Imagine your child has cancer.
Imagine his or her treatment is at a stage that being home for Christmas is not possible.
Daniel and Melisa Fulling are parents that do not have to imagine this scenario. They lived it as their youngest son, Cameron, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor about five weeks from his third birthday. Cameron fought his condition valiantly, having endured 35 radiation treatments to treat the first tumor. The cancer returned and Cameron would go through 80 radiation treatments, unending chemotherapy and nine brain surgeries before his death on April 6, 2017, just 12 days short of his 10th birthday.
Yet, Cameron lived a full life, his parents say and thus the title of the non-profit established in his memory: Live Like Cameron.
“Our inspiration comes from our son,” Melisa explained. “This is to keep his memory alive and to help families whose children are dealing with cancer that need help.”
And Melisa knows from firsthand experience just what those families need: Gift certificates for meals out because they are most often far from driving distance to their home, games, puzzles and toys to help their children stave off boredom while in the hospital and cozy, comfy blankets and sheets to replace the less-than-homey feeling ones provided by the hospital.
“Cameron hated the sheets in the hospital,” she told Palm Coast Magazine.
Thus a mainstay in the deliveries she brings to children fighting cancer are soft blankets and sheets — often reflecting whatever holiday is closest on the calendar. For December, that means anything and everything Christmas.
“Melisa goes to every retail store in Flagler and Volusia counties from Wal-Mart, Target and Ross to get themed blankets and sheets for these children just to make their holiday special,” Daniel said.
As the calendar turns to December, the Palm Coast-based organization is ramping up its fundraising efforts to secure enough money to pay for nearly 40 “Bags of Hope” deliveries to children spending the holidays in cancer treatment wards at three Florida hospitals.
Each bag — complete with the soft bedding, decorations for the room, a bit of candy and gifts — costs approximately $500.
As of the end of December, Live Like Cameron has a way to go to meet its 2021 goal.
Dan and Melisa hope that the second annual, “Shave for the Brave,” fundraiser scheduled for Sunday, December 12 at Fletcher’s Irish Pub located at 393 Granada Blvd in Ormond Beach will net the remainder of what is needed.
The event runs from noon to 7 PM with shaving starting at 3 PM. Area barbers have volunteered their time and skill to publicly shave teams of eight that raised $2,000 or individuals donating $100 the day of the event.
“Shaving is done outside so all in attendance can watch the fun,” Daniel explained.
Other December fundraisers include the following:
- A December 4 arts and crafts vendor event from 9 AM to 1 PM at Pisces Nutrition located at 604 E. Moody Blvd, Suite 3 in Bunnell.
- A car show on December 5 at Madden’s Ace Hardware located at 261 Ridgeway Ave. in Holly Hill.
It’s a lot of activity in a couple short weeks, but for Dan and Melisa raising funds and helping families is their joy.
“Just to see these kids smile even for a moment makes it all worthwhile,” she said.
Editor’s Note: For those interested in putting a face to the names of Flagler County children battling cancer, an awareness tree featuring photos of 24 area children is on display at the Palm Coast Library located at 2500 Palm Coast Parkway NW in Palm Coast.
You can learn more about Live Like Cameron online at www.livelikecameron.org.
— Amy Armstrong