Fundraiser this weekend!

Luis didn't go for treatment this week. His neutrophil level (in simpler terms, his immunity) was not at the right level. It was slightly lower than it needed to be. This will give him one more chemo-free week before the ugly phase starts. The other benefit is that he won't have additional side effects this week and he can come to the fundraiser this Sunday, at least for a little while. He will have to wear a mask and wash his hands often. I am bringing sanitizer for our guests to also keep their germs to themselves.

If you're coming to the fundraiser, here are a few things to think about when you see you Luis:

• Don't mention the cancer.
• Don't call him 'brave'. Despite the name of this blog, he despises being called brave. I think it's because he associates trying to be brave with getting needles. He has told the nurse "I'm not brave" in an effort to get out of a needle. Didn't work. Maybe "Big Brave Boy" is a title we're still aspiring to.
• Don't cry in front of him. His pale skin, thinning hair, and face mask can be shocking if you haven't seen him in a while. He's a happy kid and will be running around with the rest of the kids. Take joy in that.
• Don't shower him with attention and praise. Just say 'Hi' and go from there. He loosely knows that we're having a 'party' for him, but doesn't really understand why. Last week, he asked me why everyone gives him toys. I tried to explain that people know that he is sick and want to make him feel better with gifts. It was the best explanation I could give.

The fundraiser is really coming together and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. Here are some highlights:

• Fire truck for the kids from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• Magician doing magic tricks in the crowd before dinner and will perform a show closer to dinner.
• FREE massages for our guests from local massage therapist students
• Live acoustic performance
• Belly dance performance
• A clown (tentative)
• Canadian Blood Services will be booking appointments for a week long blood drive done in Luis' honour.
• Raffle with over 50 amazing prizes, typically in the range of $75 to $150 each
• Silent auction for larger prizes, up to $1000
• Hand-crafted Wooden Riding Airplane for toddlers
• Custom Teeth Whitening System
• Autographed Gordie Howe jersey 
• Alexander Ovechkin Authentic NHL Game Jersey
• Jersey Autographed by Dennis Hull
• NHL Signed Sidney Crosby Print
• NHL Toronto Maple Leafs Octagon Scoreboard

You can see, the family has been hard at work pulling things together. A big thanks to them for working so hard!

Raffle prizes

NHL Octagon Scoreboard

Riding airplane for toddlers

NHL Signed Sidney Crosby Print