Today was an amazing day! Olivia Lives Foundation hosted a day at Clearwater Yacht Club for 20 children that have been inflicted with cancer or blood diseases. They are all in remission right now which is a true blessing and it made me so glad to hear it. This is the second year that Olivia Lives has hosted this event for the children.
If you do not know what Olivia Lives is then please check out the website or facebook page. www.olivialives.com. The Ceraolo family (Olivias family), my family, and the Widger family decided to start Olivia Lives in honor of my dear friend Olivia who died of a rare form of cancer at such a young age. We want to help other children out in any way we can. Along with cancer patients we work with the local homeless shelters. We believe strongly in aiding our community and other people in need. We are all very fortunate to be healthy, so I feel it is important to give back.
The day started off with taking them out for a ride on the motorboats. I took a group of girls out, while my friend Jackie took the boys out on his boat. For some of them it was the first time they were ever on a boat. I let all of the girls drive which they all enjoyed. Some went in a straight line and fast while others did so many circles that they made the others feel dizzy.
When we came back in it was lunch time so we all sat around and talked. This was where I learned how strong they all were. They were very open about their cancer stories. They all endured the most aggressive chemio and radiation therapies. It was so sad to hear about their struggles, but they were all so strong. They fought so hard. One girl I met was told that she was going to die four different times by her doctor and now she is in remission! It made me so grateful for my health and motivated me even more to want to help others. I respect the kids I met today and would love to one day be as great as a role model to others as they are to me.
After lunch we went fishing and swimming. Fishing was a blast because angler Zach was helping everyone to catch a fish. It was soo cool!!! We took more photos and then everyone headed home.
No matter what you do or where you live everyone can help. You can start by helping us with Olivia Lives or doing small things in your own community. Please check out our website or you can even write me. I am currently donating 10% of my bonuses to the National Sarcoma Foundation. If you would like to help then please let me know.
I have posted photos onto my facebook Paige Railey 2012 site...Please check them out.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.167994969933817.46547.134272439972737
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