You can make a difference

If you are a regular follower of this blog, you will already know that we live in a very giving community. About a year ago, I posted an article of a local barber that donated a large portion of his daily income to a young Springboro High School football player and student that he had never met. That student was battling for his life after being diagnosed with cancer.

Mark Thompson of Springboro Barber donated almost $3,000 to Mac Reese, then 17 years old. Here is a link to that article. CLICK HERE. Mr. Thompson was able to help a local family during their time of need. This was only one grateful contribution from the community, family and friends. Now,  Reese’s mother is giving back to the community that was so giving to her.

Colleen Reese has built a team that will be collecting donations for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Man and Women Campaign. She is seeking donations to help her win the 2018 Woman of the Year, with the most in donations collected during the months of March – May.

“We are halfway to the cure,” Colleen said.

Colleen’s son, Mac was diagnosed with AML Leukemia on September 7, 2016. “He had just begun his senior year and was a football player for the Springboro High School,” she said. “He went from playing football with his teammates to fighting for his life in a hospital bed. It was unimaginable to watch your young, seemingly healthy son, facing losing his life.”

The family was so focused on getting the best care for their son, that they didn’t expect the community support that surrounded them. His school, football family and community rallied around him and were there cheering “#macstrong” and spreading orange ribbons throughout the community.

Mac missed out on a lot of his senior year, going through things that even adults won’t want to endure. He missed his homecoming, prom and going on an anticipated Spring vacation trip with his friends. Instead, he was in a hospital enduring 4 rounds of chemotherapy and eventually a stem cell transplant. But, his struggles didn’t go without seeing his strength as he went into remission. That was a year ago. It’s the goal to be clean for two years.

Mac was able to graduate from Springboro High School with his class in the spring of 2017. “Without research and the current treatment methods, I’m positive my son won’t be alive today. And it’s getting better and better each day,” she said.

Now, Mac is able to enjoy life and even plan for a future.

“It’s my passion to raise money for blood cancer and other cancers as it affected everyone of us. The only weapon we have in saving lives are dollars and donations to provide the research needed to beat cancer,” she said.

Colleen is very determined to hit her goal, but is falling behind – so she is hoping the community that supported her son will also support her cause. The donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society have tax deductible benefits and will help more young people who suffer from this deadly disease.

NO ONE EVER WANTS TO HEAR THE WORDS- “You have cancer”. But, if you do, you want a cure to be on the table.

“With your help through funding, we can provide research for new therapies and clinical trials which continually improve the standard of care for blood cancer patients,” Colleen Reese said. “Over 40% of the drugs that are developed are being used in other cancer therapies; including breast, lung, kidney, pancreas, brain, colon, sarcoma and melanoma. Even if you aren’t directly impacted by someone with blood cancer, I’m sure you have experienced another form of cancer with a loved one or friend.”

To donate to Colleen and Mac’s cause, please visit http://pages.mwoy.org/soh/dayton18/creese to make a contribution, or, if preferred, mail a check directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at 4370 Glendale Milford Rd, Blue Ash, OH 45242 with Colleen Reese’s name in the memo line.

#givingback
#Macstrong