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Lauren Waldman Lauren is currently a freshman at Mainland
Regional High School and won 1st place for her essay in the 3rd Annual
"It's Always Something" Teen Writing Contest. Here is Lauren's essay... The Red Stuffed Bear I
was four years old and just coming home from preschool at the JCC. My
mom and dad were talking at the dining room table facing each other. My
mom had her hands folded neatly in her lap and my father had his hand on his
forehead and elbow plummeted into the table. I was four years old and
my mom had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. "Hi mommy, Hi
daddy," I said, my words cutting through the dense air like my dad's
razor. They looked up slowly, as their solemn looks turned into fake
smiles. My
mom left for the hospital one day and I felt awkward about the
situation. My routine life was changing and I wasn't happy about
it. When my dad took a Polaroid picture of me and my mom before she
left, I didn't even smile for the camera when my dad said, "Say
Cheese!" Visiting my mom in the hospital was when it struck me
that something wasn't right. As I skipped around the waiting room of
Jefferson Hospital, I noticed myself feeing lost in a world of people who all
looked like normal people, but I could tell they were all empty on the
inside. All of the faces of the people in the hospital cafeteria struck
me the most; they all looked like they were missing a part of themselves,
which made me feel like I was missing something too. Days before my mom was
returning home from her stay at the hospital, my dad took my sister and me
out to get a big comfy chair for my mother to stay in while she recovered
from a double mastectomy. We also got her a bright red stuffed bear to
keep her company while my dad worked and my sister and I were in
school. I was constantly in my parent's room offering to go and get my
mom the Soap Opera Digest or anything she might have needed. When I got
home from school, bouncing up the stairs was the first thing I would
do. I sat with her on the footrest of the new big chair while my mom
ate, watched TV, or just talked to me. She would always remind me of
how strong I was and how much she appreciated everything I did for her.
Giving $10 has never
been easier! Just text message “Gilda” from your cellular phone
to the # 85944. You will then receive a message asking you to confirm
your donation. Reply to the message with the word “Yes” and your
donation is complete. That’s it! $10 will be charged to your
monthly phone bill. Standard text messaging rates apply. Your
donation goes directly to Gilda’s Club South Jersey to help ensure cancer
support for the whole family, the whole time. Thank You! |
New Member Meetings
Call (609) 926-2699 to register.
Noogieland
Super Saturdays - twice a month Sponsored by Atlantic Medical Imaging
“Camp Sparkle!” Monday, June 28 through
Thursday, July 1 Camp Sparkle
will be four action packed days! Snacks & refreshments too! Contact Lori Stranges, Noogieland Manager, (609) 926-2699 or lori@gildasclubsouthjersey.org to register or for more information. Program Highlights Registration required – Call (609) 926-2699 to register! Advocacy Networking Group Wednesday, June 2 6:30-8 pm Monthly group for members who are interested in advocating for cancer-related issues. Gilda’s Gladiators - Back Bay Paddle Saturday, June 5 & Sunday, June 13 9 am - paddle Viking Rowing Club, Ventnor
Gilda’s Teen Club For teens touched by cancer in any way. Monday, June 7
Dinner is included. To sign up or for more information, contact Nicole Milan Tyner, Teen Program Manager - nicole@gildasclubsouthjersey.org or (609) 926-2699.
Prostate Cancer Group Tuesday, June 8 Breast Cancer Event Wednesday, June 9 5-6 pm- Supper & Social with Inga Robbins, MD, Atlantic Cardiology Learn ways to avoid cardiac disease & information for
people with cancer working to lower their risk for reoccurrence.
Attention breast
cancer members & friends: |
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