We are Uniting for the Cure!!

(Jonas 5 months old)

So as you all know, Jonas was diagnosed with SMA Type I when he was only 6 weeks old. That day, all hope of him living a long healthy life was instantly taken away from us. Recently, there has been groundbreaking news on a very promising treatment/cure for SMA! Researchers are in need of funding to get the treatment FDA approved so the clinical trials can begin January of 2010.

Our friends in California, The Strongs, created a group called Unite for the Cure. The purpose of this group is to have families that have been affected by SMA, unite together and raise $5,000 each by the end of November to go toward this treatment, and we have decided to unite with them! I have always been awed by the time and energy that this family dedicates to SMA and this is a small way that I can be apart of that.

This is amazing news because it could be a potential cure....imagine Jonas eating, talking, walking and breathing without the help of his bi-pap!!! Frankly, the very thought of this causes a difficult emotion to describe because I've given up on that reality. I had to. To make it through each day, to watch him struggle just to breath, to know that one day he would leave this earthly life and be waiting for me in heaven. That is my reality and I had to accept that and live with it for almost two years now. But now to be given an inkling of hope, well it's hard to let in.

Despite these feelings, I think our goal of raising $5,000 is attainable, but we need help. I've said it before, I am not one to ask for help…especially for money, we have so many family members and friends who have asked what they can do. So, if this is something you feel like you can/will support, please use the ‘Unite for the Cure’ button* and forward this on to those you feel would be interested in this cause.

We love, love you all! This is something that is dear to our hearts and we are eternally grateful to friends and family for everything, even prayers in your heart that this is something that will work out.

* To donate, please click on the "Unite for the cure" button on the side and then click the "Donate Now" Button. Read Instructions on that page and then click the "Click to Donate Now" Button. Make sure to put Jonas' name in the message box so that we can keep track of our goal.