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Lacey and Joey Lirette sit in front of the computer with the movie trailer cued. Joey

calls out to their son in the next room. “Cohen, let’s watch the preview for The Peanuts Movie. “Two minutes and 43 seconds later, the 7-year-old makes his decision: “Yeah. Let’s go!”

Nearly six years ago, Joey and Lacey knew something wasn’t right when their active infant son stopped eating—only sitting in his mom’s lap in a lethargic haze. Cohen was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer at 10 months old.

“The tumor growing in his abdomen had to be attacked with chemotherapy and radiation,” Joey said. “There were also surgeries, immunotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Cohen was so sick when everything started the nurses later told us they were worried he wouldn’t survive the chemo.”

Today, Cohen requires hearing aids as a side effect from his treatments, but overall, his health is good. Lacey and Joey appreciate the opportunity to provide hope to newly-

November 2015North Texas

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diagnosed families who are just starting the journey they experienced.

“At school, he knows he’s different from other kids because of his hearing aids and speech problems,” said Joey. “At the movies, he gets excited about seeing other kids who are like him.”

This month, for the first time, HopeKids families

from Minnesota, North Texas and Arizona previewed the same movie on the same morning

thanks to the generosity of Karsyn’s Krusaders.

“One of the areas that really drew Karsyn’s Krusaders to sponsor the November movies was the vision to restore hope in a safe environment,” says Karsyn’s Krusaders Director, Tami Brincks.

Karsyn’s Krusaders is a nonprofit organization started in 2010 by Andy and Jessica Miller to raise money and awareness of cancer, with a focus on childhood cancer.

“All of our directors have experienced some

form of a cancer journey,” Jessica said. “It was easy to see how [HopeKids] was not only benefitting children, but the family as

a whole...fitting perfectly with our mission of impacting

families affected by cancer. It’s important to have fun outside of the hospital walls.“

Cohen’s dad describes him as a talkative first-grader, with

a penchant for acting and a passion for movies. “When we come home [from a movie], the first thing he wants to do is recreate the show. He sets up the scenery and finds the characters. He wants us to see it the way he sees it. The whole experience is special to him.”

MONTHly MOvIe ScreeNINgS wOrTHy Of PeANuTS

The O

’Brie

n fam

ily - T

ammy, cayden and Michael - get ready for The Peanuts Movie.

• Dallas Arboretum• Texas rangers• Kelly Alexander Photography• American Airlines center• live Nation

• AT&T Performing Arts center• Taste Buds Kitchen• Alamo Drafthouse cinemas• Topgolf Allen

• Bass Pro Shop• Smashing Times• Topgolf The colony• Dallas Stars foundation• Storybook ranch

HopeWalk | october 17, 2015

Sponsors

Gensler | Purd

y-McGuire,

GL Seaman & Company

Elsa and ArielFairytale Princess Parties DFW

“Sharky”Sea Life Aquarium

“Deuce”Frisco RoughRiders

DonationsGroovy Sound Productions

Corner Bakery Cafe | Kroger

Dallas CowboysRhythm & Blue Dancers

166 Walkers

$23,656

HopeKids North TexasP.O. Box 1628Keller, TX 76244

Phone: 817.739.8123Fax: 888.418.3980bridget@hopekids.org

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www.hopekids.org

MEET REEcEReece is a 4-year-old firecracker who loves to dress up, dance, act, sing, and play with her sisters. She was diagnosed with biphenotypic leukemia this year.

“Now we understand why she has always been so feisty,” said Roxxy, Reece’s mom. “She was preparing for the fight of her life. HopeKids has provided us with opportunities to spend quality family time together in very meaningful ways. HopeKids has eliminated barriers such as financial limitations and infection concerns so that we can just focus on our sweet girls and enjoy our time together. We are so appreciative of HopeKids during this journey.”

HopeKid Daniel enjoys the Dallas Stars game with mom, rebekah. HopeKid Austin samples his creation at Taste Buds Kitchen. HopeKid grace and big brother, Bennett, pose with a bigger-than-life Ariana grande during her concert at the American Airlines center. The lowe family previews the Pan monthly movie screening in October. HopeKid reece checks out the work of Photographer Kelly Alexander during family Portrait Day. The Harris family cheers on the rangers at the final home game of the season.

HopeDay program