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Hey there Team Declan Full of Goodness!
Welcome to The Lemon Ride 2014! We are so happy to have each of you joining us this year, some for the first time and many for the third. THANK YOU for all that you do to support our family and support this important cause.
When Declan was just three and a half years old, he began experiencing headaches and vomiting. For more than two weeks, we were unsuccessful in finding the cause, and his symptoms continued to get worse. On February 6, 2011, Super Bowl Sunday, we took Declan to A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE. A CT scan showed that three of the four ventricles in Declan's brain were filled with spinal fluid. This is called Hydrocephalus. The CT scan was followed by an MRI of Declan's brain and spine, which showed that his central nervous system was covered in 'bright spots.'
After the first two of three brain surgeries needed to resolve the Hydrocephalus, and several 'second opinions' as to the nature of the tiny tumor that was taken from his brain and biopsied, we learned on Valentine's Day that Declan had a very rare form of childhood cancer. His diagnosis: Primary CNS Rhabdomyosarcoma.
Declan gave it all he had, and fought that 'Stupid Cancer!' with more grace and fierce bravery than we had ever seen. Even when talking about how even heroes have bad days, Declan's response was "Not me." And it's true: he lived each day of his four years, eight months, and eight days. Lived them as fiercely as any feisty redheaded child should. Declan DOMINATED his life.
One of Declan's favorite songs was 'Crazy Train' by Ozzy Osborne. There was something about that song that just resonated with him. He loved to hear it. It is loud, it is rock and roll. And, on the day we brought Declan home on Hospice Care, he asked us to play it, and play it, and play it again, for the entire 40 minute ride home from the hospital. It was only after Declan returned to heaven that we heard words in the song we hadn't heard before: "I'm living with something, that just isn't fair."
So when you think you can't take another minute in the saddle on Sunday, remember Declan's no bad days. Hear Ozzy's voice screaming in your ear. Get on that crazy train and continue to ride for Declan, all these kids, who are living with something that just isn't fair!
Thank you for joining us in this fight. We couldn't do it without each of you.
With gratitude,
Megan & Bill
Declan's, Brendan's, and Tommy's Mommy and Daddy