Thank you!

Thanks to you, we are excited to say that we have passed our goal of raising $1,000 for CURE Childhood Cancer!! As of tonight, you have donated $1,500 in honor of Elena to CURE Childhood Cancer!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Your donations will help fund research that will lead to better treatments and a cure for pediatric cancer. CURE's goal was to raise $60,000 in the month of September while honoring special CURE kids each day of the month who have been affected by childhood cancer. They have surpassed that goal and have currently raised over $73,000!!

Founded in 1975, CURE Childhood Cancer is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through research, education and support of patients and their families. Since its establishment as a grass-roots organization, CURE has focused its efforts on improving the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with cancer.

We are grateful to have an organization like CURE who not only helps meet immediate physical and emotional needs of families dealing with cancer, but who also work tirelessly to help find a cure.


Thank you for your continued love, support, and prayers for our family!
In Him,
The Tates

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Dear Family and Friends,

When Elena was diagnosed with leukemia on April 6, 2009, we were as frightened as any parents could be. We were not only terrified by the realization that our child had a disease that could prove terminal, but that there was no clear cut cure or plan of attack to follow. Since Elena’s diagnosis, there has been little improvement. One of the factors for this is the severe lack of awareness of childhood cancer.

Did you know September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month? If you didn’t, you’re not alone. Many people do not know what the month signifies. Yet every day, two full classrooms of kids are diagnosed with cancer. And still, only 2% of federal funding for cancer research is directed at solving cancers that impact our children.

While doctors and researchers have made strides in the battle against so many other types of cancer, the lack of funding and awareness for our children has led to an insignificant improvement in survival rates for pediatric cancer over the past decade. As a result, cancer continues to be the number one disease killer of children in our country, more than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis and pediatric AIDS combined! So how does childhood cancer become a priority cause in this country? The journey begins with each of us. We need your help to raise more funds and more awareness.

Throughout the month of September, we are participating in an initiative called “CURE’s Kids Conquer Cancer One Day at a Time.” On September 19th, Elena will be honored. CURE Childhood Cancer will feature her story on this web site www.firstgiving.com/2010curekidelenatate . Our goal is to raise $1,000 on Elena’s day in her honor to help fund research that will lead to better treatments and cures for pediatric cancers.

We hope you will consider donating in Elena's honor. We would also like for you to share Elena’s story with your friends and family. Together, we can make curing childhood cancer as urgently important as it should be.

In Him,

Christy and Mark

Time to Catch Up

Sorry it has been so long between posts!
I forget how crazy it gets when summer is over and it's back to school! Early mornings, homework, projects, late nights. Then, when we think we are finally getting into a routine, we hit a bump in the road. But things are looking good right now and we are enjoying each weekend that comes our way!

Some things we have been enjoying...
Friday nights at the pool

A great event at Turner Field called Hit a Home Run for Camp Sunshine. The girls took their picture with two Braves players and we all enjoyed a great game in a suite.

The girls interview on 750WSB for the Care-a-Thon to benefit the Aflac Cancer Center at CHOA. The 37 hour event raised over $1.5 million dollars this year!
The girls gave a GREAT interview!



A service project at church called "Pray and Wash". The kids washed cars for free. While waiting for your car, you could pray in the church.



Tailgating before the LSU/NC game with family from La. It was fun to hang out all day!!


Spending time with our friends Cori and Phil. Cori took some more family pictures for us.
The first two pics below are from their previous visit to our house this summer. Cori and Phil will be welcoming baby Cooper to their family in October. We are all excited about that!


Check out the sneak peak of the family photo shoot from my camera.

LOVE THOSE GIRLS!

Add several clinic visits to the Aflac Cancer Center to all of this and you have a busy family!


Thanks for continuing to check in on us and for praying!
Enjoy your weekend! We plan to!

In Him, The Tates

"Whoever abides in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 "I tell you this so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15:11