Amanda tells the story of how it all began......
Spring 2008 was just like any other season in my life, nothing to write
home about. That was until I met 4 year old Joshua Edmondson. With a hat on you
would never be able to tell that he is sick; he's spunky and loud and outgoing.
He's definitely good for a lot of laughs! Remove that hat and you notice that he
has an amazingly smooth, bald and beautiful head. When Joshua was two years old
he was diagnosed with a severe autoimmune disease that attacks his hair
follicles along with other parts of his body. Not long after that diagnosis, his
family was hit even harder with a worse diagnosis- a rare bone marrow disease
that effects one in one million children. There is no research or cure for this
disease. Joshua travels across the US in hopes of find better ways to manage his
pain that the disease causes. As he continues to grow, his doctors continue to
diagnose. Last year his doctors added Crohn's Disease and Blau Syndrome to his
ever changing list of set backs. You would think that through the endless tests,
surgeries, chemo infusions and steroid pulses that it would be impossible for
Joshua to find that gorgeous smile and contagious laugh of his...but I've found
the exact opposite to be true. Joshua laughs and he plays and he grows and he
just wants to be like every other little boy. The reality is that Joshua will
never have the chance to live a 'normal' life. From his courage, inspiration and
grace was born the Battle for a Cure Foundation.
You see, every time that Joshua is in the hospital he ends up on the
oncology floor because his body cannot tolerate the germs that the
other children bring in. It was on that floor at Dell Children's Hospital in
Austin, Texas that my life changed forever. Joshua is not the only bald little
boy with tubes and machines...the reality is that there are TOO many children
spending their childhoods on that hospital floor. The more research I did about
childhood cancer the sicker I became. "How", I thought, "can the world not be
doing MORE about this?!?" Looking at Joshua, looking at the little fighters, I
decided I had found my purpose in life. The purpose of the Battle for a Cure
Foundation is to send HOPE through gifts and love, and to find a CURE for
childhood cancer.
Little DannyRan Matthews received one of our first Hope Baskets (later changed to boxes).
The Battle for a Cure Foundation sends HOPE through Hope Boxes to children
fighting cancer and their siblings. A Hope Box contains toys and gifts to help
lift the spirits of the kids and families. This year (2011) we sent about 200 Hope
Boxes through our Christmas Hope Program to children fighting cancer all over
the U.S. as well as countless Hope Boxes through our Kimberly's Hope
Program.
In 2012, our new campaign called the CURE Movement will make it's way
across the US as a means to fund clinical trials in hopes of finding a CURE for
these amazing little kids. As our organization grows, it's very humbling for me
to stand back and witness the blessings that are being poured out over all of
our families and little fighters. You will never know true inspiration until you
have spent time with a child and a family that is fighting childhood cancer; you
appreciate every single breath, every single step, every single miracle, every
single laugh and smile...you embrace and appreciate all things in life, big and
small.
Little Danny and Amanda celebrating his end of treatment by releasing balloons.
When asked by a friend to give an original quote for her to use in a
presentation for her college class, this is what I sent in. I want to inspire
the younger generation to be world changers! You can do ANYTHING you set your
mind and heart to do!
"Each of us has a responsibility
given by God to love, care for and help our fellow man. Each of us holds within
us the strength, power and intelligence to make a difference in this world. You
cannot wait for others to do what you have been called to do. There’s no one
else like you; the world is waiting for the original. Step out each day, speak
up for what is right and leave your mark on this world; a stamp of love,
compassion and joy."
Through love and courage,
Amanda Harbin-Bartlett
Founder/President
Battle for a Cure Foundation
Our Sewing for a Cure project is also in full swing! We are taking donations of cotton fabric to be sewn into handmade quilts to auction off on our facebook page. Our goal is to raise the remaining money we need to file our 501(c)(3) paperwork. Each adult quilt will start at $100 and each child's quilt will start at $50. We hope to have the first group of ten up for auction before Valentine's Day. This deadline depends on how many fabric donations we receive over the next week. If you would like to donate fabric or have questions about this project please email Mariesha at 