Social media has made a huge impact on our daily lives. Sometimes it is very useful and other times it brings trouble. My week started out with worry for our youth. It seems that our youth don’t understand the implications of inappropriate pictures and writing on public forums like facebook. It truly has me worried about their future.
I also witnessed the positive side of social media this week. I have written about the sweet 10 year old girl in our community who is fighting osteosarcoma previously. Unfortunately this week she faced a huge hurdle as she underwent major surgery for recurrent cancer in her left leg. Her request before heading into surgery was for everyone to wear a heart on their left hand to remind them to pray and think of her. This little girl is so brave, smart and truly a hero!
I was out running errands when I received the email about the hand hearts. Without a pen in sight, I grabbed my color stay lipstick and drew a pink heart. I then posted on my facebook page asking for others to do the same. When I logged onto facebook throughout the day, I saw many of the people in my own community doing the same. What happened next was so powerful. People throughout the country spread the word and hearts of all sizes, shapes and colors were all over facebook in support of this young girl. Even some of my relatives who had never met this girl joined in. It was truly amazing and so special!
From this outpouring of love for this young girl, a fundraising event has come about. I can’t even imagine the financial burden this family faces as they are going on 17 months of fighting to be cancer free. If you are local, come on out to the Live Alyssa Live fundraiser on July 15th at 5:30 pm. You can find more info in the facebook event page.
If you can’t make the fundraiser, your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated! Unfortunately this young girl is not the only one fighting childhood cancer. I know there are so many others out there with similar stories. Keep the hearts going and pray for everyone fighting cancer.
By the way, if you ever wondered how long color stay lipstick would stay on your hand, at least 48 hours! I have washed my hands more times than I can count, had a massage, wore my garden gloves and showered. My heart still remains on my left hand 48 ours later!
Social media is a powerful tool. Let’s remember to use it to make a positive impact!
(The hearts in the pictures above are of two of my brothers in California, my Aunt, her boyfriend and my cousin in Idaho and the top one is mine here in Virginia. Truly a nationwide outpouring of support!)
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The power of social media…we should use it to spread our love and help for those who are not able to have some privileges that we enjoy. I like the effect it created because of this young girl.