Glimmers of Hope This Holiday Season: Stories to Make You Believe Again
The year 2020 has been one of the most challenging situations in history for many individuals, children, and families — including the most vulnerable — across the country and around the world. But it is hardly the first time the world has been struck by a pandemic.
One day, we will put this behind us, just as other pandemics have been conquered one by one. The lesson from the past is that the best way to combat despair and fear is to give back. Give your time, give your resources, give back to help others with grace and compassion. No disease or disaster can withstand the strength of the human heart when it turns to hope and charity.
This holiday season, I encourage you to reflect on the positives, whether it’s something you’re personally thankful for this year or your hopes and dreams for a better 2021. If you need a nudge of encouragement, let these stories keep you hopeful this season:
Jazzy is the youngest of three and the only girl. She’s the apple of her family’s eye. She enjoys making crafts and slime, and she likes to dance and read. Her favorite subject is math. When Jazzy’s family learned she had medulloblastoma, a rare brain cancer, they turned to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® for her treatment and care. “When we first learned Jazzy had cancer, it was like the rug was ripped out from under us,” said Jazzy’s mom, Mykel. Today, Jazzy has completed treatment and is back home in New York.
Uuganaa thought she gave birth to a healthy baby boy in rural Mongolia. But soon, her son
Batnasan started crying persistently each night and he began to pass out inexplicably. After being evaluated by medical professionals, Batnasan was diagnosed with a heart defect. Since cardiac surgery isn’t readily available in the country, Uuganaa was put in contact with the Samaritan’s Purse team in Mongolia who confirmed that he was a candidate for heart surgery. In February 2020, Uuganaa, Batnasan, and an interpreter traveled to New York for heart surgery. Uuganaa prayed for Batnasan during the trip and recognized his successful heart surgery as an answer from God.
More than 25 years ago, Jim was diagnosed with an incurable cancer, multiple myeloma. Yet today, he’s still going strong — a “walking miracle” — and proof that cancer research is working. Jim has participated in six clinical trials with experimental drugs. “Research is the key reason that cancer is no longer a death sentence,” says Jim. “American Cancer Society funded the scientists whose work led to the drug that saved my life.”
Rick Gause of Rochester, New York, was busy balancing numerous roles when his mother-in-law, Viola Francis, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, he added another role to his list: caregiver. They attended a care partner conference hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association. “It was such an awakening to learn what resources are available and to find out that we weren’t alone out there,” Rick says. “So many people are going through the same thing.” Impressed by his dynamic speaking ability, the Association asked Rick to become a community educator. He jumped into the role, drawing from his own experiences to help other families facing Alzheimer’s. “You have to have perseverance,” Rick says. “And you need to create a plan for how you’re going to keep yourself healthy and keep your mindset clear so that you can give the person with Alzheimer’s the best love you can.”
Giving is an admission on our part that people have needs, that they are hurting, that they may be overwhelmed by the impact of this current pandemic or other challenges in their lives. Giving back reminds us to slow down, open our hearts, see where the needs are greatest and respond. For the coming holiday season, think about what needs can be met right now — and how you can help in ways great or small.
If you’re a federal civilian or military employee or retiree, please participate in Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and choose great organizations like these: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (CFC #10560), American Cancer Society (CFC #10570), American Heart Association (CFC #11236) Alzheimer’s Association (#11234), Samaritan’s Purse (CFC #10532), Susan G. Komen (CFC #10615) or Autism Speaks (CFC #12413) by visiting https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/.
And if you’re not eligible to give through CFC, I invite you to visit our website https://portal.chcimpact.org/givenow/give, and help us continue to create healthier communities during these challenging times. Or, for more stories, visit https://chcimpact.org/corporate-and-nonprofit-stories/.
Many things right now are well beyond our control. One thing we can control, however, is how we respond to crisis. We can choose to respond with grace, generosity, mercy, and compassion. Just do your best every day to spread positivity and hope when and where you can.
