Dear Family and Friends,
Today is that bittersweet day, rolling around once again. Happy birthday to my precious Summer who is not here, and happy birthday to her amazing twin brother, Jordan, who turns 28 today. Jordan is a wonderful young man working as a political producer for CBS News in NYC. His poise and grace amidst all he has endured continue to amaze me. Summer’s vision and bright spirit continue to touch the lives of kids battling cancer.
So…bitter and sweet. It’s just that kind of day.
It would be easy for me to dwell on the bitter. I can’t call Summer or hug her. But I am instead choosing to focus on the good Summer brought into the world.
Through her battle with cancer, Summer discovered that kids with cancer really need each other. She started Team Summer as a way for kids with cancer to meet, a program that has connected hundreds of kids across the country.
One of the many hard things that most kids with cancer endure is watching their hair fall out. For a teenage girl, that can be downright traumatic. Summer sobbed and sobbed over it. And I’ll never forget the children and adults alike who pointed and stared at Summer when she went out in public. It hurt her so much. It took the amazing photography of Brenda Richterkessing to turn things around. She encouraged Summer to rock her bald look, and the photographs Brenda took meant the world to Summer.
But not everybody is lucky enough to have a Brenda in their lives. And it’s especially painful when cruel people attack you for being bald. That’s what happened to Kny (pronounced “nigh”), who is battling leukemia. She posted something on TikTok that had nothing to do with cancer and was devastated when she was bombarded with negative comments about her bald head.
Fortunately for Kny, Team Summer kid Payton went to the same middle school in Utah as she did. As you might recall, Payton is dealing with a brain tumor and all the physical challenges of that diagnosis.
The two girls found each other at school through their bald heads! And because of the Team Summer program, Payton had a way to reach out to Kny and let her know that she was not alone. Payton surprised her with a Team Summer gift – something she had really been wanting: Apple headphones!
What a picture! I have to say, I think Kny is looking a lot like Summer, totally owning her baldness! Way to go, Kny! And Kny’s mom tells us that the headphones have been a game-changer during her treatments. She can put them on and tune out the world!
But, best of all, Kny now has a friend who truly understands what she is going through!
Thank you for making this gift and others like it possible! I never lose sight of the fact that the reason this program is still going strong is because of all of you. Your love and generosity keep this program moving forward, growing!
And please know that your love has held me up, too. Especially on a day like today. You all are definitely a part of the sweet!
Much love,
Lynne Dale
President
Team Summer
