Day 15 of 25 DAYS OF HUGGING:
John McNicholas and his family hold a very special place in Christina’s heart, and in her family’s as well. John’s father, Ed, and Matt stood close by each other every day on the Board of Trade floor. From that awful day in early 2010 when we learned John had been diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor until God called him home in 2011, Christina made sure her family prayed for the John and his family, and she helped Matt try as best he could to support Ed at any opportunity he could. And she made sure to hug her children all the more because of this experience. She was unable to comprehend why a beautiful young man like John had to suffer. When Ed and Amy started the John McNicholas Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in Spring of 2011 to fight this disease and honor their great son, Christina made sure that the family knew we were there to support them and honor John and all he means to this world. I can still remember Christina crying the day John’s pain ended and again the day she wrote that first check to support his charity’s big fundraiser, a great softball tournament at St. Rita High School that raises an amazing amount of money for research and support every year.
The McNicholas family and all the wonderful people of the Beverly neighborhood in Chicago are tireless advocates for these children who must battle an awful villain. Their devotion to finding the positives in the midst of what most would consider an unimaginable experience helped John, Donna and Matt through our awful experience. Not surprisingly, Ed and Amy were there to support us after Christina passed, and we are certain that Christina was instrumental in Amy talking with Donna and inviting her to interview for a position with the Live Like John Service and Leadership Institute. Donna has found some measure of comfort and certainly a full measure of purpose in her time on the Junior Board of the John McNicholas Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and she is already regretting that her official time will end with her graduation from high school next spring. But just like her mother, Donna will always be there to keep passing hugs and support to the Board and the volunteers from both Christina and her. The McNicholas family and “Live Like John” are the manifestation of what hugging is all about: a mix of comfort, support, understanding, devotion and love all expressed in one squeeze.
For more information about this great organization and all they do to make a difference in our children’s lives, please visit www.livelikejohn.org.
Please consider a donation to the charity at www.celebratingchristina.org/donate.
One day, one goal, one big hug at a time.