Day in and day out, members of Team Endure to Cure have made a choice to push themselves beyond their perceived limitations to reach the finish line of endurance events of all kinds.  They never ask why they are doing what they do because they know why.

Day in and day out, children are diagnosed with cancer or going through harsh treatments. They are forced to push themselves beyond their limitations simply to survive.  When they are going through cancer treatments, their finish line may never seem like it is near. They probably do not understand why cancer happened to them, or why their sense of “normal” has changed from playtime with friends to hospital treatments with doctors.

Part of our mission at Endure to Cure is to help children bridge this scary abyss by providing them with Small Miracles. Gracious supporters combine with the efforts of our Team Endure to Cure members to help these children endure their treatments with a little more vigor and energy by fulfilling some of their simplest requests.  These Small Miracles often give hope for a cure which results in huge emotional boosts during harsh cancer treatment.

Our most recent Small Miracle went to Nevaeh, who is currently fighting brain cancer. Nevaeh was originally diagnosed in 2011 just after her 4th birthday. While she was operated on successfully at the time, the cancer recurred and this time has spread to her spine.  Despite the frustration, Nevaeh remains strong and hopeful that if she keeps fighting, she will reach a cure.

Since her mother says she is happiest when she is playing with her American Girl dolls with her friends, Endure to Cure took Nevaeh’s mother’s idea and ran with it–to throw her the ultimate surprise birthday party: a trip to the American Girl store.  On the morning of her 5th birthday, Nevaeh was greeted outside her home by a limousine driver who was there to take her and her parents, her two cousins, and her best friend to American Girl.  Once they arrived, Nevaeh was welcomed to American Girl by Jane, a personal shopper at American Girl, who helped Nevaeh pick out a doll and some accessories.

Jane happily reported to us that Nevaeh was excited, energetic, and was happy to look around the store before making her decision.  After the personal shopping experience, Nevaeh enjoyed a surprise birthday lunch with her family and her friend.

Nevah’s mother, Tessa, summed up the experience: “WE HAD A BLAST! It was a perfect birthday for Nevaeh! Jane and the rest of American Girl employees were great. Nevaeh didn’t stop playing with her stuff until I put it away and made her go to bed.  Thank you for making this one of the most special days for Nevaeh and our family.”

This Small Miracle was made possible by the effort of Trinity Cho, our Team Endure to Cure member who raised funds and successfully ran her first marathon.  Thank you to all of our selfless donors and sponsors who support our cause to make our mission possible.  We also would like to thank American Girl and Total Luxury Limousine who contributed services to make this Small Miracle possible.  If you are interested in becoming somebody’s hero today, click here to learn more!