IMPRESSIONS

Founder’s Letter
There have been many times throughout the year when I have taken a step back and looked in wonder at
the growth we have experienced in 2009. Every time I do, the first words that come to mind are, “Little
Teddy Bear.”
It gives me chills to think that all of this started, almost seven years ago, on the floor of my one-bedroom
apartment. I am forever grateful to each and every one of our supporters, volunteers, donors, directors
(present and past), office staff members, committee members, clinic staff and everyone who has ever been
involved with the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. It is because of their commitment, kindness and generosity
that we have grown as we have, and that we have been able to help the number of families we do.
Cancer does not just affect the child in treatment; it affects the entire family. This simple fact makes it an
honor to do what we do. The families we work with open their private lives to us, allowing us in. They are
scared and uncertain about the future of their child, yet they allow us to be part of their journey. Hopefully
we succeed in making it a little easier. The children continue to be my heroes. Their strength, determination
and will to fight are humbling, and through their eyes I can see at least a part of their world.
While I wholeheartedly love what I do, there are many times that I think cancer is not fair. No one knows
why children get cancer, and to explain it to a child who is struggling every day to understand… Well,
sometimes it’s just too much.
There are moments like the one I had on a recent morning that break my heart—yet at the same time light a
fire inside me. On this particular morning, I was talking with a family member (known as Auntie) of one of
our TBCF Kids. The child was first diagnosed in 2000 with Adrenal Cortical Sarcoma. Nine years later, she
is still fighting for her life. Every day is her own personal battle, and she has looked death in the face more
times than any adult ever has. Her doctors tease that she makes the old saying about a cat having “nine lives”
a mere glimpse in time. “She never cries, never complains or breaks down,” Auntie said. “In the last nine
years she has just fought.”
Recently however, reality became overwhelming. “I’m very angry,” the little girl said. “I keep asking God
what I did wrong to deserve this? Why me? Why won’t he help me?”
These are the words of a 14-year-old girl. Words that she should never have had to think, let alone say.
“I’m not scared anymore of dying,” she continued. “I’m scared of the cancer coming back. I just can’t take
anymore.”
To hear this and know that she is not alone, that many of the children with cancer who we meet feel and
think the same way… This cuts into my heart and soul in ways I cannot describe.
While stories like this validate what we do and why Teddy Bear was started, I constantly explore how we
can do more to help. To share her words with our supporters, and with people unfamiliar with Teddy Bear
to reach out to each and every person we can—I believe that together, there is nothing we can’t do to help.
Thank you for believing too.
Sincerely,
Nikki Katz
Founder/Program Director
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