On November 21st 2010, my cousin Janessa lost her month long battle with Leukemia, she was 23 years old. I would like to nominate her mother, my Aunt Brenda Batchelor. She is the surviving mother of a daughter lost to this disease. From the moment she found out her daughter was sick, she flew half way across the United States to be by her side. During the month long battle from one hospital to the next, Aunt Brenda kept our spirits high with humor and with her faith. She made sure we were all doing okay, that we were eating and that we were resting. Our family is very close, and a sick cousin is not just a cousin, she is a sister, a best friend. We cared and loved deeply for Janessa. Aunt Brenda flew back home after a month and a half of being away and went back to resuming her life. She started back at work, continued making dinners for her husband and the other 3 children, she just continued living the everyday life. Now Aunt Brenda is even stronger in her faith, she takes any moment of down time to call up a family member and tell them how special they are to her. During Janessa's time in the hospital many hearts were opening up to our family, from then and even till now, Aunt Brenda is continuing to open her heart to those who so generously gave. I am sure that she is not a survivor in the sense that some would consider, a survivor, but I know it has to take a strong mother to continue living for her daughter and for her family. I wish she could really know how special she is to me and how she has helped me to view Janessa's death as opportunity to truly live.

Signed,
John Creech