Yesterday, Charlie Grady received his final chemo treatment! Since he has just been declared stable, our little hero is excused from another hard series of treatments. After nearly a year of continuous chemotherapy, he can now become a "normal" eight year-old again. The entire Grady family wishes to thank-you, for all you did to help kick-off their MiracleMakeover. The room Charlie received helped him to recover; bringing healing, hope and happiness. His brother Liam's and sister Katie's space makeovers helped them feel special, too.
Katie, age 13, has been a pillar of strength and encouragement for her little brothers. Her room makeover celebrated her interests and dreams for life: art, science, history, literature and music. Katie's desire to travel is represented by the butterfly wall above; symbolizing her "wings." Peel and stick vinyl frames from Sherwin Williams capture the cut-out butterfly images mounted with adhesive spray. The room transformation with the before image, shown left, helped her to think beyond her family's stresses and visualize a bright future. Katie's art therapy projects included shadow box collage and "heart colors" pages. The meaning of this project is embodied by the DIY party happening each week at Metamorphosis Monday. Creativity changes things! Thank-you Susan for hosting during the Miracle Makeover comments week.
" It just shows you how big of hearts people in this world can have, to come together and do something like this for my family," said Katie. She is right. That is why we designed this tag/ or optional award (we know some don't post awards) for those of you that joined in the MiracleMakeover week... and contributed comments, blog posts, emails or Facebook responses. The project tags below are jpegs that you can take for your blog or Facebook page. You can copy and paste; they can be made smaller, too. Use whichever works in your format. We appreciate you. Because of the "Design Angel" team efforts we collected 5503 comments and/ or responses to our MiracleMakeover Charlie's Room video party! Thank-you so very much. Design Gives Back donated $1 per comment so that makes $2,751.50 to be presented to Friends of Kids With Cancer. Also, $2,751.50 will go into a materials fund for another MiracleMakeover for someone in-need.
If you are just finding us here at Design Gives Back, you can read about and see the MiracleMakeover video just below. Also, you can find our kind blog hosts for the event there, too. One of which is Pink Saturday, and another, Spiritual Sunday , are parties that are happening again this weekend. Enjoy the pink tulips from Katie's room shown above.
Your kind comments keep us encouraged. We sure appreciate them.
Congratulations to everyone that participated to make this Miracle Makeover such a great success. Kelee, you are our center and God's light shines bright in you. I am proud to call you my friend.
But, the biggest congratulations are for Charlie. I can only imagine the joy of finishing your last chemo treatment. You and your family are in my heart and prayers daily. My wish for you is fun, smiles, love, adventures and a long lifetime of good health and God's comfort. And, I know your strength will lead you to your dreams.
Posted by: | 08/26/2011 at 06:18 AM
What a beautiful thing we have done!
I am continually impressed with this project.
Thank-you for including us in it....
Fondest,
Joni Cobb ASID
Posted by: Joni Cobb | 08/26/2011 at 07:52 AM
May God continue to hold His loving hands upon this beautiful family ... blessings for a wonderful life, Charlie.
As always, it is a pleasure to be a participating person in the Miracle Makeover that you have each year, Kelee. Friends coming together for another ... how beautiful to lift & bring a smile.
Thank you.
TTFN ~
Hugs & love to all ~
Marydon
Posted by: Marydon | 08/26/2011 at 09:27 AM
Great news Kelee. Love all the photos. Thank you for being such a precious angel.
Love,
Charlotte
Posted by: Charlotte | 08/26/2011 at 03:38 PM
Kelee, You truly are my shero!! I know our HEAVENLY FATHER is smiling. I was so proud to be a part of it. I actually feel a little twinge to be a winner of your give-a-ways. If there is any way to turn it into even $1.00 for your makeover, I would happily donate it.
Thx again for bringing your joy of giving to blogland.
HPS
LL
Posted by: Laura Lee | 08/26/2011 at 04:28 PM
OMG I can not believe I won anything. I never win anything. I really, really can use this .It is like a miracle! Thank-you so much Design Gives Back. This has been so great all the way around. I am grateful for all of it. Katie is so sweet and wise. So glad we could help in some small way. Huge thankful hug, DJ
Posted by: Desi Jane | 08/26/2011 at 05:53 PM
It was a pleasure having a small part in this most worthy project. May you and Charlie and all the others be richly blessed from your caring.
Posted by: LaVoice | 08/26/2011 at 07:10 PM
Wow, what a blessing! With the news of the donations and Charlies last chemo, I'm jumping up and down with joy in my heart. Kelee, design angels, and the blog hosts you've done it again! Everyone deserves a pat on the back for a job well done.
Embracing hug,
Sherry-The Design Gives Back Team
Posted by: Sherry | 08/26/2011 at 08:50 PM
Great news on Charlie's last Chemo.
The power of prayer and the generous giving of good people....
Congratulations to MM and the success of the fund drive and to all who have won something.
Honestly, I think we all are winners....
Thank you Kelee
Wishing you a beautiful weekend
Posted by: Robin | 08/27/2011 at 11:08 AM
What a fantastic report that bring joy to my heart! My God bless your ministry.
Posted by: Pamela | 08/27/2011 at 03:31 PM
Congratulations on the success of this new Miracle Makeovers campaign, Kelee! I am so happy to hear that Charlie has some stable chemo free time now to enjoy his new bedroom. He is a very inspirational little boy!
Congratulations to all the winners! I will be thrilled to display this badge on my blog!
Hugs, Pat
Posted by: Pat ~ Mille Fiori Favoriti | 08/27/2011 at 05:56 PM
I was so honored to participate. You and your entire staff of volunteers are amazing! Blessings to all of you!
Posted by: Anne | 08/27/2011 at 08:00 PM
Congratulations to everyone! Mostly, Congratulations for Charlie and his continued success! This is just wonderful!
Posted by: Terry | 08/27/2011 at 08:13 PM
ConGrats to the Winners! {= everyone involved} !!
a pleasure to participate and a delite to see the outcome all round. Cheers! YaY Charlie ") WeLL DoNe Kelee for keeping us on track... here's to nxt year <3
Posted by: faith hope & cherrytea | 08/27/2011 at 08:57 PM
Oh my such a beautiful room, such a blessing for this young woman. Gives me happy bumps to think of all the love that has been shown to this family. God Bless all who have done this beautiful work.
Posted by: Gail | 08/27/2011 at 08:59 PM
So excited to hear Charlie has finished chemo! Congrats to him and all the prize winners.
Posted by: Melissa | 08/27/2011 at 10:01 PM
Congratulations to the give away winners and may God continue Charlie's healing through this time of his life. And thanks to the sponsors for making it so easy for us to contribute by posting comments!♥♫
Posted by: Marilyn | 08/27/2011 at 10:28 PM
Dear Kelee,
You are such an angel!!! What you are doing for others is such a calling...You are truly one in a million. Sending (((hugs))) your way,
Cindy
Posted by: Cindy Adkins | 08/27/2011 at 11:05 PM
It is so uplifting and heart warming to read about Charlie's healing journey and his special family!
Brightest of Blessings to All...
I am so excited to be one of the lucky winners in your generous giveaway...Hobby Lobby WOWEE!!!
Thank you so very much
oxo
Posted by: ~*~Patty | 08/27/2011 at 11:05 PM
I love the way Katie's room turned out. The colors and fabrics definitely suit this Renaissance girl! I'm so happy for Charlie and his family. Thank you for including all of us in this wonderful miracle. Hugs, Terri
Posted by: Terri Morse | 08/27/2011 at 11:12 PM
Such fantastic news that Charlie is doing so well. Glad the chemo has finished its wonderful and what a wonderful girl Katie is, She certainly deserves her own makeover and love those butterflies. well done Katie !!!
Big hugs to you Kelee and I shall display the award proudly
hugs June xxxxxx
Posted by: june | 08/28/2011 at 04:54 AM
Dear Kelee, What a blessing that Charlie is doig so well.Kelly's room is just beautiful.What a wonderful way to make a young child's dream sweetly.Congratulations to you and the entire Design Gives Back team.
Posted by: sunny 109 | 08/28/2011 at 08:59 AM
Great news. I went through a whole year of chemo myself a couple of years ago - it's so picnic. I can't imagine being 8 years old and having to go through it. Jeez.
I too love the way Katie's room turned out. Love that green!
Congrats to the winners. But I think the biggest winner is Charlie.
Posted by: Yvette | 08/28/2011 at 04:03 PM
So glad this worked out! Thanks for the award too!
Posted by: Steph B. | 08/28/2011 at 05:11 PM
Congrats! Wonderful cause. Liz
Posted by: liz @ designing domesticity | 08/29/2011 at 07:50 AM
Yeah! we did it! Thanks for the pretty badge Kelee and team. So happy to help!
Posted by: Dina @ Hobby Lobby | 08/30/2011 at 04:57 PM
Congratulations to all the winners!!! Blessing to Charlie for his heroic & stoic character ~when I grow up I hope I am just a little like him if I am lucky.
loved meeting so many wonderful people......muwah kisses
Posted by: Chocolate Chip-anna | 09/01/2011 at 09:30 PM
HI I DID HEAR ABOUT CHARLIE.THE MIRACLE MAKE OVER,IS A WONDERFUL STORY,TO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL ROOM IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE SOUL WHEN YOU ARE SO SICK,MY HEART IS FULL OF JOY FOR CHARLIE.I HAVE BEEN IN HIS SHOES 3 YEARS AGO.GOD BLESS YOU AND CHARLY GRACE HEALT AND LONG LIFE..SINCERELY SANDRA
Posted by: sandra dias | 09/03/2011 at 09:46 PM
Such wonderful news about Charlie. I am so thankful that he will now get to return to life as a normal kid and enjoy that wonderful room that Miracle Makeover created for him. I love the work that you are doing! What a blessing to be a tiny part of it by blogging and commenting. I have 3 friends who have lost children to cancer in the last 8 years. Helping and supporting other kids with cancer and their families is an important part of my life now. I am always looking for ways to help. So thank you for providing that opportunity. God bless you!
Posted by: Vicki | 09/04/2011 at 10:45 AM
Ohhh i am so pleased, what fantastic news !! I am thrilled with the award but most of all i am thrilled for Charlie.
Sending warmest thoughts and wishes to everyone involved too
hugs June x
Posted by: june | 09/10/2011 at 10:47 AM