Letter from Genre's Mom
It has been more than two years since Genre’s leukemia diagnosis. Our family, and anyone who has allowed Genre’s strength and faith to touch their lives, has grown so much through his illness. We have gradually become better people while watching Genre handle cancer with such determination and a happy spirit. We all appreciate life more than we did before and I think we all have a new awareness about just how fragile life really is. Because Genre’s journey through cancer is so long, we don’t get to quickly forget what we’ve learned.
Our family has been abundantly blessed by the love and kindness of the people who constantly surrounded us through this journey and lifted us up daily. I have said many times before - through leukemia, friends became family. We will never forget what was done for us…how we were loved and cared for.
Because of leukemia we are honored to know the entire oncology staff at CHP. I know each one of them was put on the earth for this very special purpose of caring for these sick children. The love and compassion shown by each one of them is unsurpassed and their dedication is unmatched. I thank God for them and for all He allows them to do for these children.
Through Genre’s compassion and his love for other people came, at first, Operation Electronics – a name he and a friend coined one night while they were eating pizza. O.E. grew into Genre’s Kids with Cancer Fund and all of the beautiful things we are able to do today. Because of Genre’s cancer, over one hundred children at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh have been given some type of electronic game or music device. Because of Genre’s cancer, over 80 moms and dads have been given the supplies they need to get through those horrifying first few days. Families have received enough money to provide food for their other children, had their gas and electric bills paid, rent has been made current, Christmas gifts and meals were provided, and gas cards have been given regularly. On top of that, the entire transplant floor and the adolescent medicine wing have an Xbox in each room because of Genre’s gaming idea. Are you hearing me smile through my words? All of this has come out of our son’s CANCER. CANCER!
I write none of this to brag about my son or the hard work of Genre’s Kids with Cancer and every volunteer. I write this to say that there can be no doubt that God will use any bad situation in our lives for our good…I write this to say that our son was dying in the days leading up to Memorial Day 2009. In my human mind it was impossible for me to see, on my own, that any good could come out of cancer quickly destroying my son’s body. On my own, I would have drowned in my fear and sadness.
As we are presented with awful things like sickness, loss, and struggles, we need to immediately and constantly remember that our focus can’t stay on the bad thing that is put before us. If we lift the sickness, the worry, and the fear up to God, it’s way easier to deal with. God’s shoulders are definitely bigger than ours and He carries the burdens much more easily. I’ve learned that first hand. If this journey has helped anyone else know that peace, then it was well worth the walk.
To honor Genre today, please let somebody know that you are so thankful for their life. Have a beautiful day!
Sincerely, Daunette Baker
