Karina Bland (@karinabland) 's Twitter Profile
Karina Bland

@karinabland

Lead writer at ALSAC/@StJude. stjude.org/inspire | Before: Columnist, The Arizona Republic, @azcentral | bit of a smart mouth

ID: 55088497

linkhttps://www.stjude.org/inspire.html calendar_today09-07-2009 00:50:49

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Pro Football Hall of Famer Howie Long first met Owen when the boy was 5 St. Jude. 12 years later, they met again at Legends for Charity in Phx during #SuperBowl week. ā€œTo see him now, as a high schooler, a cross country runner — I’m speechless,ā€ Long said. stjude.org/inspire/series…

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From the moment Megan saw the photograph from the adoption agency, she knew she would do anything for her new daughter — and she'd have to. To save her life. stjude.org/inspire/series…

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I learned so much writing this mom’s story. The best route up Mount Kilimanjaro. How quickly life can change. How cancer ruins every plan. Please give it a read. St. Jude stjude.org/inspire/series…

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When Tom climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (the first time), a guide told him, ā€œThis will be the hardest thing you have ever done in your life.ā€ Tom had just smiled. He’d done something harder. (Click on picture to read his story.) stjude.org/inspire/series…

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Tammy Whitworth became a CEO overnight after the unexpected death of her husband because they'd made a promise to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A promise she wanted to keep. stjude.org/inspire/series…

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Five months into cancer treatment St. Jude, Beckett was madly missing his brother and sisters in Michigan. So, with six days until Beckett’s next round of chemotherapy, his parents decided to make a surprise visit home. (Click pic for story and video.) stjude.org/inspire/series…

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Natalie's family came to St. Jude to celebrate her No More Chemo party. For a year, scans showed she was cancer-free. But instead of confetti, her doctors asked to speak privately with her parents. In that instant, her mom knew. There would be no party. stjude.org/inspire/series…

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Darren Warren was waiting to use the pay phone St. Jude when he heard the woman’s voice break. She was crying, the handset pressed to her ear. ā€œI’m just calling to let you know, my baby got her wings.ā€ What Darren did with those words is incredible. stjude.org/inspire/series…

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Phil Donahue listened — and learned. "An education not available in any university." A staunch St. Jude supporter, Donahue also got schooled when he asked a patient who lost an arm to cancer but swam and played baseball, ā€œIs there anything you CAN'T do?ā€ stjude.org/inspire/series…

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When Bridget returned from St. Jude, people lined her street, chanting her name and waving welcome-home signs. For Bridget, it was overwhelming to be the focus of so much attention. But when you’re a kid who lost a leg to cancer, you don’t get to be shy. stjude.org/inspire/series…

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Scott Hinshelwood was giving a tour of St. Jude when a mom pushing her little girl in a wheelchair asked where she could buy the T-shirt he was wearing. The front of Scott's T-shirt said, ā€œThis shirt saves lives.ā€ He’s proof of that. stjude.org/inspire/series…

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For this story, I talked to Beckett’s parents as they prepare for the holidays. I was reminded that we still have plenty to be grateful for. stjude.org/inspire/series…

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An unexpected kindness brought light to St. Jude patient Griffin’s Hanukkah family tradition just when they’d given of hope. stjude.org/inspire/series…

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It's rare that I take advice from a teenager, but what 17-year-old Reid told me hit differently because of what he's been through. Soak up life. It’s what he does, because he almost didn’t get the chance. stjude.org/inspire/series…

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On stage, Emily and her sibling Callie harmonize seamlessly: ā€œTake cover my love/the storm’s coming for us tonight.ā€ Even from audience, their connection is unmistakable. Together, they faced their greatest storm. Music helped got them through it. stjude.org/inspire/series…

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I LOVE a good love story, and what Griffin loves most about Emily is her zest for life. She takes joy in everyday things. Afternoon walks. Playing outside with their dog. Singing along to showtunes in the car. Maybe because Emily almost didn't get a life. stjude.org/inspire/series…

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At 9, Sabrina didn't tell anyone she was afraid during cancer treatment St. Jude. Her mom called her ā€œa little soldier.ā€ So Sabrina wrote poetry, pouring her fears into notebooks. My favorite starts: ā€œWhen I was nine I was prepared for my funeralā€¦ā€ stjude.org/inspire/series…

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Her mom wasn’t sure how Natalie would handle a new sibling. She was the family’s baby and doted on during her cancer treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A big sister for the first time, "she's found her calling." stjude.org/inspire/series…