sweet Dreams: One of the most difficult times in a child’s treatment is when their hair begins to fall out – Short Cuts is a haircut program aimed at making this time a little less traumatic. Similarly, Sweet Dreams is a program that purchases festive sheets to help brighten a child’s inpatient stay, making the hospital room feel more like home.

I hope you’ll agree that the work Magic Bean does is incredibly meaningful in that it helps the patients of today and tomorrow while also aiding families that are dealing with loss. It’s because of this full-spectrum orientation that we wholly support Magic Bean in memory of Cian. If you are able to help further the mission of Magic Bean, please consider a donation to my ride this year.

Thanks again for your support through the years, it means so much.