The Baldwin Bulletin
Baldwin, Wisconsin - January, 2005
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Baldwin family appreciates support
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by TOM HAWLEY
Four-year-old Olivia of Baldwin, her mom Kelly, dad TJ and brother
Adam, 16, know that the "Make A Child Smile Organization" (MACS) is more
than just words. Olivia, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, or ALL, last April, which is in remission, was the featured child
on the website of the organization for January. And each day Olivia
receives a crate of mail with cards and gifts. Mail has been received from
all 50 states and even foreign countries such as Ireland and Sweden. Kelly
said describing the organization as "wonderful" doesn't do justice. Olivia
has "received hundreds of cards from people who don't even know her, but
care."
"They are lots of little things but they make a huge difference. If people
wonder when they put a stamp on a card whether it makes a difference, it
really does." Olivia's favorite gifts received through MACS are a toy camera
and "real" makeup. MACS is one more support system that Olivia's
family appreciate since Olivia was diagnosed with ALL last April. "We got
lots of help from Pastor Hanson and Peace members," said Kelly. "They said
'We're here. Lean on us.'" TJ added that the entire community has been supportive. "Out of a
bad situation, we've found a lot of good," said Kelly, adding that "it makes
it easier for us because her prognosis is so good."
Olivia is in pre-school
and her teachers, Mrs. Roland and Mrs. Johnson, have been supportive. Her
day care provider is Susie Mabis and when Olivia was first diagnosed "Susie
brought the day care kids to the hospital for a class and all the kids have
been wonderful," said Kelly, and haven't treated her different because of
what she's been through. Olivia says she wants to be on American Idol. Her
mother says Olivia is convinced that she would win.
Olivia's full story,
written by Kelly, is posted on the MACS website:
makeachildsmile.org. Kelly
wrote about how Olivia was diagnosed and how sick she had been. When the
diagnosis was finally made of ALL, Olivia's family were actually relieved,
because there was a suspicion that it may have been another type of cancer
that is not as treatable as ALL. Kelly concludes her story: "At the time of
Olivia's diagnosis we believed that life was never going to be OK again and
that Leukemia was going to ruin our lives and ruin Olivia's future and
chance for a normal life. We are so pleased to say that we were wrong. Life
is "normal" although normal now includes many medications and trips to the
oncologist (who we have come to love as a member of our family). Olivia is a
happy, well-adjusted, 'normal' little girl who has friends, goes to
preschool, gets in trouble, plays dress up, fights with her brother and just
happens to have Leukemia too. We realize how lucky we are!" We have learned
more from Leukemia than it has taken from us!! We appreciate each other and
the small things that life has to offer in a way that cannot be learned."
In addition to listing the children who are sick who appreciate mail, the
MACS website includes information about the organization. "Founded in May of
1998, by Alexandra Bakker, the Make A Child Smile Organization, also known
as MACS, has been a source of support to children with chronic or
life-threatening illnesses and their families. Emotional support is provided
by creating the opportunity for people to visit the MACS website and learn
about the children and their illnesses. "Each month, new children are
featured. A picture and biography describing the child and information about
their family is published on the website. Hundreds of 'net surfers, schools,
service organizations, Girls/Boys Scouts and church groups use the MACS website
as a philanthropic project where they can send cards, letters and small
gifts to the featured children and their siblings through postal mail. "In
December of 2000, MACS was granted tax-exempt status so that it could expand
it's mission to include fundraising efforts in order to provide financial
assistance to qualifying families for help with medical, funeral expenses or
other costs associated with the child's illness."
