Atascocita Observer - News
Christmas Express brings joy
 |
| The Thanksgiving Jordan relapsed, Don and Cheryl Luke organized a celebration for him complete with a Santa, horse-drawn sleigh and plenty of balloons to be released in the air. Though Jordan lost his battle with neuroblastoma, his foundation continues to spread his joy through a toy collection that benefits children battling cancer at Texas Children's Hospital. |
By JENNIFER SUMMER
Jordan Luke loved Christmas.
“Jordan was always happy. He always shared his toys with others; he was one-of-a-kind,” Jordan’s mother, Cheryl Luke, said.
Cheryl first noticed something was wrong with Jordan when he started to limp and days later was dragging one of his legs.
Within seven days, Jordan was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and deadly cancer of the sympathetic nervous system, a nerve network that carries messages from the brain throughout the body.
“We were shocked. We could not believe this was happening to Jordan and our family. Everything changed after that,” Cheryl said.
Jordan underwent chemotherapy and radiation at Texas Children’s Hospital for the next months including bone marrow transplants and several experimental trials at Sloan-Kettering in New York.
After treatments and removal of the tumor, there was no evidence of the disease in Jordan until a relapse at Thanksgiving 2003.
“After the relapse, we knew there was nothing more that we could do for him. We organized a huge party for him with the neighbors,” Cheryl said.
“The neighbors on the street all constructed oversized candy canes and we had a Santa, complete with a horse and a sleigh, and handed out gifts to all of the neighborhood kids.”
Jordan lost his battle with neuroblastoma in April 2004 at 4 years old but his memory continues to live on throughout the community.
After his death, Don and Cheryl Luke established Jordan’s Foundation for neuroblastoma research, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit where proceeds go to Texas Children’s research scientists to help find a cure.
The first fundraiser was a golf tournament and that was just the beginning.
“While we were organizing the golf tournament, Lea Hartung, a friend of ours, thought of the idea of having a toy drive to benefit the kids at Texas Children’s Hospital and title it ‘Jordan’s Christmas Express,’” Cheryl said.
For the fourth year, Jordan’s Christmas Express will be collecting toys and monetary donations which will help boys and girls battling cancer and their families enjoy the holiday season.
There are several drop-off points around the community at which residents can drop off their donations until Dec. 18.
The Lake Houston Performing Arts Center collects toys for Jordan’s Christmas Express at its annual holiday performance.
Deerwood Elementary and Maplebrook Elementary have chosen Jordan’s Christmas Express as their charity and will be donating gifts, though they do not serve as drop-off points.
“We have raised and donated in excess of $450,000 in four years so this is very important to us. This is our opportunity to give back to children who are struggling. They need to be happy, smiling and enjoy their holidays just like everyone else,” Cheryl said.
“I know what it is like to be where these families are. We just want to give them a happy Christmas in honor of Jordan.”
Cheryl Luke; Lea, foundation chair; and Cheryl Axsom, foundation co-chair, plan to collect all of the toys and separate them by age, gender and drop them off at Texas Children’s several days before the holiday so they can be passed out to the families.
“We are very passionate about helping those who have been in the same situations as us. What better way to remember and honor Jordan than to bring joy and presents to sick children?” Cheryl said. “We encourage everyone to help us spread holiday cheer and toys with those who are in need.”
Toys and other items are accepted for Texas Children’s as long as they are new and unwrapped.
Additionally, in honor of Jordan, the foundation is constructing a playground at Deerwood Elementary for the preschool program for children with disabilities and pre-kindergarten students.
Construction on the playground is expected to be completed by the end of December with a celebration ceremony in January.
Toy drop-off locations
The Observer: 907 E. Main Street, Humble, 281-446-1071
The Lake Houston Performing Arts Center: 7515 Tournament Trail Dr., Atascocita, 281-812-3883
Red Door Realty and Associates: 7010 FM 1960 East, Suite 104, Atascocita, 281-852-DOOR (3667).
Donations
Monetary donations can be made payable to Jordan’s Foundation for neuroblastoma research and sent to 2502 Walnut Knob Ct., Kingwood, TX 77345.
For more information, call 713-503-8708.
“Jordan was always happy. He always shared his toys with others; he was one-of-a-kind,” Jordan’s mother, Cheryl Luke, said.
Cheryl first noticed something was wrong with Jordan when he started to limp and days later was dragging one of his legs.
Within seven days, Jordan was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and deadly cancer of the sympathetic nervous system, a nerve network that carries messages from the brain throughout the body.
“We were shocked. We could not believe this was happening to Jordan and our family. Everything changed after that,” Cheryl said.
Jordan underwent chemotherapy and radiation at Texas Children’s Hospital for the next months including bone marrow transplants and several experimental trials at Sloan-Kettering in New York.
After treatments and removal of the tumor, there was no evidence of the disease in Jordan until a relapse at Thanksgiving 2003.
“After the relapse, we knew there was nothing more that we could do for him. We organized a huge party for him with the neighbors,” Cheryl said.
“The neighbors on the street all constructed oversized candy canes and we had a Santa, complete with a horse and a sleigh, and handed out gifts to all of the neighborhood kids.”
Jordan lost his battle with neuroblastoma in April 2004 at 4 years old but his memory continues to live on throughout the community.
After his death, Don and Cheryl Luke established Jordan’s Foundation for neuroblastoma research, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit where proceeds go to Texas Children’s research scientists to help find a cure.
The first fundraiser was a golf tournament and that was just the beginning.
“While we were organizing the golf tournament, Lea Hartung, a friend of ours, thought of the idea of having a toy drive to benefit the kids at Texas Children’s Hospital and title it ‘Jordan’s Christmas Express,’” Cheryl said.
For the fourth year, Jordan’s Christmas Express will be collecting toys and monetary donations which will help boys and girls battling cancer and their families enjoy the holiday season.
There are several drop-off points around the community at which residents can drop off their donations until Dec. 18.
The Lake Houston Performing Arts Center collects toys for Jordan’s Christmas Express at its annual holiday performance.
Deerwood Elementary and Maplebrook Elementary have chosen Jordan’s Christmas Express as their charity and will be donating gifts, though they do not serve as drop-off points.
“We have raised and donated in excess of $450,000 in four years so this is very important to us. This is our opportunity to give back to children who are struggling. They need to be happy, smiling and enjoy their holidays just like everyone else,” Cheryl said.
“I know what it is like to be where these families are. We just want to give them a happy Christmas in honor of Jordan.”
Cheryl Luke; Lea, foundation chair; and Cheryl Axsom, foundation co-chair, plan to collect all of the toys and separate them by age, gender and drop them off at Texas Children’s several days before the holiday so they can be passed out to the families.
“We are very passionate about helping those who have been in the same situations as us. What better way to remember and honor Jordan than to bring joy and presents to sick children?” Cheryl said. “We encourage everyone to help us spread holiday cheer and toys with those who are in need.”
Toys and other items are accepted for Texas Children’s as long as they are new and unwrapped.
Additionally, in honor of Jordan, the foundation is constructing a playground at Deerwood Elementary for the preschool program for children with disabilities and pre-kindergarten students.
Construction on the playground is expected to be completed by the end of December with a celebration ceremony in January.
Toy drop-off locations
The Observer: 907 E. Main Street, Humble, 281-446-1071
The Lake Houston Performing Arts Center: 7515 Tournament Trail Dr., Atascocita, 281-812-3883
Red Door Realty and Associates: 7010 FM 1960 East, Suite 104, Atascocita, 281-852-DOOR (3667).
Donations
Monetary donations can be made payable to Jordan’s Foundation for neuroblastoma research and sent to 2502 Walnut Knob Ct., Kingwood, TX 77345.
For more information, call 713-503-8708.
Copyright © 2009 - Houston Community Newspapers Online