testifying before State Legislature for HopeWell cancer support...

Last week Katie got a phone call from HopeWell cancer support asking us if we would like to go to Annapolis this weekend to help them secure funding from the State Legislature. Katie happily agreed. Little did we know just how wonderful this day would turn out.

Just a little background about Hopewell first from their website. For 17 years, our work at HopeWell Cancer Support has been based on the premise that people affected by cancer need more than just medical care. HopeWell’s programs are specifically designed to complement the medical system by helping people with cancer, and their loved ones, cope with the life-changing impact of a cancer diagnosis.

At HopeWell, we recognize that an emotional response to cancer is normal and that being surrounded by people who understand is part of the healing process. HopeWell offers a broad range of programs and activities, including support groups, educational seminars, exercise classes and social activities, that allow people to access a community of support that is unmatched in the Baltimore metropolitan area. All of HopeWell’s programs are offered free of charge and are open to people at any stage of their journey through cancer.

The support they offer cancer patients and their families is nothing short of phenomenal. We took the girls there for a kids support group when I was going through my treatments and the help they gave the girls really went a long way in helping them get through everything. So, of course, when they asked us to help them, we jumped at the chance. During the course of the week Katie had been talking with HopeWell about the trip and they asked if one of the girls could speak at the hearings. They only had a few minutes to state their case and they felt that the testimony would have more impact if it came from a child. Katie & I decided that, if she wanted to, Emily would be the one to testify for us. When we asked her, she jumped at the chance.

It turns out that it was the four of us, a few members of the HopeWell staff and one other family with two kids that made the trip to Annapolis. We had to testify at two committee hearings today. First was the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, at 9am. Then we went in front of the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee at noon. When it came time for Emily to testify in front of the Appropriations Committee, as nervous as she was, she delivered a knockout performance. She spoke clearly, concisely, and projected her thoughts and voice with confidence.

After that, we had some time before the Senate hearing, so our delegate, Rep. Stein, took us on an unofficial tour of the State House. Turns out that not only does Maryland have the country's oldest working state house, it is also where George Washington resigned his commission as Commander-In-Chief of the Continental Army in 1783.

While we were taking the tour and having lunch, we came to find out that we would have more time in front of the Senate committee, so the HopeWell people asked Lilli if she would like to speak. After seeing what a good job her sister did, she jumped on the chance and spent the rest of her time writing down what she would say.

Mere words cannot adequately convey just how awesome the girls did in the Senate hearing. Lilli went first and gave a flawless delivery of her testimony and how well HopeWell had helped her. Emily went after her and barely got two words out before she started crying. She got herself together and gave the Senators a brilliant testimony, that had a few of them teary eyed. After Emily's testimony, Lilli leaned over and gave her big sister a big hug and they just kinda leaned on each other for a few seconds. It was a very emotionally moving experience. It so impressed the Chairman of the Budget and Taxation Committee, Sen. Ulysses Currie, that when we were finished testifying he specifically told the girls that they did a great job today.

While I am always proud of Emily and Lilli, what they did today made me prouder of them than I have ever been. They were given an opportunity today to stand up and help make a difference. Not only did they make a difference, but they did it in a memorable fashion.