MEGHAN'S MOUNTAIN

[JRSt...@aol.com]

Sunday, May 1 , 2011

 

                          MEGHAN STEINBERG IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE

                    MEGHAN'S MOUNTAIN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC.'S

                                         2010 DISTRIBUTIONS

 

  WE ARE LIGHTING MOUNTAINS LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN LIT BEFORE

 

                         2010 TOTAL AWARDS TO RECIPIENTS.....$111,304.48

 

   It has been my dream to touch the children and adults who are fighting to live against cancer. It's what I call "direct patient care". To make their journey easier and to let them know they do not climb their mountain alone. There is never enough money for all that is needed regardless of the size of the institution or hospital. That's where you and I step in. Thanks to your wonderful generosity last year we did indeed light many mountains. After expenses (the majority for our annual fundraiser) I am happy to list our distributions.

 

                UK HEALTHCARE...KY. CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.....$8,000.00

 

          This year we added the children from the Lexington and eastern parts of Ky. We provided therapy games ($325.00), MedKins ($1350.00), two computers ($2500.00), computer software games ($250.00), therapist books ($475.00), creative/art supplies ($100.00), expanded the Beads of Courage program to  include siblings of cancer patients (25 kits for $500.00), purchasing new child life materials developed for iPads($848.00), purchased a hematology bone (bone marrow teaching tool) that explains to child patients and their siblings about bone marrow and procedures ($200.00), isolation toys ($300.00), clinic camera ($150.00), misc. items for children ($234.00)

 

    SEATTLE CANCER CARE ALLIANCE (CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL)...$2,000.00

 

       All of the children on the oncology floor on Christmas Day received gifts, and we were able to supply the "toy box" with toys, so that when a child completes a treatment he or she can have a toy and hopefully forget the procedure they just undertook.

 

             CAMP QUALITY KY. AND INDIAN SUMMER CAMP.....$30,000.00

 

      Our funds ($15,000.00 to each camp) help support a free one week camp under supervision of doctor's, nurses, and trained staff so that "letting kids with cancer be kids again".

Camp Quality serves children mostly from the Louisville area and Indian Summer Camp serves children from the Lexington and Eastern Ky. areas.

 

              JAMES GRAHAM BROWN CANCER CENTER......$28,304.48

 

    Blanket warmer with mobile dolly ($5886.00), two wall mounted otoscopes ($1400.00), nine special made recliners for "all day" clinic rooms where patients receive treatment and their caregivers remain with them ($16,304.48), funds to be used for gas cards, cab rides and lodging for those who cannot afford such but whose needs must be met to receive treatment ($3000.00), pill boxes with 7 day/4 time slots to assist cancer patients in proper medication when home ($1410.00), digital thermometers to be given to patients to monitor body temperature while home ($305.00).

   My family and I also made a personal donation which allowed distribution of Valentine candy to each of the approx. 250 patients treated that day to let them know they are loved.

 

              KOSAIR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BROWNSBORO.....$10,000.00

 

    Our gift went toward the purchase of a Get Well TV....an interactive education television system that includes games and movies.

 

              KOSAIR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL (downtown)............$15,000.00

 

   Our donation will purchase  for the children and their families on the oncology floor fifteen (15) flat screen tv's for rolling game system carts ($300.00 each) and ten (10) Wii game systems on rolling carts with security attachments ($1000.00 each). The remaining funds will be used at the discretion of the child life specialists. This amount does not include our expenses for Valentine and Christmas presents (and Christmas dinner for oncology patients and their families) and monthly oncology dinners for patients and their families.

 

                               GILDA'S CLUB LOUISVILLE..........$18,000.00

 

    There is a need to give patients, caregivers and other family members long term help dealing with the emotional toll that fighting cancer produces. This is called PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). With a substantial gift made by another person, the combined funds will allow Gilda's Club, in collaboration with the James Graham Brown Cancer Center, to focus on the social and emotional response that might be necessary and to allow the Brown to focus on patient and doctor education and any medical response that might be necessary. This is something that has long been needed. ($15,000.00)

    From the moment I was diagnosed in January of 2005  I have always been open in talking about my climb to my mountaintop to be cancer free. The reason is I wanted to be a teaching lesson for those who did not understand the climb of a cancer patient. In August of last year I was once more diagnosed with cancer in the form of a leukemic tumor. For me this has been the most difficult of climbs, not only physically but emotionally as well. No matter how strong a person is or thinks they are, there is a time when you have difficulty handling a situation. I am no exception. I, like so many cancer patients, have been diagnosed with PTSD. It is easy to find great oncologists, and I have found mine. But finding answers to emotional toll is very hard. There are many people like me who feel alone. It has been recently recognized in all of the great institutions across this country that there is a lack of emotional support for cancer victims and their families. That is why it is so important that not only I, but all my brothers and sisters, find a way to deal with this. That is why I am having our foundation invest in this project...no one should ever climb their mountain alone, nor should any of us have to be alone without the support we need to remain strong and be able to continue our fight. I am only human, and so our my brothers and sisters who are fighting to live against this horrible disease called cancer. I want to make a difference for them, and I also need to make a difference for me.

   In addition we are sponsoring a weekend retreat for teen's fighting cancer to Red River Gorge. ($3000.00)

                                         

                                             

       It is our policy to keep sufficient funds on hand to prepare for our next year's fundraiser. Any funds remaining apply to that year's distributions.

 

       I cannot continue to light mountains without your love and support...please join me on June 11 at Louisville Athletic Club and July 29 (details to be announced very soon) for our two fundraisers. We brought smiles to so many children and adults....there are so many more we need to reach to let them know they do not climb their mountain alone...not today, not tomorrow, not ever ! Help me make 2011 a year for mountains to be lit with love, hope and belief.

 

       On behalf of myself ( I'm throwing you hugs and kisses), Hall of Fame Coach Denny Crum, and the hundreds of children and adults we serve.....GOD BLESS YOU AND BELIEVE. And God bless my "brothers and sisters" who are fighting to live against cancer.

 

       Meghan