Honor Your Mom & Raise Money For Cancer Awareness #MC #sponsored #MyHeroMom

I participated in an Ambassador Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.

This Mother's Day, I am quite nostalgic for my childhood and wish I could be with my mom on this special day. My mom means so much to me and sometimes I forget to tell her just how much. Mother's Day is the perfect time to do so during Northwestern Mutual's #MyHeroMom initiative. Through May 13th, Northwestern Mutual is asking sons, daughters and anyone wanting to honor a "heroic" mom or mother figure by simply uploading an image of them to Twitter, Instagram and/or Facebook with the hashtag #MyHeroMom. Why? Because it's always nice to tell your mom just how much you love and care about it, but also because the Northwestern Mutual Foundation will donate $5 to its nonprofit partner, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), up to $50,000, for each social action using the #MyHeroMom hashtag. For more info, just go to the Northwestern Mutual Facebook page. You can also post to social media from their page.

Alex's Lemonade Stand is an amazing foundation with a mission to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer. In particular, they want to empower children to get involved and make a difference for children with cancer! As many of you may know, my son has cancer. As of today, he has three brain tumors and is diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis(NF).  This month just happens to be NF awareness month thanks to the Children's Tumor Foundation, which is how we heard about Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation last year.


Little Liam taking a nap with Peanut Butter the bear.

As the parent of a child with cancer, I can say with complete honesty that it's tough. There is one side of cancer that is dark, ugly and just plain tough. It's so hard watching your own child suffer, get sick and go through all of the different chemotherapy treatments each week, month and year. However, there is another side to treatment that has shown me just how brave my little boy is. He is such a hero and faces all of his fears and struggles head on, smiling all the way. I am so proud of my little boy and what he has accomplished. Some days are worse than others, but I stay hopeful that one day a cure will be found, thanks to organizations and foundations just like Alex's Lemonade Stand and the other businesses that support them, such as Northwestern Mutual. Today is a good day, as I sit next to Liam, listening as he plays a game on his iPad, laughing and just enjoying being alive, out of the hospital and with his family. That's really all I can ask for!

As for my other hero, my mom, she has been such an amazing couch throughout Liam's diagnosis and treatment. She is always there for us and loves my boys like they are her own. She taught me how to love, how to be a mom and also how to be a strong woman who can accomplish her dreams. For that, I am forever grateful. She came from humble begins and worked hard to be where she is today. That showed me, even at a young age, that anything is possible. I cling to that thought each day and make it my mantra not only for my life, but for my son's. So, I just want to say thank you, mom, for all  you do for us each and every day. I cannot imagine my life without you and look forward to all of our phone calls, visits and vacations. I love you with all my heart!

Now that you've read all about my heroes, please go honor your mom or special mother figure just like we did with a photo and the #MyHeroMom hashtag. It only takes a minute and is for a great cause!

 

I participated in an Ambassador Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.