I remember a cute, bubbly 3 year old Erin (and her equally cute family) visiting Larry and I in Nashville. She rode on her dad's shoulders, pointing and laughing at the wildlife, as we walked around Radner Lake. Her mom and brother smiled and enjoyed the fun.
During her stay I learned that her favorite thing was to be dangled upside down by her ankles. It was even more fun if you included some swinging and spinning! Now it is clear that she was destined to become the young lady that she is today - a roller coaster junkie!
I only have a picture of that trip in my mind but it is vivid and it makes me happy to think of it.
This site is made up of photos, personal reflections, and short bios of Erin Fans around the world. I built this site so Erin could browse through page after page of smiling, loving faces, knowing that each face reflects someone who cares for her deeply and wants her to beat this damned disease (relapsed neuroblastoma). Take time to give Erin a boost of energy, spirit, love, and sustenance that she can draw on when she faces tough times.
Even though all the entries are dated from November 2008, it is not too late to join. I place all the entries in that month because of the quirks the Blogger has with archiving.
Instructions for Joining The Erin Project
Here's want you need to do (when I say "you," I'm talking to each one of you. Not just the ones who know us best. This applies to lurkers as well as those we see every day):
1. Send me a photo (by email: vbuenger@mays.tamu.edu; by regular mail: 4138 Cypress Road, Bryan, TX 77807) of you and anyone in your family who thinks fondly of Erin. Send it with the Subject line: The Erin Project.
2. Take a moment to capture Erin in words (a favorite story, lingering memory, small vignette that captures her for you, even adjectives will work), and send that as well (you can do the written part as e-mail, regular mail, or as a web page comment).
3. While you are at it, tell us something about yourself. Erin loved hearing all your funny middle school stories and pet stories. She really loves people, so let us know who you are and what you are like. Tell us your favorite books, music, or shows. How do you like to spend time?
You can do this in stages if you'd like. Send a picture today and the written part later or vice versa.
The important thing is to do it.
We are currently about to finish the third book of Christopher Paolini's Inheritance series: Brisinger. In it, the hero can store energy that others provide him in jewels in his belt and draw on that energy when he is weakened or faces big challenges. Think of The Erin Project as your contribution to Erin's store of energy. She can draw on it when the road gets long and hard and when she struggles under its burdens.
I'm Erin's mom. Erin was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma shortly after her fifth birthday. After frontline treatment, she was in remission for two years. Erin relapsed in March 2005. She lived with cancer every day for another four years and never let it slow her down.
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