Welcome to Funky Cards
Honoring a Special Father
Andrew, Ashley, Sandy, Raelynn, Reggie (Dad), and Ryan
The
I Feel the Love Project will be collecting cards in May for Reggie
Nelinger so that they can be given to him in June in time for Father's
Day. We would like Mr. Nelinger to know just how much we love and
support him as an amazing father to his four beautiful children. This
project will be a complete surprise to him as it is being arranged by
the IFTL Project and his family.
Fifteen years ago, Reggie Nelinger, an electrician,
held the hand of his sweet 5 year-old daughter, Ashley, while his wife,
Sandy and her little brother, Andrew, heard the doctor state their
daughter/sister had Wilms', a rare kidney cancer
that primarily affects children. Reggie was there being the best dad he
could be all those long days and nights as his sweet daughter fought for
her life. She beat the odds that were stacked against her despite losing one of her kidneys. For the next decade and a half Reggie got to see his daughter grow into a beautiful young lady.
Reggie was able to teach Ashley to drive, take her camping, watch her
graduate from high school and begin to plan her life out as a young
adult. He was blessed and understood the blessing God gave him with
Ashley and never took for granted the gift that was given to him as a
father.
This
past January, Ashley was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer
completely unrelated to the cancer she had as child. It is called
rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive cancer of the connective tissues, which
in Ashley’s case is attached to her sinus passage. Not only is this
cancer a bit of a medical baffle due to its rare state, but Ashley only
has one kidney and that makes chemo and other forms of treatment more
challenging to treat than normal. Reggie and his wife are now watching
their child battle for her life once again.
All
the painful memories of the first battle are brought back to memory, as
well as the feelings of helplessness, sleepless nights, and the worry
about finances. For Reggie there is the added burden to be a provider
for his family in a time when all he wants to do is be there by his
child's side. It is Reggie's big heart and positive outlook that
helps his family lead the fight for Ashley's life all the while helping
to maintain some level of normalcy for his other three other children
and wife during this difficult situation. Reggie
is a dad that needs to be recognized, a dad that has not only stared
every parent's worst nightmare in the face once, but now twice.
****Please help us to honor Reggie by creating a card for him that says thinking of you, stay strong, great job dad... or whatever moves you. Thank you so much. It will mean more than you know to Reggie and his family.
If you are so inclined, you can
also create a card for Ashley as well.
To
follow Ashley's progress and/or to find out how you can make a donation towards Ashley's treatment-
Facebook page - Angels for Ashley Nelinger
or send an email to apieceoflifespie@gmail.com
If you would like to be a part of this project...
All you need to do is:
Submit your hand crafted card/s by May 31st to:
Madison Womack
IFTL Project
P.O. Box 1203
Atascadero, CA 93423
Project #21
Please
share your project with everyone by linking it to the I Feel the Love
Project photo gallery before you put it in the mail. Click HERE to find the photo gallery.
Thank you all in advance. This could never work with out you and all your continued support. Spread the word!
The I Feel the Love Project is now on Twitter. Follow us at:
@IFTLProject
~Madison
