How are you giving thanks? I have an idea.

It's been a while since I have brought us all back to the fact that cancer research costs money. Lots of it. Especially since so little federal money or even private money goes towards pediatric cancer research like neuroblastoma. Did you know that essentially the American Cancer Society gives no money to fund neuroblastoma research? If you give $1 to ACS, half of one penny would fund NB. ACS does wonderful things, but if you want to help kids with NB, give someplace else. I have two suggestions for you. The first is to donate directly to a research fund; the second involves the purchase of a gift to which the proceeds go to research. The details...first, I would like you to donate lots of money to the Sam and Penelope fund during these holidays - or maybe you should consider just having a monthly amount automatically debited from your check. Here is an idea, take the money you would spend on a few Christmas gifts for your kids, and all of you as a family can give this gift instead. (-; We still feel strongly about funding the projects that this money supports because this money goes directly to the Vermont Cancer Center, into Dr. Sholler's lab, and into innovative research that targets NB. You may recall that the S&P fund is the one we designated in Paul's memory. It will be a nice gift to us to see the list of so many of you that gave families this gift. I will create a link on the side-bar to make this a permanent place on this blog. Second, remember the Children's Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation's Lunch-for-Life? They are back at it with a cool Christmas gift option - a cookbook - that will help raise NB research money; click the LFL link above or on the side bar; there should be some information there soon about purchasing a cookbook. OK. Now it's your turn to stop reading and start giving.