It is true that this world is full of suffering, disease and pain – but mingled in the midst of the darkness are points of light which shine very brightly. Kristen is one of these lights. In order to raise money for children with cancer, Kristen will be shaving her head on March 20, 2010. In this ‘Appearance is Everything’ culture where women spend *billions* on beauty products, this courageous lady will shear her locks to help raise money to save a child. Read her story and then make a donation – even $1 will help fund the research to save the lives of thousands of little ones who are battling this deadly disease. ~Dee

In Kristen’s own words…

I can’t imagine watching one of my four children dying. Even worse, I can’t imagine watching them suffer before they passed away.

I can’t fathom watching one of my sons or daughters lying in a bed…unable to move…spitting up blood and screaming in pain. I don’t think any parent can .  Read more...

My name is Jake Hytken, I am 18 years old, and I have a story to tell. I was born with an undiagnosable form of Muscular Dystrophy and the doctors were in the dark about what to expect.

In addition to MD, I also have Gaucher’s Disease, a Jewish genetically inherited disease that my brother has as well.

I always thought my medical condition through my eyes was relatively easy to handle during my earlier years. I was weak, walked with a wobble, and was exhausted by the end of the day.

I could not run, climb or play with my friends on a baseball team, or any sports teams at all, much less, go to sleep away camp.

I didn’t understand what the big deal was and why my mom wouldn’t let me go. I thought I was ‘normal.” A young kid only sees things as black and white, and I was oblivious to the shades of grey that were the reality of my illness.  Read more...

The Smiles for Healing Project is one of Healing Our World Net’s own initiatives with the simple mission of bringing people of all ages, races, creeds and lifestyles a smile to brighten their day, lift their spirits and promote peace, compassion and kindness in our world.

It may not seem like much, but a smile CAN make a difference in someone’s day and even in someone’s life. As Mother Teresa so eloquently stated: Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do. Peace begins with a smile.

Read the rest here: Smiles for Healing Project! | Healing Our World Net.

Spirit Jump is a grassroots non-profit organization with a mission to provide hope and comfort to the many men, women and children battling cancer. Spirit Jump accomplishes this by providing uplifting cards and inspirational gifts during this most difficult time. Visit our website (www.spiritjump.org) to read ALL the Jumpee stories. You can request an address anytime by emailing volunteer@spiritjump.com with the name of the person you want to send a Spirit Jump to.

Bob Needs A Spirit Jump

Bob, 74, is an artist retired from ATT. His book, Star Walker, was dedicated to his youngest son Mark who died in 2004 at 36. Mark had battled schitzophrenia since 19. We began Bob’s move to Fairhope, AL Mother’s Day weekend, 2008 then returned to Atlanta where I lived.

8/3/8 I took Bob to the ER saying something was horribly wrong, Bob was lost while driving. We spent an hour with a neurologist, CT scan completed; “depression/anxiety, go home”. We did, then drove back to AL 8/6…Bob became worse; we saw a young doc who did an MRI: dual lobe brain cancer.  Read more...