We're in Corvallis, Oregon, about two hours south of Portland, and we're here to build a family and a new healthy home for a little girl fighting cancer.
The Byers family is a young, vibrant family that is full of love, a family like any other. Mom, Dad, two boys (Chris and Joe), and 7-year-old daughter, Janessa. The problem is cancer. Janessa, affectionately known as Boey, was first diagnosed with pediatric cancer in January of 2006. Instead of being a victim, Boey decided she wanted to help others find the strength and inspiration to beat cancer. With a mission to raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancer, she posted daily affirmations on her website and in blogs. She became a "Cancer Warrior" and the youngest person to ever get a bill presented in Congress! This is a kid who cares enough about others that she's gonna stand up and fight the fight.
Cancer is an evil, ugly disease. It tears families and people apart mentally and physically. But the Byers are not letting this get to them. They're using this as a tool, a tool to bind this family together. Unfortunately, the Byers' home is working against them. They bought this home as a fixer-upper but the moment they found out that Boey had cancer, the house became the last priority. Let's face it, when you have a child who is sick, what's more important: spending time with your children and making sure everybody is taken care of or fixing up your house? Kids come first.
The house was dysfunctional. It was toxic, unhealthy and unfit for any family. The new house needed to be bright; it needed to be light with clean air and plenty of room for this whole family to be together and to heal. Boey has no immune system; it's shot because of her treatments, and this house was absolutely unacceptable for her and her brother, who has asthma. I took care of the great room, the living areas, the kitchen, the dining room, and, of course, Mom and Dad's master bedroom and bath. I was gonna make it clean and safe and open and modern.
Building the home and making this possible are Jeff and Mike from Legend Homes. These guys are fantastic, they really get why we're here. They knew that while we may not be able to cure cancer in a week, we certainly could raise awareness and build a phenomenal house in just seven days — changing this family's life forever.
This week was all about a family fighting cancer, giving Boey and family a home where they can live, love and fight this fight. Boey told me that when she was diagnosed again with cancer her heart broke. To hear this little girl tell you her heart has been broken is unacceptable. No 8-year-old should ever have their heart broken. So maybe we can mend her heart while building them a home, making things a little easier.
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