The Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation gives a parent the gift of time to stay home and manage the all-encompassing affairs of caring for a child diagnosed with life-threatening cancer.

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Kathryn added a new message (see below)

We are pleased to announce our second "gift of time" award in the amount of $25,000 to the Nathan and Dawn Carlson family of Janesville, Iowa. The Carlson's 2 1/2 year-old-son, Elijah, has spent much of his short life fighting a rare, aggressive form of infant cancer. Elijah underwent a bone marrow transplant from his 10-year-old brother, Isaiah, at the University of Minnesota Children's Hospital, Fairview in Minneapolis, MN. In January 2008, Elijah and his mom got to go home for the first time in seven months. In February, they found out Elijah had relapsed for the 2nd time. Dawn Carlson states, "We realize that a day will come when we have to say goodbye to our baby boy, but until then we are doing everything and anything we can do to prolong the arrival of that day. Yet another day we praise our wonderful, almighty Lord for giving us another day on this earth as a family!"

Nathan continues to work at John Deere while Dawn quit her job when Elijah was diagnosed. The family has struggled to maintain not only their Iowa household for their other two children, Isaiah and Chloe (age 5), but also the secondary household in Minnesota during the months that Elijah was undergoing treatment.

The Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation provides the opportunity for a parent to stay home from work full-time to manage the all-encompassing affairs of caring for a child with life-threatening cancer. Learn more about Elijah's story at www.carepages.com (page name: elijahcarlsoncarepage).

We'll be making a presentation to the Carlson family on Monday, May 12.

Registration is open for the 2nd Annual Tournament for Time Golf Tournament! This exciting golf tournament weekend will be fun-filled with a Friday evening Wine & Cheese Event, Saturday's Golf Tournament with celebrity golfers and an evening Hawaiian themed pig roast with entertainment by the Bluez Brotherz Band! For you nongolfers who would like to join the fun, we have a limited number of Saturday night dinner-only tickets. Make your online reservations today!

Message From Kathryn

PRAYERS FOR ELIJAH CARLSON AND HIS FAMILY

The Szott Foundation recently awarded another family the "gift of time". At our board meeting last Thursday, we chose the Nathan and Dawn Carlson family as the recipient. Their little Elijah is fighting for his life.

A few weeks ago Dawn and Nathan decided to stop any further aggressive chemotherapy. Sadly, there comes a time sometimes in the lives of these precious children inflicted with cancer that parents must make another difficult decision as to the care of their beloved child. The decision to say "enough is enough" is by far the most difficult. Usually, the notion to stop treatment to "cure" the cancer arrives with the help of the physician. What to do when that time comes, however, is left entirely up to the parents and God. I can tell you, it is a most lonely place to be. No parent should ever have to face such a grim position. Unfortunately, no matter what, there will always be "what ifs" and "what ifs" rock one's emotional stability at any given time. We must thank the Lord that Dawn feels God's peace about their decision. It is that peace that passes all human understanding.

On Sunday, I was outside working in the garden, thinking about summer, enjoying the new warmth of the sunshine, planning what I would put in my various gardens. My thoughts quickly shifted to the Carlson family. This carefree moment in which I was relishing is an unheard of, unthinkable place for a family who will shortly be saying good-bye to their darling baby. I am so sorry because I know the pain of that place so well.

Dawn told me that on Monday, Elijah played in the dirt for the first time in his 2 1/2 year old life. She said, "He helped Mommy plant a vegetable garden." That moment in time will be indelibly printed in her memory. What a merciful gift! She watched her three children play together and listened to the song of their laughter.

I am so proud and honored to award them the Andrew and Abby Szott Foundation's "gift of time" because it will soften their heartache in one small, but hugely important way. They will be able to pay off a debt that has accumulated since Elijah's mom had to quit her job when he was diagnosed two years ago. We are so grateful to the many people who had their hand in making this possible. On behalf of our Board of Directors, and myself we deeply thank you.

Faith, Endurance, Courage, Hope

Kathryn

Click here to learn how the "Gift of Time" application process works


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