Zac’s Legacy Foundation

Testimonials

From: Dave, Anne, Rachel and Bryan Cox

We want to thank you John, your family, and your work associates for remembering us at Christmas. What a blessing! I hope some day we can help others the way we have been helped. This 2^nd time around has really been difficult. We really had become comfortable with the idea that Bryan was on his way to complete recovery; so to hear that this dreaded leukemia is back was very painful and sad. I have taken leave of absence from work and Bryan’s body is getting a needed rest from all the chemo and radiation. Christmas was extra special this year and Bryan was starting to perk up by Christmas Eve. Your gifts were wonderful, Bryan loves them all and is so into tow trucks, “Hard Hat Harry” and he has been carrying around the red car bank everywhere. Again, thank you so very much! Please keep Bryan in your prayers…

From: Robert, Deb, Robby and Haleigh Olsen

We cannot begin to say how much your help has meant to us. We are so sorry that your organization has come about from such a senseless tragedy, but we are so grateful that you have chosen to remember Zac in such a way. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are eternally grateful for your help and support.

From: The Anna Aguirre family (after Anna’s death)

I would like to give my biggest thanks to all of you so very much. We had a lot of hard times and still have many more to come, but with your help and support, we would not have made it thru some of those hard times.

John, Anna enjoyed all the times you invited her to a fundraiser. She always made a vow once this was done and over with, she was going to see if she could join the foundation and help in every way she can.

From: The Blakely family

Thank you for everything!

From: Angela M. Kontas, Clinical Social Work Dept., Children’s Hospital

I just had to drop a small token of thanks to you. A few weeks ago, you went above and beyond to help a family I referred for assistance with their rent (the Woolsey family). They were in danger of being evicted and your willingness to respond so quickly literally saved them in their hour of need. Words cannot capture how much the family and myself appreciate your generosity and support.

In my role, there is nothing worse than wanting to assist a family but having no resources with which to do so. Your organization is a gift to these families and also for us social workers! I wish words could more effectively capture my gratitude! Thank you!

From: Beverly, Jerry and Hannah Thompson

Thank you so much for your love, support and help in making our celebration of Hannah’s life possible. We so appreciate your help, presence at the benefit, and care for children and their families who have cancer. What an incredible ministry! Out of your sorrow, has grown love and compassion for others. That is quite a testimony! I pray God uses Jerry and I similarly in the way He would lead us. Please use this donation in memory of dear Zac and honor of Hannah to bless children and families in need, as we have been blessed. Genesis 12:3 says “I will bless those who bless you…” and you certainly have blessed us! Now may the Lord God bless you & Zac’s Legacy! All our thanks!

From: Heather Walker

What a blessing your family has been to my family. Thank you so much for your help and guidance during this time. I know that if need be we can all on you again. It was a blessed day and I hope you all were blessed as well. Keep in touch!

From: The Berry Family

Kara Berry, daughter of Stan and Cindy Berry live at Ransom, KS. Kara met the Zac’s Legacy Foundation volunteers at Bandimere Speedway in 2002. Kara believes in what the Foundation’s mission is and as a result has contributed to the foundation from her winnings at the car shows and races. Kara had her car printed with the Zac’s Legacy Foundation website on the side of the vehicle.

Kara’s mom Cindy, enclosed a card with the $300.00 donation this year stating: “Although our initial project was somewhat of a losing effort due to the nasty windy and cold weather that cut into our crowd at the Great Bends, KS car show, we are not discouraged and plan other projects that will hopefully raise better money for the Foundation.

Enclosed are a couple of photos. Aileen McDowell of Ellinwood, KS was the winner of the John Force Diecast car that Kara, my daughter and driver of our racecar, is presenting. The other shows Kara and the Zac’s Legacy Foundation Junior Dragster after she won at Great Bend, KS on September 6, 2003.”

Thank you to the Berry family for their generous contribution!

From: Carole M. Carlson

My youngest son Chris had cancer when he was 3 years old in 1972 when chemotherapy was a fairly new treatment. I was a homemaker and my husband Bill was an insurance broker. Chris has 4 older brothers, Everett, Gene, John & Mike. Chris is a survivor and is now 35 years old. What a family life changing experience! Later in 1984, I had cancer of the kidney. I am a survivor! What a family life changing experience! Then in the year 1999, John’s little boy, Zackery Allen Carlson, my grandson, was diagnosed with cancer. He fought a great battle, but Zac did not survive. What a family life changing experience! A choice to be bitter, angry or depressed or to make the life changing experience a valuable and positive memory of a precious little boy, the formation of Zac’s Legacy Foundation ensued. What a family life changing experience!

Growing pains! Yes, “gr.o.w.ing” pains! Zac’s Legacy Foundation was founded in April 2001, when the IRS approved our non-profit 501(c)(3) status. The many families that the Foundation has assisted are only a “drop in the bucket” of the many Colorado families needing help. Volunteers have maintained the Foundation’s every day operation, but the need for paid staff is becoming more and more evident as the number of families increase. The Foundation’s mission “Providing financial assistance to families enduring the struggles of childhood cancer” greatly creates the need for more and more funding.

I know first hand, as Chris’ mother and Zac’s grandmother, because I’ve been through the “enduring the struggles of a child with cancer”. There was no place like Zac’s Legacy Foundation to help our family. Even today, Zac’s Legacy Foundation is unique in efforts to support the needs of the families. I am very proud of how my son John, in his sorrow, has put forth a worthy organization to help others in their time of need.

From: Jane Johnston

I have seen the support Zac’s Legacy Foundation has had on local families. In many instances these families could not have been able to travel to the hospitals where their children were being cared for.