Mission Monday: 10 Questions With Natalie Dameshek
Published
What do you think of when you hear the words "Four Diamonds"? What impact does this organization have on you? We are taking a look at different perspectives of Four Diamonds to showcase just how much of an impact Four Diamonds and Mini-THON has on the world around us.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so that means Gold Out Games, Gold Ribbon Sales, the hashtag #GoGoldFTK, and basically anything else you can think of, short of painting yourself gold and shouting from the rooftops to donate to Four Diamonds. Although September is a great month for raising awareness and kicking off your Mini-THON season with fundraisers and events, for some, it also serves as a time of remembrance. This month's focus is on Natalie Dameshek, and gives us an insight on how Four Diamonds has impacted her family, even after Emilia's passing.
You may have heard her story at the Mini-THON Leadership Summit this past August, but for those of you who may not have, take a look at the Emilia Dameshek family story here. Emilia’s mother, Natalie, is a powerful speaker with a compelling story to tell. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month means something a little bit different to her. Four Diamonds has had a profound impact on the Dameshek family, and although Emilia is no longer with us, her spirit of giving back and making the world a better place is stronger than ever. I sat down with Natalie, and asked her some questions about her journey with Four Diamonds, and here’s what she had to say:
You may have heard her story at the Mini-THON Leadership Summit this past August, but for those of you who may not have, take a look at the Emilia Dameshek family story here. Emilia’s mother, Natalie, is a powerful speaker with a compelling story to tell. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month means something a little bit different to her. Four Diamonds has had a profound impact on the Dameshek family, and although Emilia is no longer with us, her spirit of giving back and making the world a better place is stronger than ever. I sat down with Natalie, and asked her some questions about her journey with Four Diamonds, and here’s what she had to say:
Q: Had you heard of Mini-THON before Emilia’s diagnosis?
A: No, I only knew about Four Diamonds and the big event at State College.
Q: What does Four Diamonds mean to you and your family?
A: Everything. It means community, support, research and a partner in the fight. Even though our daughter isn’t here to continue treatment, knowing that the researchers are looking for better treatments so another family of four doesn’t shrink to a family of three and that other families who are newly diagnosed won’t be alone drives our commitment to continue our involvement.
Q: What does Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
mean to you and your family?
A: It’s actually a really hard, long month for us. We feel obligated to share our story to reach those who are still in the dark about the realities of pediatric cancer while also using the time to share Emilia’s beautiful face, raise awareness and spread information about how others can get involved and make a difference. I post a fact about pediatric cancer or a photo of Emilia every single day in September on both Facebook and Instagram.
Q: What is one thing you want people to know about Emilia?
A: Even though she had cancer and seemed different, she was still just a kid. She wanted to be just like all her friends and be seen as a kid in middle school. She wanted to do things like all her other friends were doing.
Q: Can you tell our Mini-THON students why research at our hospital so important?
A: Research is how we are going change the survival rate from 80%, where it has been for some time, to a bigger, better number. New drugs and therapies can not only cure kids but cure them AND give them a better quality of life. It’s amazing to beat cancer but that success will likely bring a host of other long-term issues for those survivors. We want to see kids not only survive, but thrive and live a life to their full potential. Shorter hospital stays, fewer infections, fewer side effects, better cure rates; research can impact all of these.
Q: Why do you Mini-THON?
A: As a parent, to inspire kids to get involved in an important cause that is pretty close to home, and it is impacting people in their community that they may not have met. Spreading awareness, getting people involved, involvement grows, provides more room for growth. I also Mini-THON for Emilia. If she were here she’d be part of Mini-THON and we want to inspire others to get involved and make a difference.
Q: What do you and your family like to do in your free time?
A: In the summer, we enjoy kayaking, going to the beach, camping (tent camping). In the fall, we enjoy hiking and anything that can get us to be outside. I personally enjoy working in the garden as well.
Q: What advice can you offer to other families who are fighting childhood cancer right now?
A: Celebrate the victories when you have them. Build a support network. Spend some time remembering who you were before you were a cancer parent, take time for yourself to recharge as a parent. Be organized, don’t be afraid to ask questions when you’re in front of doctors, and reach out for help if it’s too much to handle by yourself.
Q: Which of the four diamonds do you best associate with? And why?
A: For Emilia- courage, she was so brave, fought three times, went through a lot more than most other kids did. Each time, she faced it with one goal in mind, beating her cancer.
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month may only “officially” be in September, however it is important to keep spreading awareness and keep the spirit of our fallen heroes alive. Emilia lived a life where kindness was at the forefront of every interaction. She also wanted to change the world one day and make it a better place. This is why we do what we do. We make the world a better place, in memory and in honor of fighters like Emilia.
Blog For The Kids®
09/24/2018 11:35am EDT
Comments