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Dear Friends,
It seems not long ago (actually just a year) that I was writing a letter of introduction. I started this role as we continued navigating the ongoing global pandemic. It required us to continue finding ways to adapt and shine a light on our mission's importance.
This past year has been a productive year that would not have been possible without the support of our network of committed partners. Moving forward, we will continue to adjust to the new normal in our work environment and find our way in the ever-changing conditions.
What will never change is the dedication to our children and families.
While the concept of gathering for in-person events was precarious for our groups, we focused on hosting and supporting virtual events, which reinforced our efforts to keep connected. Through our virtual outreach, we were strengthened by the knowledge that participation was not only made possible, but grew in different ways..
I have been witness to incredible acts of generosity. ACCOIN has been the recipient of Giving that came straight from the hearts of perfect strangers to those they will never know. Those who gave expected nothing in return. That kindness has touched the life of another. That is the true meaning of philanthropy. I genuinely believe everyone is born with a desire to help others and to make a difference in any way they can. They just need an opportunity.
It is my deep belief that together we can change our small piece of the world for our kids and families.
We sincerely appreciate our amazing supporters and advocates who rallied to make good happen for our wee warriors.
I am proud to be a part of such a fantastic organization and am looking forward to building many more connections together with our community in 2022.
Thank you for wholeheartedly being a part of the American Childhood Cancer Organization Inland NW!
Peace within,
Leslie Woodfill
Executive Director
acco.org/inlandnw/
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Please contact Denise: 509.474.2759
If you would like to join one of these groups or have expertise that you would like to share.
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Holy smokes, supplies of blood, and platelets are frighteningly low, and your help is needed to save a life!
ACCOIN IS HOSTING A BLOOD DRIVE!
Please join us for a Gift of Love- Give a Pint Event.
The February 12-18 event is set up, so all you need to do is call or go online and register for a time that fits your schedule and location. But, here’s the really cool thing- share this out with your contacts, even if located outside of Spokane.
If there’s a Vitalant Center in their city- it can apply to this drive.
Here is the link to life: Make your appt today!
Here is the number: 877-25-VITAL
Please- Give A Pint & Save a Life! If you call to make your appointment, be sure to tell them you are part of the American Childhood Cancer Organization Inland NW Drive. Thank you for giving- the most valuable gift of all.
Please make your appt today. This link will take you straight to our blood drive.
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An article on grief from Unity Hospice.
Reviewing Your Grief Journey and Looking Ahead
Your Unique Grief Journey
Whether you have experienced a recent death or a death that occurred months or years ago you have experienced grief and are on your grief journey. Your journey might be filled with questions, varying emotions, changes, relief, or acceptance. Even though you may find yourself around others who are also grieving, it is important to remember that your grief journey will be unique to you.
You may have support from a variety of sources, i.e. family, friends, neighbors, a spiritual community, grief counselor, support group or even a social group. Sometimes you reach out to these support systems as though they are your lifeline. Other times you may find reassurance that the supports are there as quiet pillars in the background. The support you receive is important, but it still does not define your grief journey. It is a piece of the puzzle that helps you through.
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cont:
Common Themes in Grief
While there is no “typical grief journey” there are often common themes. In the early parts of your grief journey you may experience a roller coaster of emotions with many ups and downs, twists and turns, and starts and stops. You might even feel like you are going backwards at times. You may question if what you are going through is normal. For some there may even be periods of denial where you know the death occurred, but you still anticipate seeing the person who died, as if they would walk through the door at any moment.
As your journey continues and reality sets in you may have periods of time where your grief is almost too much to bear. With time, many people indicate that despite the hard moments, they also begin to notice they have a few good hours or, eventually, days that are strung together. For many, grief is a slow and gradual process with many difficult moments. It can seem like a continual dance of two steps forward and one step back.
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cont:
As you continue on your journey you may feel like you are making some sense or order of the chaos by finding and creating a rhythm and routine that works for you. This does not mean you have forgotten about the person who has died or how they have impacted your life. You may find that thoughts and memories of the person come to mind on special occasions and holidays, or even suddenly and unexpectedly which may bring tears to your eyes or a smile to your face. You may develop rituals and traditions to remember the deceased person and continue their legacy.
Take a Look Back and a Look Ahead
No matter where you are in your grief journey, it is okay. It will continue in whatever way and at whatever pace it needs to. There is no right or wrong to a grief journey, it just is. Along the way you may find it helpful to reflect on your grief by looking at where you have been and where you are going.
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Our Bereaved Parents Group meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 2pm- 3 pm
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It is GALA TIME!
We are looking for committee members! The LIGHT THE WAY GALA is going to be live this year and that means we need a dedicated committee. Are you interested? please give Lesli a call:509.995.5431 or email: lesliewoodfill@accoinlandnw We'd love to have you! (The Gala will be on 9/30/2022)
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Speaking of the GALA...
Mark your calendars now! We are planning to be in person!
Also, if you have any items to donate for the silent auction or an experience for the LIVE auction, please give Leslie a call:509.995.5431
We are also looking for sponsors!
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Happiness is something that we measure over time. Joy is about feeling good in the moment, and it’s really about these small and simple moments. ~Ingrid Fetell Lee
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In conversation with Ingrid Fetell Lee
Q:
Does joy have the capacity to influence our well-being?
A:
Yes, in a profound way. Research shows that experiencing little moments of joy on a regular basis reduces stress. When we undergo something very stressful, if we have a moment of joy, it can actually speed the physical recovery from stress, too. Over time, that can have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. Joy has even been connected in some studies to longevity.
Joy also has effects on our mind. In some studies, people are up to 12 percent more productive when they are feeling joy. There’s also research that shows, for example, negotiators are more likely to reach win-win agreements when they are feeling joy. Businesspeople take account of more scenarios when they’re making decisions. Joy seems to sharpen our minds and increase our cognitive flexibility.
There’s also research that connects experiences of joy, and particularly sharing joy with other people, to improved relationships. When we share little moments of joy with other people, it forms a signal that lets them know that we’re actually going to be there for them not just when things are good but when times are tough.
Joy is a contagious emotion, and one of the more intriguing findings is that joy makes us more physically attractive. Scientists have found that when supposedly average-looking faces are smiling, people rate them as more attractive than “good-looking” faces that are not smiling. So when we exhibit joy, we actually end up attracting others, which of course makes us feel more connected to the world around us.
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Adopt A Family
We had a such a warm and full support of our 71 families that were adopted this Christmas!
Thank you to all the businesses, individuals and families that brought such joy and peace this holiday season.
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Have you ever sat in a room with a hungry child, and you forgot to pack snacks, and if you just had a little pack of crunchies, the world would be set back on its axis?
Or been at an appointment so long you can't remember when you woke up that day and just how much longer you would need to wait, and the thought of your hands around a cup of hot coffee and the aroma of its comfort wafting into your senses make you drool.
Would you like to help provide some relief to these kids and their caregivers?
Attached is a link to our Amazon Wish List.
It is like Christmas here when boxes of snacks roll in with our UPS person. Of course, we are all excited, and it's fun to see our delivery person get excited too, knowing in a small way they are delivering the joy that someone else's heart arranged.
Thank you for your consideration.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/BHQL13YQCS31?ref_=wl_share
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