52 weeks of Hope & Strength

'At the end of the day, all you need is Hope and Strength. Hope that it will get better, and Strength to hold on until it does.'

One year ago today. August 26, 2015, at 5:35 pm Dr. Hinson called and said our 3 1/2 year old son had Leukemia, a blood cancer. He had cancer. A perfectly healthy, normal little boy...my son, now had cancer. Nothing can prepare you. It didn't seem real. It didn't seem possible. But it was.

And for 365 days I've hoped that Levi would get better and stronger each day. And he has. I've hoped that Levi's body would respond to treatment. And it has. And I've prayed for strength for all of us. To get through this unimaginable time. It has been so hard. Watching Levi go through countless procedures, receiving countless chemos, hearing him scream out countless times.

Today. August 26, 2016, Levi went to daycare where his teacher kissed the top of his head when he walked into the room. And he played and laughed all day long...without a care in the world or even knowing that today was his one year mark. He went to the pool and played with his best friend Brayden, jumping off the diving board, eating pizza on beach towels. His hair is back and blonder than ever. His energy is back and he's wild as ever. We did it. We survived year one.

To our family and friends - thank you. Thank you for your prayers. For your friends prayers. For your countless messages, gifts, donations, support through year one. Thank you for supporting our #runforlevi effort which helps us focus on health and healing.

And a special thank you to our parents and siblings. We just don't have to words to say how much you mean to us and to Levi. Our marriage is solid and our family is strong because of your support.

If you can, please consider making a small donation to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS). I'm sorry to ask but I have to...because I see countless children at the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology clinic battling cancer. They deserve a chance at life. Their families need support. The local LLS chapter has honored Levi in more ways than I can count. I have experienced what the LLS does. I have heard stories of survival because of new drugs that the LLS played a critical role in. It makes a difference and so can you. To donate: http://pages.lightthenight.org/nc/Charlnc16/jvetter