It’s a Good Thing–Stink Bug
There is nothing major going on, but I haven’t been feeling very connected lately. I wish it was easier to snap out of it. I snapped at a man who was doing the right thing yesterday. No matter how much it hurt me, he didn’t deserve it…I did apologize! I snapped again this morning at a man who totally deserved it, I am considering writing a letter…jerk.
I don’t want to whine any more than I already have, but I do want to briefly shine a spotlight on a sweet charity that was highlighted on the news the other day.
This little girl, Allison Winn, and her story rocked me!
At the moment the video on the news site is playing oddly for me, but audio is working and tells the story very well. Here is the link: 9-Year-Old’s Dog Biscuits Raising Money to Buy Dogs for Kids
From the 7 News article:
Winn was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. Recovery was miserable until Coco the dog came into her life. ”The dog instantly bonded with Allison,” said Dianna Litvak, Allison’s mother. “In the process, we realized that the dog was making Allison feel better.”
One day, Winn decided she was going to make dog biscuits. She wanted to sell them to raise money for another child to get a dog. From that idea came Project Stink Bug, named after what Winn called her chemo treatments.
Winn sold the homemade dog biscuits in her front yard all summer long. Word spread. ”People are so generous,” Litvak said. “One guy rode by on his bike and gave her a hundred dollar bill.” Soon Winn had enough money for two dogs. That’s when Winn’s idea moved to the state prison system. Why the state prison? Because the state of Colorado has the prison-trained K-9 companion program where inmates train rescue dogs.
“We have a reason to wake up every day,” said inmate Terrina Flora-Alexander. “We have a reason to do something positive.”
From Allison’s Stink Bug web site:
Allison is a nine-year-old who was diagnosed with a brain tumor which was successfully removed in its entirety on April 6, 2007. The brain tumor, a highly malignant medullablastoma, is very treatable and has a 80-90 percent survival rate in children. Allison endured six weeks of radiation and nine chemotherapy treatments that began on her seventh golden birthday (May 7, 2007) and ended in June 2008. In September 2008, after treatment was over, her family adopted a bichon frise, Coco, that had been rescued and trained by Colorado Correctional Industries Prison Trained K-9 Companion Program. Coco became an important member of the family and Allison realized that it would have been nice to have Coco when she was home recovering from her treatments.
Allison returned to school and Brownies with the renewed vigor of a survivor, determined to help other kids going through the pain and loneliness of cancer treatment. She conceived the Stink Bug Project in the summer of 2009 after she went to a camp at the Denver Dumb Friends League that emphasized the importance of caring for dogs and how dogs make humans feel better. She decided to bake homemade dog biscuits and lemonade and sold them to friends and family and at a table near her house through the summer. By the end of the summer, she had raised $1500. On October 20, 2009, Allison got her wish when Krysta, a two year old left partially blind by a brain tumor, became the first child to benefit from Allison’s Stink Bug Project. Now, supported by a network of family and friends, Colorado Correctional Industries K-9 Companion Program, area hospitals, and her school, Allison is continuing her efforts at baking dog biscuits and helping more families stricken with childhood cancer.
Allison drew a picture of a Stink Bug to represent chemo. In May 2009, when treatments were over, she declared “Bye Bye Stink Bug!”
A direct link to Allison’s web site: Stink Bug Project
I’ve been feeling the same way lately. I’m hoping it’s just the weather and lack of sunshine that’s making me this way. I am so looking forward to Spring for this very reason!
Love Allison’s story. Thanks for sharing it with us. I always wonder what the world would be like if it was filled with more people like Allison with loving and giving hearts.
Oh for frick sick! That is an incredible story. I’m hopping over to her website right now. What an amazing little girl. After the day I had with my crazy, apathetic kids, she is a breath of fresh air. Thanks for sharing.
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What a story–and what an adorable girl and dog.
.-= Jenn @ Juggling Life´s last blog ..Doing Stuff =-.
cute kitty! i can only enjoy cats in pictures. my hubby doesn’t like cats, and i think my dogs might eat one if they ad the chance
missed you!!!
have a great week.
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