When I was in college at
OSU, I was a part of the
Big Brother/Big Sister Program. I was paired with Leah, a spunky, intelligent Kindergartner. Leah was an only child and her parents thought that she would benefit from some one on one time with a college buddy! The two of us spent time together each week and formed quite a bond. Not many 5 year olds hang out in a college dorm, shadow a college class, or have a dance off in a sorority house living room. And conversely, not many College Freshman consider the highlight of their week having lunch in an Elementary School cafeteria with an energetic pint sized brown eyed ball of fire.
Leah and I stuck together through my Senior Year. We shared many ice cream cones, baked a cake or two, walked around campus, had photo shoots, finger nail painting, and just lots of quality girl time. Leah and I were paired for four years.
My little sister Dana came on to the OSU scene as a Freshman the year after I graduated. She assumed the new role as Leah's Big Sis as I moved to California and started my career.
Rewind. In High School my best girl Tirza and I served on the Executive Council for The Kids Making Miracles High School Campaign for Doernbecher Children's Hospital, in Portland, Oregon. In college I decided to choose a career as a Child Life Specialist where I could work with kids with cancer, similar to the ones I had met and was inspired by at Doernbecher.
Are you following?
Anyway, Dana and Leah carried on. One day I got a phone call from Dana saying that Leah was in the Hospital at Doernbecher. I called the Hospital and spoke to Leah. She explained, matter of factly, that she had been diagnosed with Leukemia. My little buddy had cancer and was being treated at the Hospital that I had been so involved with several years ago.
Today, I get an email from my sister Dana. She works for Nike at World Headquarters and was passing on that Nike partnered with patients from Doernbecher and the kids designed shoes for a new line, with proceeds benefiting the Hospital.
I did a google search on Leah. The mention of Doernbecher made me think of her. Guess what pops up? An article, featuring Leah as one of the 5 designers chosen!
Here's the article,: "LEAH HEILMAN-POLLACK, 9th Grader, CREATIVE DESIGNERHometown: Corvallis, Ore.Prognosis: In remission
Leah Heilman-Pollack loves to play music so much she was invited to attend the annual Rock N’ Roll Camp for Girls in Portland, Ore., where she played electric guitar. When she’s not playing music, she enjoys instant messaging her friends to keep in touch.
Designing a shoe for Nike wasn’t the first time she displayed her talents.
“I make a lot of collages. I think I’d be a good interior decorator or clothing or graphic arts designer.”
Leah is also a risk taker. On a five-week trip to Australia sponsored by the Make a Wish Foundation, she snorkeled, scuba dived and bungee jumped.
“It was exhilarating … yet scary.”
That’s nothing compared to the battle she faced with not one, but two cancers. Leah was diagnosed at age 11 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She completed 2-1/2 years of rigorous treatment, then a few months later it was discovered that she had myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). The cancer team at Doernbecher helped her fight the battle against cancer, but it was a 26-yr-old stranger from the other side of the United States who saved her life. Thanks to the stranger’s donation of stem cells, Leah’s cancer is in remission.
Leah’s mom adds that what got her daughter through this struggle was her determination to live and the ability to do what she had to do each and every day, no matter what.
Leah’s shoe features white hibiscus flowers on a royal blue background. After basking in the sun and exploring the underwater gardens of a coral island in the Great Barrier Reef, Leah fell in love with the tropics. Her design calls to mind the tropical paradise she visited. Plus, Leah notes, hibiscus flowers are always in style.
Originally, Leah drew the flower free-hand, based on a design she saw in a teen magazine, then Marcus Tayui and his team polished the edges. What does she think of the process and result?
“I really liked Marcus…he was very nice and easy-going. I think my shoe gives off a free-spirited, fun vibe, but is still functional.”
Leah loves to sing and listens to fast-paced music, and her favorite sports are swimming and tennis. She designed a high-energy shoe that matches her personality…a shoe that is made for feet that need to move.
Leah thinks it will be very cool to be walking around and seeing her shoe on other people’s feet. "
How's that for a small world!?
Leah, if you're reading this... email me! I'd love to hear from you!!!!!!
Dylan Jackson is 2 now and is even more of a chatterbox energizer monkey! I brought him a Thomas the train set and some Matchbox construction trucks. It was so fun to see him squeal in delight and get on the floor and entertain himself with elaborate conversations with his toys.
Lindsey's parents stopped by for a morning coffee as they head south on a road trip. I've known them for almost 14 years and they are very neat people. They are very involved in their children and grandchildren's lives and it's obvious by Dylan's reaction to them that they are very loved!
I love you, Dylie Jack!
Some serious dramatic play with the bulldozer (Dylan calls it a, "Bull-shure-shure) and "rock mover."
We hit Pioneer Place for some browsing and lunch. I love the fish decor in the parking garage! Very Northwest-y!
Dylan loves anything sour... lemons or limes! He makes the cutest pucker face!
I called Leah this morning and we had a spontaneous reunion! Leah was my YMCA little sis through the Big Brothers / Big Sisters Program at Oregon State University. I met her when she was in Kindergarten and now she's a Sophomore at Portland State University! Nine years have gone by since I graduated from school! WOW! You can read more about our bond here. Leah is just as intelligent and mature as I remember and is beautiful and successful. What a gal!
Linds and I. We both somehow managed to get stains on our shirts today. Such is life with a toddler I guess. I understand a little better why moms have, "mom clothes."
The Thomas Family!
I encouraged Lindsey and Mark to have a date night tonight... offering to cook dinner and put Dylan to bed. They took me up on my offer! My "cooking" was Fred Meyer shells and cheese and "putting to bed" involved chasing Dylan until he tired and then reading stories on our bellies. He's fast asleep now and I'm heading there too!
