What if this was your last...?

What if this was your last....

Easter? Or Spring? What if you were planning what may be your last family vacation?
Then again, what if this wasn't about you?

What if this was about your child?  ...kinda changes things, doesn't it?

This is a post I've attempted to write many times but haven't been able to see the screen well enough through teary eyes or seem to fail to get the words just right to honor my dear friend Crystal and her family during their fight to save the life of 13 yr. old Ariel; the girl with the lion heart. Unfortunately, time to 'perfect' this message is a luxury that I have no right to claim. So here is their story, in a raw, uncut, un-edited form.

I have an amazing friend named Crystal. She's known me since I was born. She and my sister were best friends growing up. Our dads worked together and our families were very close. However, I didn't meet her until I was 15. She took my "glamour" pics for a performance promotion. She's the only one that ever asked me after telling her my last name: "Is that spelled V E L L E N O W E T H?" Over time, I lost contact with her and was ecstatic to re-connect here on fb. 


I've followed very closely as Crystal has shared her daugter, Ari's story. Ariel is a vibrant, intellegent, and amazing kid- much like her identical twin sister, Elora.  In the beginning of this nightmare a few years ago, she was diagnosed with Rhabdosyosarcoma, cancer in the sinus cavity. Fortunately, she was able to fight this monster and the cancer eventually went into remission. It wasn't until earlier last year that the fear and realization that the cancer was back was confirmed.  And this time around, it struck with a ferocity that would debilitate any normal person with terror. But not this family. This family would give rhabdo a good fight back. Through chemo, staph & fungal infections, several surgeries, including a craniotomy, this family has shown an immeasurable inspiration for their will to fight for the life of this little girl. And although they haven't given up, doctors recently informed this beautiful family that Ari has just months, possibly weeks left. 


Just when you think things couldn't get any worst, yesterday they had a house fire. Yes, you read that right. Thanks to the heroic efforts Ian, the oldest of the kids, they are all safe. Displaced as the house is now uninhabitable, but safe. 


So why post this? Because there is something we can all do to help! Insurance has now become an issue and medicines that used to be covered are now being denied. Also, the family has been planning a vacation. Ariel has a wish, and that is to visit "Hogwarts" at Universal, Orlando. The money has already been raised for the trip but with the house fire and insurance looming in the background, can we continue to donate to the family? What would you do if this was someone you knew? And if you can't, can you at least share the following video with your friends? I'd love for them to go on their trip, come back home and be lavished in love and blessings from as many people as possible.

This is the original video asking for help with the trip to Univeral. 

                                                This is a video of yesterday's fire.

Here is the link that you can donate to: http://www.dgeypscun.com If you want to follow her story, you can find it here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ariel_gariano/journal

Thank you all so much. 
♥,
Sharon