Nana's Box Feature: Abby

In March of 2008 I suddenly became deathly ill with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Within a few days in the hospital I was placed in a drug induced coma and breathing with a ventilator. I had just turned thirty and I was fighting for my life.

While I was in the ICU my family and I received a Nana’s Box from Angie. The box was filled with photos of my family and I doing what we loved. It also included many inspirational phrases and images. This gift was invaluable to my family while I was intubated. They would often look through the box and share the photos with me. It was touching for my loved ones to remember me before I was lying unconscious and to think about the joy in our lives together.

(Abby's box)

Once I could breathe again on my own, I was taken off of life support and began healing. It was horrendously difficult and upsetting to realize what had happened and it left me in a very confused state. ICU psychosis took hold of my brain for many days, I was unsure of who I was and what I would become. I used my Nana’s Box to remember my life before my illness and helped me find strength to keep going. Multiple times a day I would flip through the box staring at photos of my daughter and images of Christ. The moments I spent with my Nana’s box filled me with hope and comfort and provided moment of peace.

After the worst of my illness had passed and I was sent home, I kept my Nana’s box near. I showed the box to all who visited and it served as a reminder of the love of my family and my Savior. My Nana’s box is one of the most precious gifts I have received during the most trying time of my life. I am grateful for a simple gesture that surprisingly helped me to remember who I am and guided my healing.

To read more about Abby and her story visit her blog: Drawing for ARDS

Newest Boxes

For Charlene- Wife, Mother, and Nana to 2 little girls

For Missy- 29 year old Mother of 2

Project Kiddie Hope

My 30th birthday is coming up this year and as part of my list of

{Things to do in the year I turn 30}

I want to send out 50 Nana's boxes to 50 cancer patients..... children cancer patients.

In order for me to reach this goal I need your help. Please submit your nominations to: mynanasbox@yahoo.com

Include the following information:

1. The name of the child & age

2. What type of cancer they have

3. Your relationship to the child

4. A little bit about them include: fav. color, interests, likes, hobbies, to help design the box(ie. flowers, stars, polka dots...)

5. What you would like it to say on the box (ie. Annie, Baby girl, Hope, Buddy, Fighter, etc...)

6. Would you like religious quotes/sayings included in the box?
7. An address of where to ship the box

These Nana's Boxes are extra special as the ones for little girls will include a special gift from Ryah Sofia. I am working on getting a little something for the boxes for little boys.

If you do not have someone to nominate but would like to help out with this project we are accepting donations to help pay for the cost of shipping each box. As always, Nana's Boxes are FREE to each patient that is undergoing treatment. We would like to keep it that way, but in order to do so we need your support and donations.

(Click here to make a donation)

100% of ALL donations go directly to the project.