Saving Santos...

I am pleased to announce that Santos Arreola made it to Arizona for his new round of treatments. The facility specializes in alternative care and Santos needs to raise money to pay for the scheduled treatments. I am posting the info for his fund in this post and I ask everyone who follows my blog to please contribute to his fund. I went to a CPA Wednesday to get the fund transferred from a charity fund to a foundation so it can have tax benefits for those who are looking for the write off. But until that happens please help this child and mother.

If it was me I don't know what I would do. I probably would consider cruising in a convertible with a bull horn so I could get every one's attention. If you have never battled sickness in your child then I can't begin to explain the fright, scare, and helplessness one feels. You can't really grasp the feeling of not understanding why everyone isn't fundraising for your kid because you personally love your child more than life itself. That didn't come out grammatically correct but you know what I mean.

Derek Fisher, a Los Angeles Laker, was informed that his daughter had eye cancer. It made breaking news, front page of the paper, and several talk shows. I couldn't understand why his child got a ticker tape on the bottom of every major channel and my daughter barely made the paper. Sure I know Derek is famous but that didn't matter to me. My kid is just important. This was the attitude I had at the time. Today I know that there is a method to the madness. It's getting your story in front of people. This is where I come in.

I will fight to get a child in the public. I will do it with phone calls, I will do it face to face, or I'll do it with emails. So if it seems like I'm always selling myself - it's because I am! I want people to answer my calls. I want people to know about the special kids I get the opportunity to meet. It is a blessing to see first hand the fight so many families face because it motivates you to do something.

So tonight I ask you to join my fight for Santos Arreola. Put yourself in his mother's place tonight and think how hard it would be for you and your family. Contribute to the saving Santos fund!

Check out his Mother's blog http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/santosarreola

Industrial State Bank

Att: Santos Arreola Treatment Fund

Account # 130000794872

P.O Box 6007

Kansas City, KS 66106

American Idol

I cry every time I watch AI! I'm not sure why but I have my suspicions! I think it's because I keep thinking that these kids are children of someone. Sounds strange but when I hear someone with a great voice I feel a sense of - Pride. Crazy but I think how proud I would be if it was my kid. I get emotional hearing a good voice, what can I say.

When I see someone cry I want to cry. When I see someone do good I want to cheer. I love to see people succeed. I sometimes don't get why everyone is not that way. Seriously, I want everyone to do good. To see someone try and change, to see someone become passionate, to see someone find their thing makes me feel good. So I guess that is why I am weak for a good voice. A good voice is usually a sign of practice and passion. I sing in the car and shower but would never attempt to do it in public. So if someone does break out in song it usually signifies that someone has practiced on their pitch and I applaud that! Usually.

Please read my story that came out today in the Lee's Summit Journal. One-80 by Michael Quijas http://www.lsjournal.com/100/story/23639.html

Santos Arreola

My name is Michael Quijas. You may know me, you may of heard of me, or you may have just stumbled upon my blog by mistake but here I am. Tonight and this weekend I have a big decision to make. There's not much thought into the decision but still I've decided to think long and hard about this decision. Confused? Let me explain.

There's a beautiful little boy and his name is Santos. Santos Christian Arreola age 5. You may have read his story on Christmas Day on the front page of the Kansas City Star http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/951848.html . He has been fighting a brain tumor but things have taken a turn for the worst. They say Santos will not be here next year at this time due to the fact that the treatments aren't working. Doctors recommend halting all treatments and letting the little man enjoy his time. As the professionals say - quality of life versus quantity. Tough stuff.

Santos' Mother is Leticia Garcia. Leticia is a single mother living at home with her parents. Her demeanor or composure is always cool and collected. She is my friend. I met the mother and son while Kaylee was admitted in CMH. Santos was recovering from a Bone Marrow Transplant and Kaylee was fighting her battle. We talked briefly but it wasn't until April or May when we met again for the Alex's Lemonade commercial. I recruited children for the commercial and one of those recruits were Santos. He enjoyed his time in front of the camera and his time on the field!

Leticia has to make some quick decisions. First she has to figure out what else can be done. Where else can she go. Are there any alternative treatments worth pursuing. Leticia needs to find money. She needs someone to tell her story. She needs a loud voice. That's where I come in.

I'm still exhausted from the Kerry Magana fight. The heartbreak of losing Kerry is also tough. I have to dig deep to find the energy to start the Santos Arreola Campaign. The thing that motivates me is the fact that I know I could be of help to the Garcia family. I know I could organize, recruit, and get exposure for the fundraising. We will need to raise a lot of money immediately so Leticia can pursue treatments elsewhere.

The Kerry Magana fight was a political fight. It was a red tape battle and we succeeded. We also succeeded at finding a donor during the Bone Marrow Drive. But this new battle will be different. It will be raising money and raising money quickly. This thing called cancer will not wait for good intentions or promises so I need to get going quickly. I only hope that I can produce the results needed.

I was going to accept an invitation for the Man of the Year Event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society but it looks like I might have to decline. This year I might have to focus all my energy on Santos. I need to help save his life. If the tables were turned I would do anything to save my kid. Seriously. I would beg, plead, promise, and cry to anyone if I thought that it would help my child. I would want anyone and everyone in my corner. So I might have to put my self-promotion campaign for the LLS on the back burner so I can get to work on this new campaign for life!

Thanks again...

It feels like months since my last entry. I hope life is treating you and yours well. Nothing to complain about here. We are trying to get back to normal after a long break. Kaylee rejoined her classmates at school this week. Kaylee said everyone in her classes were glad to see her.

I can tell Kaylee is troubled that she has so many commitments and obligations with this disease. She isn't able to join her girl friends to parties. She has to take chemo nightly and she has to be accountable for the meds. Kaylee isn't able to disappear with friends like she used to and I think that affects her friendships. She is home a lot and I feel for her.

When this all started I rationalized why Kaylee may have been stricken with cancer. I thought maybe God gave it to Kaylee so she might be spared from a tragic car wreck. Since Kaylee is home more days and nights because of the disease than an average teenager it might lower the odds of her being in a car where there's underage drinking. It might lower her chances of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Since time has passed now, it is harder to rationalize the disease. We watch our little girl spectate from the sidelines on most days and it hurts a little.

The saying is "it is what it is" and I agree but sometimes you wish this was happening to someone else besides your child. Kaylee never complains and I respect her for that. We are just about 10 months away from the end of our treatments and we are grateful that time has flown by.

I want to thank everyone for the kind words, gracious acts of kindness, and for all the prayers!