07/11/2010
by Michael Wells Saturday was just a great day! We had a visit from my sisters Kathleen and Arleen along with their husbands Dennis and Michael. It was extremely nice of them to drive from Connecticut to visit with Brady. They also arrived bearing gifts; Brady now has the unofficial largest collection of Elmo items in the entire world if not the hospital. Thank you guys SO MUCH, it was really great to see you. One of Dennis’ coworkers (Joyce) has been reading CaringBridge and had Dennis deliver even more Elmo stuffed animals, books and more Elmo things than I can explain. Joyce, from the bottom of our hearts “thank you.” Speaking of “thank you’s” we have been delinquent in recognizing everyone who has participated in Brady’s journey, so here goes: Thank you’s I guess the first place I should start is with my family. Jan and Gary (Grammy & Papa) you guys are just incredible. Always there when we need you and continuously supportive and generous. Thank you for everything including your donation to the Hugs for Brady Foundation. My family (scattered to the 4 winds) your love and warmth has helped Sherrie and me more than you will ever know. Thank you – Mom (Grandma Wells) for all the “stuff” for Brady and your generous donation. Thank you Brother Richard, Sisters Doreen, Kathy and Arleen for your kindness and incredible support. To my son Stephen and his sister Jennifer, your donations to your brother’s fund will help ease the pain this horrible disease causes. Other Friends & Family MarieLynn (RWJU Hospital Tech) for taking the time on your day off to watch Brady while Sherrie and I attended a funeral. And the beautiful bib and book, were also very kind. Brittany another RWJU Hospital Tech you are just incredible! From running a half marathon in Brady’s honor to creating and managing the Super 50/50 Raffle, a thank you will never be enough. Patti from Miller Memorial Church thank you for the lovely card and gifts you sent to Brady. Carmen, Brady really loves the stuffed bear. Ann and your beautiful “woof-woof” Jump for the special visit to Brady, he really loves to see Jump. The stuffed “woof-woof” is never far from his side. Nat from Flashes of Hope for the special trip to photograph Brady was just beyond wonderful! Aunt Ellen for delicious dinner and walking door to door to collect money for the Hugs for Brady Foundation was just beyond thoughtful! South Brunswick is lucky to have you as their First Lady! Mayor Frank – What can I say except Thank You for the arranging the rescue squad to take Brady to CHOP. Then you top that by sending a letter to all your friends and associates helping to raise money. Thank you so much! No wonder you’re the BEST mayor in all of Middlesex County. Christine Crucis Barakiva (someone we have never even met) is working on registering the Hugs for Brady Foundation for the Middlesex County Fair Charity Challenge the first week in August. She will have a jug with information about the charity and she plans to be at the fair daily asking for donations. The charity that raises the most will be awarded an additional $500 from a local CPA who sponsors the event! Also, Christine is asking the New York Sports Club to run special classes where members would donate to the Hugs for Brady Foundation in order to participate. Christine, who is a friend we have not met yet, is doing all of this while taking care of her own baby boy that is one month younger than Brady. Thank you Christine! Tom Dardani (another person and neighbor, we’ve never met) thank you for organizing a car show on Halloween day at a local South Brunswick restaurant called One South. Tom is working in conjunction with Mr. George Silvestro (yet another neighbor we’ve never met) who is organizing a motorcycle rally on Halloween night (complete with a real hearse!). All profits from these events will benefit the Hugs for Brady Foundation. Confectionately Yours a local restaurant for all your kindness and yummy treats you have sent to us. – Thank you! Cousin Renee your brownies were to die for! Thanks and send some more, soon. Kellie, Dan and Nick (Sherrie’s life long girl friend) your generosity, support and love set a standard which will be extremely difficult to match. Thank you!!! Steven Jones, CEO of RWJU Hospital you have been just wonderful and have helped make a horrible situation much more tolerable. Thank you! Donna Plaxe (RWJU Hospital Nurse Practitioner) your dedication, knowledge and skills are one of the major reasons our son is doing as well as he is. Thank you will never ever never be enough. Donors to the Hugs for Brady Foundation- David Samuel of CME Engineering (we never met you) but WOW! Thank you so much.
- Maureen Geoghegan for the generous gift and Mass card (Our friend and former co-worker)
- Kelly Green founder and owner of Digital Canvas (an amazing woman who works with Mike but we have not personally met, yet) Thank you for helping us design our logo.
- Kimberly Diskin O’Donnell (Friend of Sherries)
- Jacqueline Fowler (Neighbor)
- Edward Bezek (Neighbor)
- David Kishbauch (Our friend and coworker)
- Aaron Rosloff (Neighbor)
- Sal & Kathy Mazzola (Neighbors)
- Madeline Davoli (Neighbor?)
- Kathy (Wells) and Dennis McCarthy (My sister and brother in-law)
- Sue and Russ Kniehl (My life long friend and his wonderful bride)
- Arthur Roedel (South Brunswick’s First Citizen)
- Anna Simonitis (My friend and coworker)
- Jack Wachstock, Esq. – Attorney at Law (Art Roedel’s attorney)
- Stephen Wells (Brady’s brother)
- Jennifer Wells (Brady’s sister)
- Margaret Wells (Grandma Wells)
- Doreen (Wells) & Peter Olenkiewicz (My Irish Twin and her husband)
- Uncle Charles Sivco (Sherri’s favorite Uncle)
- Ann Bagchi (Neighbor?)
- Mr & Mrs Richard Fannell (Neighbors?)
- Mr & Mrs Peter Garguilo (Neighbors)
- Mr & Mrs Joseph Gattuso (Our next door neighbors)
- Mr Charles Pender (Sherrie’s cousin)
- Joseph Pustae (Neighbor?)
- Mr & Mrs Howard Rubenstein (Neighbors)
- Judit Vegh (Neighbors)
- Louise Miglionico (an angel from Vermont)
- Kellie Brockman, Dan, & Nick Paterno (Sherrie’s best friend that lives miles away)
- Janice & Gary Sivco (Grammy & Papa) – We Love You!!!
“8 Years Later—Still No Cure for Pediatric Cancer” is a series of posts revisiting the journal kept by Sherrie and Michael Wells during the cancer diagnosis and treatment of their son, Brady Michael. Hopefully these entires will provide an understanding of the journey families face when dealing with these horrific diseases and of the important work the Hugs for Brady Foundation does.