10 years. It has been exactly 10 years since I filed for the incorporation of Compass to Care in the state of Illinois. I worked tirelessly on the business plan for the next 4 months before filing for our 501(c)(3) with the IRS. And though we consider March 2010 our anniversary date, this is truly our born on date. And it is one that holds such significance for me.

It meant – I was really doing this – even though most people thought I was nuts! (Dad!) I was really going to jump into a world where I knew very little so I could create a place for families to turn when their children are fighting cancer. It was an outward expression of the gratitude I had, and still have, for my parents who gave everything to save my life so many years ago. It was a leap of faith that those who heard our story would want to stand by our side to help children and families they will likely never meet.

And by the grace of God, it started from that one piece of paper and grew into an organization that currently supports children from Alabama, California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. It helps each of these children travel with the hope of seeking a cure from cancer that has stricken their little bodies.

We have raised $2.4 million. We have supported almost 500 CHILDREN. We have paid for 12,400 TRIPS for these children to travel 1.58 MILLION MILES to seek cancer treatment.

Through it all, we have had the support from family, friends, and strangers, who we now call friends. Each learned about our mission and felt compelled to lend a hand to a child who deserves every chance to grow up. We have been a place for parents to turn for a little relief during some of the darkest days. We have been a critical part of saving many lives and we have mourned the children who were called home way too soon.

And for 10 years of the support you have offered to Compass to Care and the support you have allowed us to give families braving childhood cancer, I extend my most sincere gratitude. Together, we have made a difference