Use What You Have

So often people ask me, "What do you need?" or "How can I help?" These are wonderfully thoughtful questions that can have quite tricky answers because it really depends on the day.

I will share a few thoughts and perhaps they will help you help someone else, or know how to answer the questions for yourself, one day.

Use what you have... or what you do.
What I mean is, if you cut hair for a living, offer to provide free hair cuts (not the fancy coloring or Brazilian blowouts) for the family while they walk through treatment. It's a small thing that has a BIG impact. We have been recipients of generosity just like this and it leaves us undone each time. We work to not take advantage of the generous offer, and it's nice to know it's available to us.

Are you an auto mechanic? Offer to service the family's main vehicle so that they can get to appointments without worry. Trips to and from the hospital or doctors appointments add wear and tear to an automobile... so, it would be nice if the family wouldn't have to take on the task of scheduling and paying for vehicular maintenance.

Are you someone who works with an MLM or a DS company? If you don't know what MLM or DS stands for, you're not one. *wink, wink* MLMs/ DSs are wonderful ways to raise funds for families in treatment! Depending on the type you work with, you could even bless the family with your very products. Ex: I work with doTERRA. I can either do a fundraiser to raise funds OR I can supply some oils (according to what the family desires) from my stock. When doing something like this, be sure to communicate your desire with the family and ascertain their needs/ desires. What you think they need may not be accurate.

Do you do landscaping or lawn manicuring for a living? Why not offer to cut the family's grass once a month? You could offer it for a set amount of time like six months or you could go so far as to commit for the entirety of treatment.

Do you do nails or give massages?  Why not offer these services to the family? Every girl needs a mani/ pedi once in awhile, especially while walking through a cancer journey (patient or caregiver). It's a small thing that most women will let fall by the wayside yet it can boost spirits more than you realize. I have been blessed by a generous friend who, for many months, would come to my house and do a massage twice a month. I miss those! It was a self-care item that too easily falls off the calendar when there are more pressing matters before you.

Are you a musician? Record some worship tunes and bless the family with your voice or instrument worshiping the Lord. It's different when it's someone close to you instead of the artist on the radio. Worship is powerful and healing!

Do you love to cook? Then cook! I'm not sure I know anyone who would refuse food they didn't have to make. Careful with this one, though. Make sure you are aware of any dietary limitations or preferences the family may have. The giving loses its power if you bake carb-loaded Italian for a family who is bound to strict ketogenic (sans carbs).

Do you like to grocery shop? I know these people exist. Offer to shop for the family... you might even be able to buy their groceries one trip. As with the cooking, make sure you get their list of items. I'm sure some would happily provide the money for their groceries if someone would just go grab them. Yes, I know you can shop online... but that takes the personal element right out of the equation. In truth, the delivery might be the only time they see a friendly face the whole day. Be that face.

Are you a handyperson? Like with tools and know-how. Ask if there is a task you could do for them so they can check something off their to-do list and grab a little more peace of mind. Patch a hole. Paint some trim. Replace a ceiling fan. You get the idea.

I cannot begin to tell you what a blessing it was that while we were still inpatient with Dempsey (April 2016) a group of angels descended upon our property. They did landscaping, a thorough cleaning, organizing, and even laid flooring in the boys' rooms. It was a miracle and a feat of epic proportions! A gesture we will never be able to repay.

Do you have connections to amusement parks? Club 33 at Disneyland comes with some pretty cool perks we've learned. No, we don't have membership there, we just had our socks blessed off by someone who does. Again, a gesture we will never be able to repay. I don't even know how to say "thank you" in such a way that conveys the depth of thankfulness we possess.

Do you have more than enough money? I know this one can seem shallow but, my friends, money is a vital part of a cancer journey. It seems like there is a new charge/ bill every day. They never stop coming. So, although it isn't glamorous... if you have been blessed beyond your need, consider giving to those who are living beyond their needs (not just their means). We could not do this journey the way we have with the success we have witness without the cold hard cash of faithful supporters. Nothing in God's economy is wasted.

Are you good at remembering to pray? Then PRAY! Pray for the needs you know about. Pray that God will fill in for what you don't know about. Ask the family how you can pray for them. Pray around the situation. Pray them through the treatment process. Pray out in front of the journey as well. Commit to praying for the whole family for the duration of treatment. I promise you that you will come out just as different a person as those it's happening to.

GET CREATIVE!
Do you run? There are two sisters in the DFW area of Texas who are running laps to raise #dollarsforDempsey. Isn't that just the best?! These girls, who I've not seen in years, are sold on Team Dempsey and they are newly driven to raise money for him (a goal of $1,000) and raise awareness about him (leukemia, cancer, etc). Not only are they running but they are enlisting their friends as well. The response has already been pretty amazing and we're only three days in. I can't wait to see what comes of this!!

Do you make things? We are honored and blessed to be partnering with James Lee Dean clothing to bring you the #cancerKIDfamous line. A portion of each purchase comes straight to us so we can continue funding Dempsey's holistic protocols. Not only do they help raise funds for Dempsey's journey, they are customizable! So, if you desire to support all childhood cancer instead of just leukemia, you would switch your ribbon color to gold instead of orange. How awesome is that? By the way, those runnin' girls I mentioned, they bought #teamdempsey tanks as their uniform.

You see, there IS something you can do. Just think outside the box. If you want to partner with us somehow, contact me and lets get talkin'.