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Mom’s Story:
I grew up believing that life is a journey. Until November 1, 2003, I also had the crazy belief that I was in charge of my particular journey. I had it pretty well planned out to or so I thought.
When my daughter Micah was diagnosed with leukemia at age 11, I realized that life is indeed a journey, but I am not always in control of where my journey goes. I also learned how to make the best of the journey my family now travels, and I learned that no journey is without what my husband Alan calls “bumps” or “craters.” 
Micah began her treatment the day she was diagnosed. She knew little about what the word cancer meant and the little that she did know frightened her. Quite frankly it frightened the entire family. I quickly forgot all that I had learned in nursing school. The day Micah started treatment, I hung my scrubs, closed the door, and simply functioned as her mom.
While we were fortunate that Micah responded well to treatment and went into remission, it has not always been smooth sailing. We had our share of “bumps” and “craters.” Guiding our journey and actually taking the helm at times has been the Tomorrow Fund. We had absolutely no knowledge of what this organization was or what they did. How blessed we are that they have been there for us...the daily stipends, the parking pass, the resources…all of it has been an enormous help.
I carry a bookmark in my wallet that says: “Some of the most beautiful stones have been tossed by the wind and washed by the water and polished to brilliance by life’s strongest storms.” I do not know where our journey will take us in the future. I do not know what storms we will battle. I do know that I have been taught how to gather the strength needed to face any journey. I have had wonderful teachers…my daughter Micah and The Tomorrow Fund.
Micah's Story:
Before November 1, 2003, the most important things to me were getting the best grades, being the most athletic, and being liked by everyone. My life was going exactly how I wanted it to. At least I thought it was. Then I woke up on a bright Saturday morning with the worst pain in the world. I had Leukemia.
 I felt as if my life was passing before me, and I was not able to do anything about it. I was so sick and so scared I thought I wouldn’t live. I didn’t know you could survive.
My primary oncologist told me about the long journey I was going to start that day and that I would be thrown off my own life path. My inpatient chemotherapy started immediately. My mom stayed with me in the hospital and my brother Ben and dad visited every night. When I got out of the hospital, I felt sick as a dog. Then my doctor told me about more chemo that I’d get The Tomorrow Fund Clinic. I couldn’t help thinking, “Ugh! There’s more?”
Well, that clinic was the total opposite of what I imagined. The Clinic was full of color, not just on the walls, but in the faces of the nurses, doctors, secretaries, medical aides, volunteers and others. There were arts and crafts and games to play. People were acting silly. I couldn’t help smiling even when I felt like garbage.
The chemo didn’t back off and the side effects were horrible. Every week there would be a trip to the Tomorrow Fund Clinic. I was sick of the chemo and the side effects, but the Clinic helped me be able to stand on my feet. They became not just a part of my life but a part of my family. Every time I am asked about the Tomorrow Fund, I can’t help smiling and saying “Without them, there would be no tomorrow!”
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We’ve been helping children with cancer for 20 years! 