More significant is the letter that accompanied the gift - the story behind the gift. I thought that her letter was so perfect in capturing the spirit and essense of our fight, that I wanted to share it with everyone. Lisa graciously said yes to my request, allowing her inspiration to reach the greater family that follows Max's battle against NB via this blog.
Christmas 2007
Dear Andy and Melissa
When my dad was fighting his own battle against cancer, he adopted one of Winston Churchill's famous remarks as his motto:
Never, never, never give up!
It is widely believed that Mr. Churchill in addressing the boys at Harrow school, stood up, said these five words and sat back down. And while that would have been very impactful, the truth is he did deliver a full speech. I've copied some of it below as I feel it embodies what you are doing with the Magic Water Project and to give you encouragement to continue in your battle for precious Max:
(The speech was made 29 October 1941 to the boys at Harrow School.)
You cannot tell from appearances how things will go. Sometimes imagination makes things far worse that they are; yet without imagination not much can be done. Those people who are imaginative see many more dangers than perhaps exist; perhaps many more than will happen; but then they must also pray to be given that extra courage to carry this far-reaching imagination...
Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never -- in nothing, great or small, large or petty -- never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
5 comments:
Hello. Sorry about the length of this, but I tried to send it as an email to Neil and I'm not sure he received it.
Mr. Hutchison,
I'm sure you probably get innundated with information on potential treatments for your son's neuroblastoma, so let me apologize up front. But let me also say that I'm pretty sure I can help.
By the way, I am not looking for money, fame, or anything else, but to help people who will allow me to, such as Mrs. John Edwards, family members and friends of mine with cancer, and perhaps even your son. I must say, however, that the information on the Gotham Prize did catch my eye (Ha).
After earning my Master's degree in Physiological Chemistry/Cell Biology in 1980, I have spent the last 28 years studying cancer cell metabolism and reviewing research into potential cancer treatments. I currently work for a laboratory with the Tennessee Department of Health. Previously, I worked for Molecular Pathology Laboratory, where most of our testing was cutting edge technology for cancer diagnosis and response to treatment (gene mutations, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, PCR, etc.) I worked in the technical services department, which involved speaking with, and answering questions posed by oncologists and pathologists.
And for what it's worth, I have also been corresponding with Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Senator and Presidential candidate John Edwards, trying to help her with her treatment for metastatic breast cancer, both by sending her a CD of research papers, as well as products which may help.
I will say to you, sir, the same thing I told her-that I am absolutely convinced that the right combination of "neutraceuticals" will effectively treat (dare I say "cure") ANY "type" of cancer. (Neutraceuticals is the term being used these days, since FDA changed the rules in 2005 for developing drugs from botanical sources, and now it seems that everybody is trying to patent different combinations to treat cancer.) Just as an example, a couple of Australian researchers presented a "cancer juice" coctail of some neutraceuticals at, of all places, the annual American Society of Clinical Oncologists meeting in December. Well, I almost fell to the floor. But they have a good product, and demonstrated good results. However, I know of a number of other compounds that would make their "juice" significantly more effective.
Cancer researchers and oncologists like to say that cancer is actually "many diseases", but the FACT of the matter is that ALL cancer cells require certain genes, transcription, and growth factors that normal cells do not.
Anyway, for the past year or so, I have seen a large increase in research (I have either the abstracts or the papers) involving a cancer treatment hypothesis first explored by a German researcher named Dr. Otto Warburg around 70 years ago. I have also seen a number of drug companies working feverishly to develop drugs based on this 70 year-old idea.
This hypothesis and the reserach supporting its effectiveness basically comes down to this-the inhibition of a transcription factor called HIF-1, which has two subunits, and is involved in cancer cell glycolysis and angiogenesis. And yes, when you look into the research, you will see that HIF-1 inhibition decreases growth and metastasis of all cancers tested so far, both in vitro AND IN VIVO-one of my rules, and includes glioma, glioblastoma, and neuroblastoma. (My second rule is that a compound must cross the blood-brain barrier). Inhibition of HIF-1 also reduces chemotherapy drug resistance, including cyclophosphamide.
Well, the good news is that you don't need to wait on the drug companies to come up with their "HIF-1 inhibitor" (and likely charge huge amounts of money for it), because there are already a number of drugs and natural compounds available TODAY which inhibit HIF-1.
The list includes, but is not, limited to: HIV protease inhibitors, geldanamycin (a benzoquinone antibiotic), apigenin (a plant flavanoid which you can now purchase as a nutritional supplement), curcumijn (which I know you were giving Sam at one time-by the way, there is a much more potent form of it now, called BCM-95), and even a product called Avemar, which is a fermented wheat germ extract (this is a methoxy-substituted benzoquinone). The research on the fermented wheat germ extract was started by Hungarian Nobel laureate Albert Szent-Györgyi, in his Woods Hole laboratory. Fast forward 40-50 years, and Hugarian researchers have now not only demonstrated Avemar's effectiveness against various cancers, but now sell it as a "nutriment" to "supplement" cancer treatment.
Anyway, I hope this has not dragged on too long, and that you find it helpful. Also, I know you can look into all of this yourself, but I would be happy to email you information on anything I have "thrown" at you here.
And if you would ever like to speak with me personally, feel free to call me anytime either at my office at (865) 549-5364, or on my cell at (865) 207-3814.
Take care and God Bless.
Frank R. Bristow
This is in regards to Lisa. I sometimes wonder why she entered into your (our) lives. She has done so much to lighten the load just by "being there". But more than that, she knows what is needed and takes care of it by her words and deeds. I think we have found our guardian angel and we are blessed.
Nana
Melissa, thanks for your comment on my blog. Like many people who have grown up with their own families in blissful ignorance of this dreadful cancer. We take for granted the considered norm and when we become aware of something as tragic as this, then, and only then, do we realise how fortunate we are. We are not fortunate enough to know Max but are lucky, if we choose, to have a small glimpse at this extraordinarily brave and special person.
You and Andy have my thoughts and best wishes. You already have a special little person in Max and I hope that your time together is as special and and precious as he quite clearly is.
I am so sorry for the battle you face each day. My heart goes out to you, and if I could take it all away for you, I would. I will keep you all in my prayers, I promise.
Thelma, thank you for your kind and generous words! But it's really the other way around. I feel so blessed to have Max and completely amazed how your entire family has allowed us to share in such special events. I know God has a purpose for Max being in my life... I had the opportunity to do some different teaching positions (ones I had been interested in) but I turned them down because I felt God really wanted me to work with Max. I don't know where He is leading with this, but trust in Him to work it for good. Max and your family have been lights in my life and I am so very thankful!
lisa
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