True Meaning of Christmas

The Christmas Season and the New Year have come and gone. I find myself in reflection of the high points, the exchange of gifts with loved ones, the sharing of the season’s music with family and friends. But there is one point that stands out above all others. I was asked by Robert Hart to cover the story of his daughter, Shannon, and grandson Trevor Blake at INOVA in Fairfax Hospital where Shannon and her nine-year-old son Trevor brought Santa and Trevor’s Treasures to the children in the INOVA cancer unit. Every year since Trevor was five years old he vowed to bring a smile and joy to other children that are suffering from various forms of cancer at INOVA. Trevor’s disease was diagnosed as Neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer and he is now in his third remission. In spite of the trauma placed on this child, he still brings a bit of Christmas joy to other children and their parents and siblings that are visiting during these trying times.

It must be pointed out here that Shannon’s devotion to her son is monumental in scope. She has spent untold hours searching for the latest and most technological advances that medical science has available to fight her son’s cancer. Shannon has attended conventions with doctors, has taken her son to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PA (CHOP) and is on their way there for another scan.

All this I found both heart wrenching and joyous to witness as the true meaning

of Christmas from a 9-year-old boy.

Pictured is Santa with children receiving gifts from Trevor’s Treasures.

Trevor Blake is the boy in the background of the photo on the right.

More about Trevor can be found on his website: trevorstreasures.org