My name is Tony Townsend & I work at Mudd Advertising w/ Tim. We’ve met a few times in passing but my wife & I are longtime fans/followers of Addie’s story on Facebook and hearing about her from Uncle Timmy. You may or may not remember that my daughter Aubrey is fighting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and receives treatment down in Iowa City as well, so your story is particularly warming to me.
I don’t know if I’ve ever told you in person, but your strength and compassion as parents is unparalleled. As a parent of a child with a life threatening condition, I have a lot of the same intense fears about the future & exultant joys in the small daily victories, and find myself in constant admiration of your optimistic & enduring faith.
When I read about your upcoming antibody treatments and the road you’re about to embark on, I made it my mission to make sure you were heading into battle with the biggest & most powerful ammunition in the world: Positivity
I know this process is looming and scary filled with a lot of frightening side effects. I’ve heard a lot in Aubrey’s journey that God only gives us what we can handle, but I’ve found that through the graciousness and thoughts of others that the journey is one that is easier not made alone. I don’t need to tell you to keep the faith, you’ve got that in spades! But what I can do, is assure you that the trip you’re making, you’re not going alone. Every treatment, every trip of uncertainty to Iowa City, every second waiting on blood results while crossing your fingers, & every time Addie is laying in the hospital bed & looks at you with intense pain in her eyes and says “I love You”, I’ve had those same feelings and my heart goes out to you and your family.
Yesterday morning, I walked into the office determined to make my vision of positivity come to fruition for Addie, but with thought, this message is in my opinion, moreso for the both of you. With Tim’s blessing /green light, I sought out volunteers to create a video message in our studio for Addie to pump her up for next week. The turnout was tremendous, and the execution was even better. What a thrill this video was to make! I hope this video brings you three things: 1) Comfort in knowing this journey isn’t one to make alone, 2) Motivation & Positivity heading into a long stretch of treatment, & 3) Fortification in your trust and faith in God & knowing things are going to be as they should.
Please enjoy the video on the link below, and remember to show Addie. Again, as Aubrey’s parent, I feel that this video is as much for you as it is for Addie. So much are the parents forgotten in these situations, please accept my love and admiration for you and for your strength in your journey as parents.
Here’s the link: https://vimeo.com/studio5mudd/review/127612784/958cebef75
Tony Townsend