November 24th, 2001
Thanks.
Thanks for your messages, and all your support. It really means a lot to us.
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Be the Match
Bone marrow donors are desperately needed nationwide. Please consider becoming a registered bone marrow donor. You can read more at the FAQ on the National Marrow Donor Program's website.
Contribute Financially
Craig's treatments are more than insurance will pay. Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo to the Craig Brandmeier Fund. You can also send support though PayPal.
Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for just knowing you via this website and Facebook. You are such an inspiration and have touched my life forever. You are the most positive, courageous and strongest person that I have ever known. I hope you, your wonderful wife and family feel the love, prayers, and positive thoughts from all the lives you have touched. You will be forever in my heart and prayers. May God bless you.
Dear Craig,
I am so sorry for the hell that you have had to endure these past months. Having seen it all with Katie, you have gone through hell and back, even saying that seems so inadequate. I will always ask the question, “WHY”? Why you, why her, why any child or young person with so much ahead of them, and then of course, “WHY not me”, and I am sure your parents feel the same way. This is not the way it was meant to be, never ever.
You have proven through this hideous disease the amazing young man that so many were blessed to have in their lives. Your strength, perseverance, tenacity and will to fight until the bitter end is an example that will impact many lives. Where do you kids get this from, for me, I could not endure what you brave souls have faced daily. I have to share with you that near the end of Katie’s battle, I could not endure watching the suffering that my baby was going through anymore. As her mother who loved her above myself, I placed her in God’s arms and care, praying to Him to release her from her earthly suffering by taking her home or to cure her. I told Katie just before she passed, to take Jesus’ hand and let Him lead her to where she needs to be, and He did. I told her I would be ok, anything is ok when you feel so helpless and have to watch your beloved child in pain with no way to comfort or take it away. God took Katie peacefully and held me close and filled me with peace and comfort knowing that my precious baby was finally healed and with Jesus. My prayer for you and your loved ones is that you will know and feel God’s presence, His peace, love, comfort and His promise of everlasting life with Him. Do not be afraid, Heaven is everything that is breathtaking and perfect here, just better…we can only imagine.
I have committed my life to keeping Katie’s memory alive with all that I do. I am now volunteering with Be A Hero, Become A Donor. I will continue my dedication to educating and increasing donors onto the registry so that everyone has hope for a new beginning, a new life through marrow donation. Reading your last post makes me even more committed to this cause and I thank you for sharing so profoundly, you are such an inspiration and your concern for those left behind is commendable.
This is a journey that none of us expected, but we have to have faith in God’s plans for our lives. As hard as it is, there is no other answer.
Through all that you have endured on your cancer journey, be comforted in knowing that your life has touched many in ways that will unfold daily. Some people live to be 90 and when they are gone, the story ends. Craig, you have lived only a very short time, but your story will continue forever. The impact that you have made on others will only continue to spread, what a legacy. Be proud of the man you are, even though I never met you, I feel proud to have known you through your parents and your writings.
Even though it seems the end is near, God can give you a miracle, nothing is beyond Him. His plans are the best for us, even though we don’t understand. One day, when we are all reunited it will all be clear.
Craig, be strong and hold close to God, He will carry you through this.
Please tell your parents, I am here for them in anyway I can help, at anytime. God Bless you and your family,
Carolyn (Angel Katie’s mom)
Sorry that you are not doing so well. I hope you live several months where you can spend time with your close friends and family and your life while being in your home. Enjoy every time you get to spend with your close friends and family before you pass away. I am still keeping u and Kat in my prayers. Kat I hope
the best to you.
All any of us can hope for in this world is to leave it a little better off than when we arrived–and you did.
“Through dying suns and midnights grim,
And treachery and faith gone dim,
Whatever dark the world may send,
Still lovers meet at jounrey’s end.”
~ Barbara Hambly
Take comfort in the love you have with Kat and your family. You are an inspiration and I’m happy to have shared in your life. Best wishes, Craig.
I am praying for you!!
Best wishes for you and your family
-kellsie
Craig – what an inspiration you are! I hope you know what a legacy you have created for yourself. You have impacted my life tremendously and I will do everything it takes to continue to spread the word and get as many people as possible to join the registry. I recently posted an entry on our family blog and 3 friends have already bought kits in the past 2 days. We love you, are praying for you and your family as always. XOXOXOXO
Know that you have inspired many many people. You have been an amazing friend to thousands of people. Being able to see your bravery and determination is a true gift. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. As always, I am praying for a miracle. God bless you and your family. And remember, it ain’t over yet. Much love to you and yours. My sincerest sympathies and love go out to you.
Love,
Natalie
You are truly an inspiration to others, not just those battling cancer, but I feel that everyone can learn from you to appreciate life. I feel that you have shown people how to be thankful for each day, and also to never give up. Learning about your story has taught me to be more thankful and when I start to complain I think of your story, and realize I should not complain, but rather be thankful, so thank you. My dad had cancer and the bravery he showed filled me with awe, just you have done. I’m sure you have been very courageous and I’m glad that you never gave up. Be strong, and I will be praying for a miracle~
Craig:
God bless you is my prayer today,
I’m honored to call you ‘friend’;
I pray the Lord will keep you safe,
Until we meet again.
Dear Craig & Kat,
Watching your episode of true life broke my heart. As a soon to be newlywed myself, this is heartbreaking. You both are such a young, beautiful couple and should not be faced with this terrible tragedy. I am so very sad to hear this update you have posted on this blog. I am wishing for you every day to have a miracle recovery. You will be in my thoughts forever <3
To Craig, Kat, and Family…
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you have strength, peace, and hope. I will continue to pray for your miracle.
Craig,
Thank you for sharing your life and spirit with the world. I will spread the word about bone marrow donation and your site.
My love to you, Kat, your family, and all that love and support you.
Kim
hi there. my name is joe ribeiro. i am from newtown ct. i heard about your condition and want to send my dearest condolences to you and your family. i dealt with something similar with my sister and know how hard it must be. i am happy to be here for you to celebrate your life and all the things you have accomplished. i wish you and your family the best. stay strong and i wish you and your family the best
Dear Craig,
I have thought about you every single day since you have been diagnosed and will have you in my thoughts every day that I live. You are not only brave and courageous, but such a caring and wonderful person. You are amazing and your spirit has and will continue to be an inspiration to me. I am grateful that I got a chance to meet you and will always hold you in my heart.
Ellen Harris
You and your family are forever in my prayers.. you are a true inspiration and touched my life forever!
A rainbow through a misty cloud…a snail nibbling a mushroom’s edge..great waves with spray that rises high.. and breaks and falls to rise again.. perhaps just once. these things are ours..yet they are always ours.
A hummingbird feeding her tiny young..the slow beat of herons across the swamp..the quiet reflection of a nesting swan as twilight absorbs dark shadows.. for a fleeting moment these things are ours..then they are ours forever..
Whether this is imagination or not one never really knows and it matters little for in a moment ecstasy holds the soul.. As the great symphony of life goes on with one unwavering purpose to create what is to be..whether or not there is beauty…is in your heart and mine.
These things are ours. “Gwen Frostic”
Craig, when I had cancer in 1988, someone very kind sent me these words. I don’t visit them often but wanted to share them with you. They gave me strength and serenity as I did not have the family that you have to support and love you. Maybe they will bring you something as well. You have given so much and your message has touched so many. I will be anxious to hear about your going home tomorrow.Lots of love to all of you
Craig I am sending you a hug, you are the strongest person! I hope you make it home tomorrow to be with your family. Please let the family know we are thinking of you all every day and send our love and strength.
Love The Langill Family <3
Praying for you, Kat and your entire family. Thank you for your bravery, your warm heart and your honest words.
Craig:
If you should go tomorrow
It would never be goodbye,
For you have left your heart with us,
So we don’t need to cry.
The love that’s deep within you,
Shall reach us from the stars,
We’ll feel it from the heavens,
And it will heal the scars.
–author unknown
Craig – you are an inspiration. I wish you and Kat much strength today as you learn the next step in your journey.
I don’t know you but was told about your incredible story. I’m so deeply moved that I have signed up on the marrow registry. I hope to do my part to save a life. The world needs more people like you
Dearest Craig & Kat, Still keeping you close to my heart & lifting you up to the One who loves you & understands. XOXOX Liana
Craig,
I love you man. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Hello Craig,
I’m praying for you. Thank you for calling attention to the need for donors. My brother, who is 24, just had a heart transplant. When he was still waiting in the hospital, I was at school, and my family at home, your True LIfe episode aired for the first time. My family texted each other through out the episode because your emotion and honesty was so deeply appreciated. We all were so touched by your story. While I don’t understand exactly what you are going through (obviously ours was different and by no means am I suggestion that I know what you are experiencing), I just want to thank you for providing some insight into the difficulty of transplants. When my room mates and other people saw your story, I felt like they had a little bit more understanding of what it means to need/have a loved one need a transplant.
I guess this is a long way of saying thank you. Those words don’t seem like a whole lot but they are all I’ve got. Thank you.
All the best, love and prayers,
Katie