I get asked all the time, "Why Tweety??" So, I thought that I would add an explanation to my page! My liking of the little canary and the nickname "Tweety" started back in June of 1995 when I had to come up with a alias to use while I was counseling at a summer camp for kids with cancer and their siblings. Back then, I had been volunteering at Valley Children's Hospital, through which Camp Sunshine Dreams is run, for just over 2 years. Since then, I have been back every summer and regularly answer to "Tweety" when called out across grocery stores, the hospital or even the mall!
The same summer I acquired
"Tweety" I went to camp with kids living with Cystic
Fibrosis, as a "Thumper" (Aka counselor). This camp was
run through CFRI based in Palo Alto, Ca. Though I was known only
by my name at that camp, it was still an awesome experience!
Through my volunteer work, I have gained many exceptional experiences. I have learned not to shy away from people just because they were dealt a bad hand in life. The kids that I have met have enriched my life beyond belief. When I think about all the friendships, love, laughter and tears I have experienced, I only wish that I had been able to break out of my protective restraits earlier in my life.
When a child is born, they contain boundless innocence, and it is hard to understand why they are sometimes given a life threatening illness along with that innocense. A small child with a big disease has so much courage, strength, hope, faith and love in within their hearts to share. These children, no matter how short their lives are, leave big footprints upon each heart they come in contact with.
Some of the world's greatest misfortune brought these people together. A world of illness, fright, loss and pain has been transformed. Here, in the midst of all God's creations, they have been filled with hope, friendship and, most importantly, love. This loveis like no other, it can not be explained by those who have not been present. They gathered as strangers; small pieces each their own, and left united, in a world of which they would always be a part. Few people outside this infinate cirlce of love can understand the feelins that have been thrown inside; the fear, the laughter, or the tears. It is often wondered how something so hard can be the root of all the wonderful friendships. In some way, all these lives have been touched by a life-threatening illness, and that will, forever, keep them united. The foundation of these friendships is an indiscribable love, and many memories, forever to be remembered.
Valley
Children's Hospital in Fresno, Ca 
Grant-A-Wish Foundation Candlelighters Childhood
Cancer Foundation Camp Okizu
Pediatric Hemotology
and Oncology (University of Chicago) Jule's Page for
Cancer Kids Melinda
Hathaway's Page for Cancer Kids Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute in
Palo Alto, California Boomer
Esiason's Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis Touchstone Support
Network