 Discovering a child has a serious illness can devastate a family. In addition to the well being of a beloved son or daughter being at stake, financial, psychological and logistical burdens loom large. As if the illness itself weren't enough, additional challenges like work absences, potential job loss, travel and overnight stays during medical treatment, and severe emotional strain all take their toll.
Here in the North State, several parents of seriously ill children have turned their personal pain into positive action, reaching out to help others experiencing similar struggles. By creating organizations that help children and families of children with life-threatening illnesses, they offer support and resources in times of need. Three of these organizations are hosting upcoming fundraisers and invite people in surrounding communities to help by attending the events, volunteering, or by making a donation.
 Max’s Miracles
Max's Miracles was created two years ago by Steve and Molly Williams, whose son Max was born with a heart defect. Five-year-old Max has survived multiple surgeries, and it's expected that he will need more. The Williamses express empathy for other families with sick kids. "We know firsthand not only the emotional, but also the financial strain that having a sick child can bring to the whole family." With a strong desire to help others in similar situations, Max's Miracles was founded as a non-profit organization, providing families of children with heart problems and other serious illnesses "smile therapy" and assistance with travel and medical expenses. Their aim is to offer children and their families a place where they can leave it all behind - at least temporarily - and to help relieve some of the financial and emotional burdens of parents while their child is receiving medical treatment.
The organization created the Miracle Ranch on the family's property in Biggs, where sick kids can visit with their families for free. The Miracle Ranch allows kids to ride a vintage logging train through apple orchards, see farm animals up close, ride horses and more. "Miracle Kids" go on outings like sporting events, fishing trips and to the zoo, all free of charge. In addition, Miracle Ranch is currently searching for a train caboose which will provide the kids and their families a fun place to stay overnight. According to Max's dad, Max's Miracles serves all of the North State, "however we would never exclude any child or family in need of our services. We have a wonderful network of friends connecting families of all types of illnesses."
Max's Miracles survives and thrives with the help of volunteers, donations and its fundraising events. During the month of October, the Miracle Ranch hosts a harvest "funraiser" that includes a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, train rides, a corn maze, petting zoo, face painting, and hay rides. Schools are encouraged to plan field trips. The Miracle Ranch is open to the public daily from 9-6 p.m. Pumpkins cost $2 and up, and there are small costs for some of the rides and events. Funds collected benefit Max's Miracles. The Miracle Ranch is located at 3476 Smith Ave. in Biggs. For more information visit www.maxsmiracles.org or call (530) 868-1026.
 The Alyssa Araiza Wings of Angels Organization
The Alyssa Araiza Wings of Angels Organization is dedicated to children with cancer & serious illness. Helping families in the North State, Wings honors the courage of Redding's nine-year-old Alyssa, who died shortly after her birthday after a five-year battle with cancer. For info: www.alyssaswingsofangels.org; (530) 378-2373. Special Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser October 17th; see our Going Places calendar for details.
 Wings of Eagles-The Joseph Alvarez Organization for Seriously Ill Children
Wings of Eagles-The Joseph Alvarez Organization for Seriously Ill Children also provides emotional and financial assistance to families, in Butte, Glenn, Tehama and Colusa counties, serving families who have children with a pediatric cancer or another life-threatening illness. The organization was established in 1993 by Georgia Alvarez in memory of her son Joseph, who died of a rare and terminal form of leukemia two years earlier. Wings of Eagles has raised over $1 million to help children in Northern California and has served hundreds of families in crisis. Preferences are given to children with cancer, single-parent families and those receiving public assistance. Benefits include prepaid gas cards, car repair, help with utility bills and necessary large appliances, hospital kits with supplies for overnight stays, gift certificates for meals, and food and holiday supplies such as Christmas gifts and Easter baskets. Wings of Eagles also provides personal support for families via phone calls, letters and home visits from board members. The organization accepts donations, and has items for sale on its website, such as hats, bags & shirts. Wings of Eagles also hosts a Bowl-A-Thon fundraising event each January. For more information visit www.wingsofeagles.org or call (530) 893-9231.
 Alexis' Dream
On October 17th, Alexis' Dream is hosting a 1.5-mile Strollathon in Chico's Bidwell Park to raise funds to support Katie's Clinic for Rett Syndrome at Children's Hospital and Research Center in Oakland. In 2006, Han and Angela Herrick were devastated to discover that their toddler Alexis, for whom Alexis' Dream was founded, was diagnosed with the neurological disorder which affects approximately 1 in 10,000 girls. Rett Syndrome shows its effects in infancy or early childhood, and shares similar characteristics with extreme autism, but is physically debilitating - those who live to adulthood need constant care.
After receiving Alexis' diagnosis, the Herricks took her to Katie's Clinic, which allows children with Rett Syndrome to see multiple specialists in one visit. The clinic provides a place for both the newly diagnosed and families of older children with Rett Syndrome to get medical advice and family support. Now in its fourth year, Katie's Clinic serves the needs of children from the entire western United States, regardless of their family's ability to pay. "Katie's Clinic has provided a lifeline for us as we've traveled down this unpredictable and difficult road," the Herricks explain. "The medical expertise as well as the emotional support has been astounding, and I honestly don't know how we would have managed without it."
The Herricks are coordinating the Strollathon in hopes of making it an annual event to raise funds to help other children with Rett Syndrome. The event is open to the public, with a 9 a.m. registration and 10 a.m. start at the Cedar Grove area of Bidwell Park. The stroll ends at One Mile Recreation Area, where kids will enjoy a bounce house, face painting, food & fun. For more information or to help or donate, visit www.alexisdream.org or call (530) 864-3234.
Writer Desiree Gonzalez lives in Chico with her husband and two children. She is curreantly working towards a master’s degree in education at California State University, Chico.
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Discovering a child has a serious illness can devastate a family. In addition to the well being of a beloved son or daughter being at stake, financial, psychological and logistical burdens loom large. As if the illness itself weren't enough, additional challenges like work absences, potential job loss, travel and overnight stays during medical treatment, and severe emotional strain all take their toll.
