FIRST OFF I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO SENT CARDS AND GIFTS OUT TO Nate Elfrink THE 7 YEAR OLD LITTLE BOY DIEING OF CANCER IT WAS GREAT THANK YOU ALL FOR HELPING MAKE THIS CHILDS CHRISTMAS THAT MUCH BRIGHTER..
UPDATE (posted Dec. 15, 2009)
Family overwhelmed by cards; They ask that donations be made to hospitals instead
West Jefferson residents Dode McVey and Tod Elfrink appreciate the thousands of Christmas cards people have sent to their son, Nate Elfrink, but the amount has become too much for the family to keep up with.the church has stepped in to help get them all open.
Nate, 7, has battled a brain tumor since he was 20 months old. Earlier this month, doctors told the family that treatments could shrink the tumor but not fast enough.
Upon receiving the news, Dode posted an update for family and friends on a Web page dedicated to Nate’s condition. In it, she explained that hospice care had been called and that the family wanted to make the most of their time together. She also said Nate likes to receive Christmas cards and provided the family’s address.
The family asks that instead of sending cards, people consider making donations in Nate’s name that could help other children. They suggest supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the hospice program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, both of which have provided Nate with care.
For information about donating to St. Jude, go to www.stjude.org or call 1-800-822-6344.
There are three ways to donate to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation: by mail at 700 Children’s Dr., Columbus, OH 43205; online at www.nationwidechildrens.org/giving; or by phone at (614) 355-0888.
The people of West Jefferson have come together to give one little boy the best Christmas ever.
Nate Elfrink, 7, has battled a brain tumor since he was 20 months old. He has endured three surgeries and many rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, but the tumor keeps coming back.
Last week, doctors at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee told Nate’s parents, Dode McVey and Tod Elfrink, a new chemotherapy treatment would shrink the tumor but not fast enough. Nate has had all of the radiation he can have, and a fourth surgery is not possible as the tumor is too close to the brain stem.
“We will not pursue any further treatment. He has been through enough,” Dode wrote in an update to friends and family on Dec. 4. “We plan on having the merriest Christmas ever and cherishing each and every day that we have our wonderful, brave, handsome son.”
Within hours of posting the update to a blog about Nate and filling in the school nurse at Norwood Elementary, where Nate is a first-grader, “the whole town knew and my phone was ringing off the hook,” Dode said.
So many people had ideas for making Nate’s Christmas great. His schedule went from doctor’s appointments and treatments to basketball and parades.
Today (Dec. 9), Nate gets to practice with the West Jefferson High School boys’ and girls’ varsity and JV basketball teams. The public is invited to attend and cheer him on. Play starts at 6 p.m.
From 7 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 11, one of Dode’s friends from high school will hold a benefit at Ronnie’s Roadhouse, 74 E. Main St. in West Jefferson.
Also on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m., Nate will help Santa flip the switch to turn on the West Jefferson Community Association’s light display at Garrette Park. On Dec. 12 at 5:30 p.m., he will ride with Santa on a float in the West Jefferson Christmas in the Park lighted parade. Carol Beachy of West Jefferson Hardware and parade organizer Sandy Boucher have ordered 400 glow sticks in Nate’s honor, with the idea of passing them out to spectators along the parade route.
And the ideas keep coming. Nate loves Christmas music, so Dode and Tod hope to be able to welcome carolers to their home on Dec. 20. Plus, word has already spread about flooding the family’s mailbox with Christmas cards for Nate. Anyone is welcome to send a card.
When asked if the outpouring of support is surprising, Dode said no. She grew up in West Jefferson and knows how caring the people can be. She and Tod also know how easy it is for others to love their son.
“Nathaniel—I call him my little man. When he was 3, he was going on 30. He has lived so many lives. He’s so strong,” Dode said.
Nate has never complained about treatments or doctor’s appointments, she said. He has always just asked what was on the schedule and how soon he’d be able to play.
In fact, when Nate and Tod got off the plane from their last visit to St. Jude, Nate wanted to go straight to Walmart to get ingredients for cookies he is making to personally deliver to teachers, friends and family.
“He’s laid back, he’s loving and he’s caring,” Dode said. “He has been, and continues to be, a great inspiration to many.”
Dode and Tod met with children’s hospice this week for help with answering questions Nate might have. They don’t know how much time is left, but they know they want to make the most of every day.
update: Nate was able to light the Christmas but just didnt have the strentgh to ride in the parade. 1|1|thanks for the update i was wondering how he was doing and how many cards he got |lydzkydz|lydzmcss@yahoo.com|21:46:27|12/27/2009|
sounds like he had a good CHristmas
poor feller he has been thru soo much
God Bless him and his family !
Lydia
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i appreciate all the trades made in the past.
THANKS!! 2|2|thank you |xxsasseyxx|shopgirlmgr@yahoo.com|17:10:21|12/29/2009|
if we have traded please leave feedback i want to be a SS http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/192.html
see my items for sale here http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ItemsForSaleFindaBarginToday/ 3|3|Update Nate Passed Away to please keep him and his family in your prayers..|xxsasseyxx|shopgirlmgr@yahoo.com|16:22:42|02/26/2010|
if we have traded please leave feedback i want to be a SS http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/192.html
see my items for sale here http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ItemsForSaleFindaBarginToday/ 4|4|I'm so sorry....prayers for his family and friends who will miss him.....|saint6811|waylan@comcast.net|16:24:25|02/26/2010|
" You'll get what's coming to you ... Unless it was mailed."
9|4|Oh that is so sad! Prayers to his family, friends and the community.|sunriver|lithiasalt@cheerful.com|10:26:49|03/01/2010|
. 5|1|So sorry to hear this, prayers for his family (((HUGS)))~*~|RebekkaVA|queen_vulture@msn.com|16:50:27|02/26/2010|
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6|1|So Sorry to hear this. Prayers for his family and all who knew him.|Ranalt|ainebailey@gmail.com|17:19:41|02/26/2010|
Life is like a cup of tea,
It's all in how you make it.
Lisa
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7|2|ty you ladies he will be sadly missed |xxsasseyxx|shopgirlmgr@yahoo.com|21:28:18|02/26/2010|
if we have traded please leave feedback i want to be a SS http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/192.html
see my items for sale here http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/ItemsForSaleFindaBarginToday/ 8|1|so sorry to read this, praying for his family and friends|petunia1|sweetpea39@comcast.net|20:59:00|02/28/2010|
so sad