THE EVENT IN MEGHAN’S LIFE THAT STARTED MEGHAN’S MOUNTAIN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC.

In 2005 Meghan became a patient at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, Washington for a stem cell transplant. After an approximate four-month stay, Meghan returned home under very tight restrictions that would allow her immune system to return to normal. Meghan returned to Seattle for her one-year checkup at which time her restrictions were lifted.

Her dad, knowing how difficult the year was, offered to take Meghan to downtown Seattle for a “well deserved buying spree”. Meghan remained silent in her answer, but during lunch, for reasons her dad still cannot fully understand, she asked to visit the children fighting cancer at Seattle Children’s.

After a phone call to the doctor saying such a visit was now permissible, they headed to Children’s Hospital. After meeting one of the advocates and learning what patients they could and could not visit, they began walking the floor. Soon Meghan stopped at a room where she saw a child of Hispanic descent who was about 13 years old. Meghan entered the room and began a conversation with this child who also was fighting leukemia. In the corner was her mother who could not speak English. Meghan discovered that the child had to interpret to her mother whatever was transpiring in her hospital stay. She also learned the child had other siblings, so her mother could not be with her every day. That meant this child was left alone in a hospital room without family constantly present.

After about thirty minutes of conversation Meghan asked the child what she wanted for Christmas, even though this visit was during the summer. The child answered, “I have never had a boom box”. With that Meghan said she hoped to see her again.

Upon leaving the room Meghan said “Dad, did you see what was in her room. She had nothing. No radio, no computer, no cards from anyone on the walls, nothing … she had nothing. You want to take me on a shopping spree, then take me to buy a boombox”.

Arriving at the closest shopping center Meghan found a boombox…and mind you it was no ordinary boombox! She then proceeded to a Hallmark type store and after telling the employee her story, they found Christmas paper and ribbons and of course, a Christmas card. Needless to say, there was no charge.

After wrapping the boom box Meghan returned to the hospital and entered the young lady’s room.  There are no words to describe the expression on that young child’s face when she opened the present. Tears from the child, tears from the mother and yes, tears from daddy Steinberg.

As Meghan turned to leave, the mother said something in her native language. The young girl translated for her mother saying, “For every day of my life, I shall pray for Meghan.”

And that is how Meghan’s Mountain became a reality. Our dollars go directly to benefit the cancer patient and/or their family members. They must know that they will never climb their mountain alone.

MEGHAN’S MOUNTAIN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION LIGHTS MOUNTAINS FOR THOSE FIGHTING CANCER