Of Lost Causes Found

St. Jude Hospital was named after the patron saint of lost causes, because in many cases, children and their parents are turned away from treatment and hospitalization with little hope for recovery. Why? Sometimes insurance doesn't cover what it should. Often docs do not see their patients beyond the statistics. Because numbers don't lie. Because the outlook is not good. Sometimes a family cannot afford proper care and at St. Jude none of that matters. Its doors are open to everyone-- A Mecca of hope and optimism.


Enter the beautiful and wise-beyond-her-years, Scarlett. She's 19-years-old and spent the majority of her teenage years living in the Cancer ward at St. Jude Hospital. For the past five years Scarlett has battled Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

We almost lost Scar several months ago. Her counts were terribly low and her cancer was getting worse. An aggressive chemotherapy helped. And then she relapsed again. More radiation. More chemo. But faith is a superhuman power. Hope is a prerequisite for those will illness and their families. The Doctors at St. Jude understand that. They are sensitive and kind and helpful. They look beyond statistics. They hold hands. They believe.

Today Scarlett is kicking ass. She's in remission. Her hair is growing back. She is one of the finest examples of strength and grace. She has for the past year been one of the lights of my life. An inspiration. A fucking rock star. One of the most beautiful souls I have ever known. Certainly, the silliest:



For Christmas/Hanukkah this year, Scarlett made me a keepsake box and filled it with snow. It was the artificial kind, the stuff that doesn't melt so I could have snow year round. Because she knew. One of the finest gifts I have ever received from one of the greatest friends I have ever had.


On behalf of Scarlett and the amazing doctors and children at St. Jude Hospital, I am asking you, if it's possible, to donate what you can to an amazing place. A true lifesaver. If you prefer, you can do some last minute shopping at the St. Jude gift store, where all proceeds go to children like Scarlett, bringing light and hope to families year round.

Because everyone deserves a second chance. And a third. Because people like Scarlett need to walk among us in the flesh, surviving and thriving and making the world a more livable place. A more lovable place.

Donate money to St. Jude today, for my good friend, Scarlett and for all of the children on the road to recovery.

...And for all lost causes, found.

GGC