Martha and George Coleman
Larry Varnes
At our Kiwanis meeting on March 22, George and Martha Coleman shared their stirring story about their grandson, Bennett, and his journey with cancer and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Their story focused on the wonderful care afforded children with devastating diseases at no charge from St. Jude.
Using their tragic story, they weaved a larger picture of hope, care and positive attitude. While Bennett ultimately lost his battle, it was not without heroic efforts of the doctors, nurses and staff of St. Jude.
When St. Jude opened its doors in 1962, only 20% of children survived cancer, and only 4% of children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) won their fight. The research and treatment developed by St. Jude have helped push childhood cancer survival to 80% and the survival rate for leukemia (ALL) to 94%. The effort will continue until the disease can be eradicated. As Danny Thomas, the Founder of St. Jude once said, “No child should die in the dawn of life. Someday, God willing, we are going to beat all the odds and make childhood cancer a thing of the past.”
All of St. Jude’s work is funded primarily through individual donations. The Colemans are sponsoring Bennett’s Bash, a gala benefiting St Jude Children’s Research Hospital on May 7. If you would like more information on this event or how you can donate, just stop by a Kiwanis meeting on either the first or third Friday of the month in the Bandera Room of the clubhouse. Socializing begins at 8:30 a.m. Just ask for our president, Carol Rauhauser.
The presentation on St Jude’s is but one example of the uplifting programs scheduled before the Kiwanis Club of Robson Ranch. If you like to serve, particularly youth, come check us out. We do a lot of good work and have a great time doing it.