B.I.G. Love Cancer CareB.I.G

. Love...to renew your hop

e, make you sm

ile, and love you up

!Brooke’s Incredible Gift

Dear B.I.G. Love and Peni - I just wanted to say thank you for everthing you did for Craig and myself. You have no idea how you brightened our days on the 9th floor. Craig always looked forward to seeing you. This is not an easy road to be on. It makes no sense, and some days are a real struggle without Craig, but we have met some wonderful people along the way.

Thanks, Craig’s Mom

Craig Buckenham - loved and cherished

Craig Buckenham was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia on April 16, 2009. When I first met Craig, during my weekly visits to the cancer unit at Texas Children’s Hospital, I don’t know if it was the blond locks and crystal blue eyes that stole my heart, or the Scottish accent, but after meeting him, we became immediate friends. It was so much fun to visit with him each week and sit with him as he tried desperately to think of things he needed from the store…besides man-

goes and gushers. Because he hardly ever asked for anything, always content with what he had, I considered it my mission to surprise him each week. With much contemplation, one week, he decided he wanted some Garfield comic books. My daughter and I scoured the Houston area for comic books. Eventu-ally, we found some at a used book store, so naturally, we bought all they had. He loved it. One week, Craig decided he had a hankering for some blueberry pie, and it just so happened, that blueberry-banana pies are my specialty. So by the next week, I set up my cooking station right in his room and started making my Grandmother’s old recipe. When I was done, I said, “Do you want me to cut you a piece, or do you want to eat the whole pie?” He smiled, as he reached for the pie, and filled his mouth full of whip cream and blueberries!

Craig was an avid tennis player. He spent many afternoons and weekends playing and practicing tennis at Huber Tennis Ranch. All who entered his hospital room could see his passion for the game, not only by all the tennis paraphernalia that decorated his space, but also by the poster-size picture of himself on the court. Because of his fascination with Andre Agassi, I pur-chased Agassi’s new book, Open. Craig and his Granny were able to read

the story together. I enjoyed sharing in their discussions as well as posting updates on what I had read on Craig’s caringbridge. And finally, after many e-mails to Andre Agassi, he donated several items to Craig, and each one was personally autographed.

Craig’s older sister, Lindsay, created a caringbridge site for Craig in order for him to stay connected with his family and many friends from Scotland. Lindsay is a 17 year old student at Cy-fair High School who loved her brother deeply and was quite accustomed to his continual teasing about her indecisiveness. However, because of her little brother’s life, his passions, his love, Lindsay has decided to become a pediatric-oncolo-gy social worker. She will not only be able to help other kids and families with their vast and pressing needs, but she will always be able to inspire others by the life and legacy of her little brother Craig.

Craig left a lasting impression and influence on his family and all who knew him. His zeal for life and ability to passionately enjoy the simple things that life had to offer – such as mangoes, gushers, comic books, blueberry-banana pies and the game of tennis, will always inspire others to live simply and enjoy each day!

Peni Green - Program Director

January2010

Thanks to all of our volunteers who helped to make our Christmas in the Park a Great Suc-cess - Darla Tanner, JJ and Natalie Molock, Peni and Sadie Green, Dylan Gwen, Khara, Jana Herbst, Theresa Hammonds, Dan Martin, Christie Wafford, Bert and Sharron Phillips, Jennifer Benitez, Melissa Wheeler, Crystal Cantu,

Monica Cabrera, Gabriel and Debbie Mayes, Art At-tack Graphics, Suzelle Mar-tin, Monette Smith, Sherri Foster, Gaby, Betsy and Jean Farkas, Cynthia Free-man, Kent and Roberta Phillips, Stephanie Theriot, Theresa Trede, Shayne, Tia and Twisted Concepts, Robert Valentine, Paula Guidry, Robin Haidacher, Deborah Parrott, Lisa Mathew, Carlos and Val-erie Garcia, Cassie Mar-tin, Mckenzie and Derrek Maddox, Jamee and Jer-rika Harris, Abby Savage, Robby Bennett, Marty and Cheryl Herbst, Vikki Timm, Amanda Zavala, Christina Nino, Shannon Jackson, and Liz Cooper and family.

“I wanted to take a moment and tell you thanks so much for holding the Christmas in the Park event. It had to be an incredible amount of work involved by your group to put all this together. My son, Cooper, had a wonderful time in the parade and we were very blessed to be part of the event. Again, we cannot thank you enough for all that your group has done for us and many, many others kids and families. Your family is such an inspiration to us, and you have made a difference in our lives personally.”

From a cancer kid that participated in the parade:“My son loved being a part of the event. He was hesi-tant at first because he didn’t know anybody, but he hit it off with the drivers and had a great time. He has just talked and talked about it. I hope everyone else had a wonderful day. Thanks for inviting us to be a part.”

A big thanks to our Christmas in the Park Sponsors

Believe Sponsor Boats, Etc., Inc., Milam Construction Company, Abbey and Colton Heron - In Memory of Andrew Wade HeronTwisted Concepts - Clute, Just 4 Chicks, AA Karate – Al Duke Charles and Edith Burney

Strength Sponsor Bill ShanksThe Ira and Martha Brandon Foundation

Peace SponsorMonette Smith, Dr. Bill Oliver, Dr. Zo-ann Dreyer, Dawn Wood, Darla Tanner, Kerry Moody, Brenda Gage, Constable Robin Rape, Classic Cars of Brazoria County, Wal-Mart – Alvin, TX, Jim and Patti Landiault, Roger and Jeannette Stuksa, Eddie and Barbara Murray, Greg and Kim Bullard, Mike and Lisa McGaugh, Jamee & Jerrica Harris – in loving memory of Vincent James PerezMike and Pam Heron and Amanda Zavala

Love SponsorManvel Lion’s ClubIke and Edith OsbournFaith SponsorJohn and Brandi JamisonJohn, Julie and Josh Mathew Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School Manvel Furniture and Mattress Company In honor of Cooper Gartrell - The Lenamon’s, The Bateman’s and David Smith Realty

Hope SponsorState Representative Dennis BonnenUPS Turbine ServicesHometown Bank of Alvin.Brazoria County Pain Center Milton Ray Goodson Seabrook Intermediate NJHSShear Perfections Hair Salon Mass Transfer Unlimited Glen Johnson and Whataburger – Lufkin

B.I.G. Love SponsorSherilyn and Sheridan SteeleAngleton First Church

Joy Sponsor Shannon Brown Greg and Carolyn Benkula Donny ShaddockJohn and Carol Hynes

Car Show Winners

Auction Item Donors:La Casona, Chilis, Wal-Mart, Pizza Hut, State Farm Insurance-David Hall, IBC Bank, Wellness Center, Joshua Fisk, Crystal Cantu, Jean Farkas, Cynthia Freeman, Angleton Pain Center, and T.M.I. - from Angleton. Academy Sports Store, Calista Stewart, Champagnes and Chick Fil A - from Lake Jackson. Manvel Furniture and Mattress, Betsy Farkas, Suzelle Martin, Monette Smith, Rita Benton, Terri Coleman, Terri Elbatnigi (Scentsy), Patti Bloutinghouse, Marty and Cheryl Herbst, Constable Robin Rape, Peni Green, Dan Martin, Art Attack Graphics, Ashley Phil-lips, Robin Haidacher, Al Malkeovic, Rick and Bette Perry, Alex Wehba and family, Johnny Yeilding, the Foley family and Darla Tanner.

Memory Lane

Andrew Wade Heron by Mike and Pam Heron and Abbey and Colton Heron Brooke Phillips by Corey and Sandy Christian and Christian Services and Roger Lawson

Robert Colton Osborn by Donald and Wanda Duncan Ada Hynes and Albert and Helen Werner by Carol and John Hynes

We Lovingly Honor...Cooper Gartrell by The Lenamon's, The Bateman's and David Smith Realty

Representative Dennis and Kim Bonnen and Boys by Shera and David Eichler Jana and Neil Herbst by Grandpa and Gen

We Lovingly Remember... Vincent Natalia Jeremy Wade Malachi

Brooke

Thank you to JD and Traci Yelderman, Brandi Horvath and Kathy B. Smyth for purchasing parking passes for cancer families, and Arnold and Millie Wafer for pur-chasing groceries. And thank you to Gladys Bladwin, Amy Davies, Ronald and June

Madding, Karla Darden, Liz Cooper, Jeanie Grahman, Sandy Carlberg, Lisa Jernigan, Cheryl Herbst, Robin Lapier, Kerri Schaefer, Nina Olson, Tom and Ann Penvose, Geneva

Rice, Jim and Becca Collins, Josh Fisk, Crystal and Velma Cantu, Melissa Wheeler, Bethany Miller’s Girl Scout Group, Angleton IceHouse and Dr. Galdstone Airewele.

B.I.G. Love with Chandra

Wilson(Gray’s Anatomy) at TCH!

Malachi Schaefer’s 4th Birthday by Donald and Wanda Duncan Natalia Lopez by Chris and Peni Green

Craig Buckenham by Chris and Peni Green Jeremy Mathew by Jennifer and Jim Prappas

Vincent James Perez by Jamee & Jerrica Harris

At the B.I.G. Love Trailer!

Dear B.I.G. Love - We have been so blessed by you. We are staying in the B.I.G. Love trailer in Houston. We love it. It is the perfect place for us. It is such a great environment for our son. He is getting stronger every day. I think a large part of his success is our living arrangements. Every-one here is extremely kind and our son idolizes the owner. Thank you so much for sharing your love with us.”

Thanks to Tarek and his crew from Mimi’s Cafe in Little Rock for providing and serving a New Year’s Eve meal to the entire third floor at Arkansas Children’s Hospital!

ADOPTB.I.G. LOVE

Sunny Hearts in Angleton Adopted BIG Love by collecting SOCKS for our cancer

kids and families!

Seabrook Intermediate School adopted BIG Love by raising money

and collecting Toys on Jean Day!

Dylan Gwen and his friends at Clear Lake High School...started a Club for B.I.G. Love. They meet each week, raise funds, collect toys,

volunteer with B.I.G. Love at Texas Children’s Hospital and help to sell our merchandise.

Way to Go!

The kids at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Lake Jackson made a kite featuring our Mother Teresa quote. They auctioned the kite and

raised over $900 for B.I.G. Love!

Mrs. Trail’s 2nd Grade class at Bess Brannen Elementary in Lake Jackson

collected socks for B.I.G. Love!

How can you help?

Collect Toys or Socks!

Form a B.I.G. Love Club at your School!

Conduct a Fundraiser!

Help us sell B.I.G. Love Merchandise!

For more information on “adopting” B.I.G. Love,

contact Natalie Molock at natalie@biglovecancercare.org

Upcoming EventsValentine’s Day Basket Delivery to Texas Children’s Hospital - February 12th. March 6th - Brazoria County Car Show raises money for B.I.G. Love. Thank you! March 27th - B.I.G. Love Car Show - Faithbridge Church, Deerpark, TX. Please contact Sadie Green 281-961-9929April 10th - Angleton Ice House holds Bike Run, Live Auction and Fish Fry. Kick Stands up at 10:00 a.m. Kick Stands down at 2:00 p.m. Live Music at 6:00 p.m. May - Mother’s Day Gift Totes for TCH.June - Father’s Day Duffel Bags for TCH.September - Childhood Cancer Awareness MonthSeptember 18th - B.I.G. Love’s Third Annual Fun Run - First Baptist Church, Angleton. Online registration coming soon.

we cannot all do great things but small things with great love.

-Mother Teresa

BIG Love Cancer CareP.O. Box 10386

El Dorado, AR 71730

Donations in Honor or Memory of Someone SpecialYour Name: ___________________________________ Donation Amount: ___________Send To: ____________________________ At: ________________________________In Honor Of: _________________________ (or) In Memory Of: ______________________

Send your memorial gift to B.I.G. Love Cancer Care in the attached envelope.How to help B.I.G.Love...I will support B.I.G. Love monthly in 2010 in the amount of $ per month.

I would like to “adopt” B.I.G. Love as my charity for the month of . By adopting B.I.G. Love, you can choose to conduct a toy drive, conduct your own fundraiser, help us sell B.I.G.Love merchandise or establish a B.I.G. Love Club at your school. (circle one)

I would like to purchase a parking pass for a cancer family in need. ($100)

If you would like to help, please check the that

applies, and mail this form with your contact

information in the enclosed envelope.

You will receive a new 2010 Desk Calendar.

“We cannot all do great things but we can do small things with great love.” Mother TeresaVisit our BRAND NEW website: www.biglovecancercare.org

Thank you! A special thanks to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church – Houston

for helping to fund our TCH Grocery Program for 2010!

I would like to purchase groceries for a cancer family in need. ($25 per family) .