Birthday Blood Drive....

"A Princess is never late...

Everyone else is simply early...."

~Princess Diaries~

Heather loved Barbies and princesses. Heather had many birthday parties that were Belle when she was younger. For her 21st birthday she spent it with all the princesses at Disneyland. When I began looking for a cake for her birthday this year I was torn between 2-a Barbie and one that had 3 princesses on it. I had a vote and everyone went with the princess cake. I asked the family what they thought and Jenn had something very interesting to say on the subject. The theme for Heather's graduation was Barbie. The colors were pink, black and ivory and the flowers were roses. It was a stunning party. Jenn said that ever since the graduation party Heather had wanted a Barbie birthday cake. So this year she got her Barbie birthday cake; pink with roses as well.

 Friday, Heather's actual birthday was busy. I am thinking that keeping busy is the way to pass the day. Not that I ever ever will forget, but if I sit for a moment the thoughts and memories creep in and the extreme sadness can take over very quickly. We went to lunch at YC's Mongolian Grill. It is a build your own dish place. Heather loved to eat there. Then the afternoon was spent getting the cakes and last minute things done for the blood drive. There was quite a bit of stress as the beautiful Barbie cake began to fall apart once I got it home. For the rest of the day as I walked into the kitchen more and more repairs had to be done. Then it began to lean. I know Heather was rolling on the floor of heaven laughing at this most frustrating cake.

 Before I knew it the day was over. I had survived Heather's 2nd birthday of her being gone. Really?.. only the 2nd one? Are you kidding  me? It feels like forever. Birthdays for mom's are very special days. It is the day that you bring your baby into the world. It brings a huge amount of joy to the family, church and friends. As time goes on there are parties and memories that mark each year that goes by. Suddenly, it is all gone. She is not her. Just simply gone. The thing about it is that God knew all along that Heather was only going to be here for a short amount of time. His plan was for her to live 21 years, 4 months, 9 days and 22 hours. That was it. I would not change having one moment with Heather. I never regret her being born, living and even her death. I hate that she died, not that she lived.

Saturday's Birthday Blood drive was a HUGE success. We made appointments for the entire day and everyone showed up. The goal that United Blood Services set was to get 19 booked and successfully collect blood from 14 people. WELL....we had 19 successful blood collections with at least 3 of them being double red cell donors. We had 9 first time donors and had 7 who tried but were unsuccessful for a variety of reasons. Are U Pink? made 112% of goal and gave the hospitals in the area over 57 units of blood products to save lives this holiday season. WOW!!!!

We arrived at Az Mills Mall, began getting set up and cutting cake. We brought water to help hydrate people before they gave blood. There were 4 balloon bouquets for people to sign and write messages to Heather. The day was a day of telling lots of people about Heather, leukemia, stem cell transplants and blood donations. Several people were very interested in her story. One of the donors was the tech that had recently done my mammogram. She actually reached her gallon total of blood that she has donated. This was a huge boost for me that she came. I had never met her till 3 weeks ago. The last donor of the day signed up online and had no idea it was a party for Heather. His family is doing 10 community service projects this holiday season. He likes to give blood and he signed up. Many of Heather's friends came out to support us and give blood. It was so great to see her friends giving back. We had very very dear friends come by and support us. Not being able to give blood they still made the effort to come and be there. It was great to see everyone come out on such a very special day and event. At the end of the day we released the 23 balloons. It was quite a site to behold. It was so moving to see the balloons raising and "reaching" heaven. This will be a tradition every year.

 The evening was dinner at Chipotle. Yes we had chips. Once we returned home I realized how absolutely exhausted emotionally and physically I was. It was the best day ever. I felt that Heather was there and basking in all the glory that was hers to enjoy. Once the day was over, the reality that Heather is gone hit and hit hard. It was a feeling of extreme sadness and emptiness. It was the realization that many that we thought we could depend on for support decided again to erase Heather from theirs lives. I am truly saddened by the fact that they missed sharing such a monumental event in our lives. This was Are U Pink?'s first event and it was a success...not just a little one, but a huge success. The non-profit that I have created is doing good in Heather's memory for the community. WOW!! how many can say they are doing the same? So, it was a sadness that the same people who have for months left us alone, not mentioned Heather's name again, have missed out on something so incredibility special. 

This is to announce that United Blood Services and Are U Pink? will be hosting the 2nd Annual Birthday Blood Drive on Saturday, December 10, 2011. Yes, we have booked for Heather's actual birthday next year. United Blood Services actually called me to ask if we would do it again and they would make it huge. They are bringing the big bus and we have 50 appointments to fill. The goal is to collect from 28 people. This is an extreme honor to be giving such a huge amount of time and space. United Blood Services has seen that Are U Pink? can deliver the big numbers. This is a a great deal of pride and joy for me. My organization works.....Next year will be cake and balloons again. Looking to add a name drawing for prizes and possibly a band to come entertain during the afternoon. The first place for me to begin is to work on getting my 501c3-tax exempt status. This is require a tax accountant or an attorney. If you know of such a person who would like to help Are U Pink?..please let me know.....

Some thoughts on Birthdays and the holidays: 

Holidays will just never be the same for a parent who has a child residing in Heaven. New Year's rings in and you wish more than anything your child had lived to see another year. Easter approaches and you long for a MIRACLE to have occured and you would have had your daughter back on day three. Thanksgiving comes around again and you wish you were as thankful as others whom sit down to a meal with all of their children, grandchildren present and accounted for. "The Birthday" comes along and a day that you have celebrated and planned parties for over and over is suddenly ended with no warning.  And Christmas decorations, commercials and music are everywhere you go and you can't help but to long more so for that child than any other time of year.