DeLanee's Story

10 years ago, Becky and Tommy, were blessed to be pregnant with their second child. Shortly thereafter they learned that they were going to be parents to a little girl, but the probability of their daughter living for very long was extremely low. Their daughter was diagnosed with a condition called Dandy-Walker Cyst. The doctors believed that their baby girl would deteriorate and pass away during pregnancy, but much to their surprise DeLanee developed until 28 weeks gestation when she was delivered and lived for three hours. As you can imagine, these 3 hours was precious time that they spent as a family with their daughter taking pictures, bathing, dressing and holding her until she passed away in their arms. Upon DeLanee's passing, the nurses brought the family a box to put their daughter’s belongings in to take home with them. Because DeLanee was born in January the nurses were able to find a leftover Christmas box. That Christmas box became extremely special to them and they clung to it and the contents inside that held their daughter’s precious belongings as they left the hospital without their baby. It was because of this box that the inspiration for Lanee’s Legacy began. . .



Thursday, November 4, 2010

2 DAYS!!

Hey everybody! It has been a crazy but exciting week! We're so happy with how everything has come together for this event. It's amazing what just one year of experience can do! We can't wait for Saturday!!

Aside from being busy preparing for our breakfast, we got together last Saturday with some wonderful ladies in Tempe and created boxes that were delivered to two new hospitals, Phoenix Children's Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix. That brings us up to 18 hospitals that we now serve throughout Arizona! Today, I received an amazing call from the bereavement department at Phoenix Children's thanking us for the boxes. She said that she "and the rest of the department has been looking at these boxes in amazement". This was their first delivery, so they had never seen them before. She talked of how well made they were, the effort and detail that went into them along with all of the items inside to help families. It was just really neat to hear from her and the feedback she had for not just us but ALL of you that help to make these boxes! A lot of women participated last Saturday to make both of those deliveries possible and we wanted to share this with you so that you would know the difference it made.

The Arizona Republic actually came to last Saturday's box making so that they could complete the story they were doing. That article ran in yesterday's paper in the Mesa edition. If you missed the article, you can read it here - just ignore the picture of me. I really hate pictures of myself. . .seriously hate it! I was so happy to see only volunteer pictures in the actual paper. Then, I saw the online one and really just cringed. UGH! I always look at them and think "do I really look like that"?!?

Anyway. . .

The lady I talked to today also asked me how we fund the boxes. So. . .I told her of our big event that is just two days away! I told her our organization is run solely from donations and volunteer efforts. When I told her that those efforts had funded 423 boxes this past year I heard her gasp on the other end of the phone. She couldn't believe it. Then she finished by saying that you need to continue to have your funding so we can receive these boxes.

. . . I hope so.

So, come out and see us at Red Mountain Park from 8 -11 this Saturday. When you buy your breakfast tickets the rest is free! Your kids will have fun with all of the entertainment we are providing. Our raffles are just $1 and our silent auction packages start at just $50.00! We have some of the best prizes this year!! Guys. . .we made sure to cater to you by having Phoenix Suns and Diamondback tickets, an autographed ball from the Cardinals, a really great golf package including professional lessons. . .you'll be amazed! Girls. . .we have a pampering package with all you would ever want as well as many, many others!

Thanks everbody for your continued support to us and hope to see you soon!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Date Night Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to everyone who participated in our giveaway by getting your breakfast tickets and donating!! We appreciate your support so much!

This is my rainbow baby, Taryn. She was born just 16 months after DeLanee. She's a little kindergartner and doesn't go until the afternoon, so I let her do the honors of drawing our winner.

She thought it was pretty cool to get to do this:
And of course, she had to close her eyes:
And voila. . .
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
FARRAH NELSON!

Enjoy your night out on the town and thanks so much for supporting us!