Some of you may already know about my affliation with childhood cancer. For those that do not, in Jan 2001, we lost are then youngest daughter (Libby) to this dreaded disease. She was just 17 months old.

To honor her memory and help others, my wife and I founded a non-profit organization called Home of Their Own, Inc. Since then, we have raised nearly $250k to help some really special kids (and their families) in a very unique way.

Home of Their Own (or, HoTO) provides FREE isolation housing for kids who have undergone bone marrow transplants. We have a "home" in Hershey, Pa across from the children's hospital bought by the organization.

The service that we offer to families is invaluable and the support is greatly appreciated...we are too glad to help.

About two weeks ago, we had a new family move in. Our families generally stay for about 2 weeks to 5 months and pay for NOTHING while they are there.

This time the patient was a 15 year old boy named Tyler. He is an awesome kid who I grew fond of from the first moment I met him. Of course, it did not hurt that he drives a 2001 Mustang.

The thing is, he drove this car from Colorado to St. Judes in TN. While at St. Judes he underwent a bone marrow transplant which did not get the desired results. So, he left TN for PA where he is undergoing a last-ditch, clinical trial to try and save his life. Tyler has not been home in 6 months and has been sick for over three years!

On my way home after meeting Tyler, my gears began to turn and I decided to do something special for this kid...and his Mustang.

So I called people and I sent emails. Mustang Tuning and CJ Pony Parts both stepped up to the plate. With MT providing the parts, and CJ's providing the labor, young Tyler received his surprise today. His 2001 Mustang has new rims, new tires, and a nice brand-new dual exhaust.

Tyler was shocked as he had no idea of the surprise! I was glad to help and I know Tyler has many more plans for his car, but like all of us, sometimes life gets in the way. In Tyler's case, he will be finally going home soon, back to Co. to see his friends etc...

Keep this guy in your thoughts and prayers, he still has a lot of healing to do. We wish him all the luck in the world. Beat this disease Tyler, we know you can do it....we know you will.

Thanks,

Blake

 

Wow thats awesome to hear. What an great thing to do for someone, especially in his time of need and situation.
My buddy just got out of the hospital from cancer for the 2nd time in his life. He had cancer as a child and fought it off with treatments, and it came back in his early 20s. He went through a lumbar puncture, a central line in his chest, multiple radiation treatments, and a bone marrow transplant. Hes still on the road to recovery from all the drugs and treatment he recieved but its great to know hes going to be around.

 

Thats amazing blake!! did he say where in Colorado he lives?

 

Blake, thats amazing. Seeing him happy in that pic makes me get a lump in my throat. I pray that the last chance thing will go well, and I commend you on doing something like this. Thats great, and it gives me hope for the world that there are still people like you out there. Must be an Eagle scout thing.

 

Thats awesome blake...I hope everything goes well for him

 

Awesome Blake, I also have a lump in my throat. It's good people in the world like you that give some hope and relief to cancer patients. I wish I could have done something like that when she had cancer. But keep up the good work, I wish more people would take the innitiative like you have. Its things like this that make life more enjoyable.

 

Due to confidentiality issues (I have to abide by the new rules) I won't give his last name, his city, or any more specifics about his disease. I know you mean well being from Co., but I need to keep it that way.

 

Dude... you kick ***. I don't even know what to say, but this one really hit me.

Props to you for all you're doing for these families.

 

Very cool Blake.

 

Hehe, Blake looks like a big pumpkin.

Glad to help out Blake

 

thats awesome man.. My mom works in a childrens hospital and i see lots of those kids and i wish i could do something for them but im only 15 so it isnt possible yet. but im glad to know that there are people like you out there doing something for them. Kudos man.

 

first thing that has touched me in a while wut someone said above lumb in throat

 

That's a very touching story Blake. I've seen a lot of cancer in my family and it's an awful thing. I hope that he can beat it. He'll be in my prayers.

 

Its good to know, there are alot of good people out there like you blake..

 

Speechless. Wish there were more people like you. Dunno what else to say except that's awesome.

 

Thats a very great thing to do Blake. my wife was in tears when she first read the post, as we too donate money for cancer (Saint Jude's Children Hospital, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, and the American Breast Cancer Foundation). There should be more ppl like you in the world.

 

I received word this evening that Tyler past away this afternoon. This has been a long haul for this family, since Tyler (15) was diagnosed with cancer three years ago.

This young man had been through a lot...more then you could imagine. Selfishly, I am greatful to have been part of his life. I am a better person because I can say that I knew him.

Tyler was a fabulous young man who is survived not only by his immediate family, but also by his grandparents and girlfriend. While I never met her, she sounds like a spcecial lady especially considering that the romance began after his diagnosis.

There are soo many things that Tyler will never know or do... whenever a young person looses their life, it is always tragic. But I must say, this situation hurts more becuase I feel his life was stolen and I know he could have helped made the world a better place.

"Tyler, so long buddy. I wish I could have spent more time with you". The world and our Mustang community has suffered a great loss.

Please keep Tyler in your thoughts and prayers.

Blake

 

I will defintely keep him my thoughts and prayers. I can relate to your loss Blake I lost my mother that way. Its just a shame he was so young and didnt get the chance to live a long life. But at least he is in a much better place thats for sure.

 

Sad day for sure Boss.Wish we could have helped in some way too.

 

Wow...I wanted to meet him..its unreal

 

So very sorry to hear about Tyler. I know he's in a better place. My prayers will be with his family.

 

Ciao Blake,
in this days, where everybody think just about theirs self, we really need persons like you and your wife. A Big hug to you and my Best wish to Tyler.

 

I've just read the Bad news. There are not propers word to use

 

Hey MT's#1Customer!, that is absolutely awsome. Sounds like you have totally turned around the tragedy of your daughter's death to a celebration and meaning of/to her life.

I don't know how hard it would be, but maybe you could take this same idea and push it a little further, in that what if you could get a local Ford Dealer, or perhaps even through Corporate Ford, to donate a Mustang, then do the same deal on it, as you did for Tyler, then run an on-line and/or off-line auction for it, to benefit HoTO.

It's similar to what MaximumPC (I don't know how familiar you may be with them or not) did to benefit the Red Cross in relation to Katrina. They got a whole slew of computer parts manufacturers to donate their particular piece/component, and built two insane computer systems, one a desktop, the other a laptop, then put them up on E-Bay, and gave 100% to the Red Cross.

just an idea/thought.

 

knowing there are some many caring people on this web site is good to know sorry about your loss but you guys are amazing

 

You have some good ideas! Some things we have tried. Before the release of the 2005 Mustang, I tried to merely by one at a discount that we could raffle, but could not get it to happen.

Unless you have a larger backer who is personally connected to the organization, it is really, really hard.

 

wow, thats an awesome story. i recently overcame cancer 2 yeas ago. it was awesome to know that i had people who cared about me during that time of my life, and i bet that kid felt the same way.

 

That is great! It is nice to hear the good stories.