Inspirational Beginnings...
In 2005, a 10-year old boy named Aaron Gaberman was diagnosed with two cancerous brain tumors that placed his life in jeopardy. Aaron, an avid fan of the New York Yankees, heard that former New York Yankee great Bobby Murcer also had brain cancer. Aaron reached out to Bobby and the two became fast and enduring friends—“friends for life.” Bobby contributed his surname and heroic spirit both on and off the field to our mission of comforting seriously ill children, hence the name Murcer.
The Berni part of our name was inspired by Bernese Mountain dogs, animals known for their loyalty, gentleness, great courage - not to mention their love of children. These dogs also become “friends for life,” and play a key role in the comfort and support we provide. Putting together the two concepts, we arrived at the name Berni & Murcer.
As for Aaron Gaberman, he continues to be thriving and living life to the fullest! As an Assistant Director for Marketing and Communications in the nonprofit sector, Aaron continues to be an unwavering activist for pediatric cancer and works tirelessly to bring hope and healing into the lives of others facing a life-threatening illness. With his help, direct input from a childhood cancer survivor goes towards the development of Berni & Murcer - Friends for LifeTM products and is a continued major source of inspiration for our mission.
The Berni part of our name was inspired by Bernese Mountain dogs, animals known for their loyalty, gentleness, great courage - not to mention their love of children. These dogs also become “friends for life,” and play a key role in the comfort and support we provide. Putting together the two concepts, we arrived at the name Berni & Murcer.
As for Aaron Gaberman, he continues to be thriving and living life to the fullest! As an Assistant Director for Marketing and Communications in the nonprofit sector, Aaron continues to be an unwavering activist for pediatric cancer and works tirelessly to bring hope and healing into the lives of others facing a life-threatening illness. With his help, direct input from a childhood cancer survivor goes towards the development of Berni & Murcer - Friends for LifeTM products and is a continued major source of inspiration for our mission.
A Young Boy, a Baseball Player and Cancer...A Mother's Story
It was May 25th, 2005, when my dear sweet son Aaron was admitted into the hospital upon being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of pediatric brain cancer (nongerminomatous germ cell tumors). That was the beginning of a series of long, heavy, arduous, trauma-driven, sleepless days spent in a cold and sterile hospital room and I was on a laser focused mission to save my son who was suddenly faced with an uncertain future. Aaron was supposed to be joyously celebrating his tenth birthday with his family and friends and playing in his team's baseball play-off game, but instead, he found himself to be in the greatest and most important fight of his life against a deadly enemy called pediatric cancer. He bravely went into battle by undergoing the first of many surgeries and treatments to follow and his 55 pound body was connected to a myriad of medical devices piercing his frail body. In between providing loving comfort and care to Aaron, I was sadly cancelling his birthday party plans while collaborating with colleagues around the country to find the best medical care and treatment for Aaron's rare type of brain cancer. The irony was that I was working in the field of adolescent brain development and here it was that my own son developed brain cancer. In the end, it was actually a blessing to be able to navigate the tsunami of medical information with a level of expertise to ensure his overall health and well-being.
While in the hospital, one of Aaron's best friends, named Patrick came to spend some time with him which was a day filled with lots of ice cream, belly laughs and baseball talk. I was ushered out of the room by Patrick's mom to take some respite in the outdoor pavilion. I reluctantly welcomed it (having not left Aaron's side since his admittance in the hospital) and as soon as I walked outside the building, I immediately felt a waterfall of warmth streaming down my body from the bountiful rays of sunshine, enveloping me like a comforting blanket of restoration from the intense trauma of the last several days. It was as if it was my first time in knowing the sun. When I thought about it, this was the same feeling when Superman's powers are restored from the golden rays of the sun after being hit with kryptonite....the same destructiveness as a cancer diagnosis.
A very special kind of "Ray" of sunshine soon entered into my son's life, Bobby "Ray" Murcer, the former NYY Baseball Player and YES Announcer. He too, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. Aaron reached out to this baseball legend to offer his kind and loving support and encouragement during his treatment and both he and Bobby became fast and furious friends during their journey with cancer. And, of course there was a lot of baseball talk along the way too! Bobby's selfless, kindhearted and heroic spirit on and off the baseball field coupled with Aaron's positive and "Never Give Up" attitude were the "Dynamic Duo" behind the inspirational beginnings of "Berni & Murcer - Friends for Life."
I share this experience because it is the very essence of hope, restoration, comfort, strength, and healing which became vital elements of our "Comfort Backpack" program to empower and sustain children diagnosed with cancer and their families. I hope that you'll join us and invite others along the way, to be a RAY of SUNSHINE to illuminate the pathway towards a sun-filled tomorrow of hope and healing for children and their families!
It was May 25th, 2005, when my dear sweet son Aaron was admitted into the hospital upon being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of pediatric brain cancer (nongerminomatous germ cell tumors). That was the beginning of a series of long, heavy, arduous, trauma-driven, sleepless days spent in a cold and sterile hospital room and I was on a laser focused mission to save my son who was suddenly faced with an uncertain future. Aaron was supposed to be joyously celebrating his tenth birthday with his family and friends and playing in his team's baseball play-off game, but instead, he found himself to be in the greatest and most important fight of his life against a deadly enemy called pediatric cancer. He bravely went into battle by undergoing the first of many surgeries and treatments to follow and his 55 pound body was connected to a myriad of medical devices piercing his frail body. In between providing loving comfort and care to Aaron, I was sadly cancelling his birthday party plans while collaborating with colleagues around the country to find the best medical care and treatment for Aaron's rare type of brain cancer. The irony was that I was working in the field of adolescent brain development and here it was that my own son developed brain cancer. In the end, it was actually a blessing to be able to navigate the tsunami of medical information with a level of expertise to ensure his overall health and well-being.
While in the hospital, one of Aaron's best friends, named Patrick came to spend some time with him which was a day filled with lots of ice cream, belly laughs and baseball talk. I was ushered out of the room by Patrick's mom to take some respite in the outdoor pavilion. I reluctantly welcomed it (having not left Aaron's side since his admittance in the hospital) and as soon as I walked outside the building, I immediately felt a waterfall of warmth streaming down my body from the bountiful rays of sunshine, enveloping me like a comforting blanket of restoration from the intense trauma of the last several days. It was as if it was my first time in knowing the sun. When I thought about it, this was the same feeling when Superman's powers are restored from the golden rays of the sun after being hit with kryptonite....the same destructiveness as a cancer diagnosis.
A very special kind of "Ray" of sunshine soon entered into my son's life, Bobby "Ray" Murcer, the former NYY Baseball Player and YES Announcer. He too, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. Aaron reached out to this baseball legend to offer his kind and loving support and encouragement during his treatment and both he and Bobby became fast and furious friends during their journey with cancer. And, of course there was a lot of baseball talk along the way too! Bobby's selfless, kindhearted and heroic spirit on and off the baseball field coupled with Aaron's positive and "Never Give Up" attitude were the "Dynamic Duo" behind the inspirational beginnings of "Berni & Murcer - Friends for Life."
I share this experience because it is the very essence of hope, restoration, comfort, strength, and healing which became vital elements of our "Comfort Backpack" program to empower and sustain children diagnosed with cancer and their families. I hope that you'll join us and invite others along the way, to be a RAY of SUNSHINE to illuminate the pathway towards a sun-filled tomorrow of hope and healing for children and their families!
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