Tony Bender, a Rock Island High School graduate who lives in Texas, holds daughter Addison Faith Bender, who died of cancer in 2007. The Bender family now operates a nonprofit group dedicated to raising funds to fight childhood cancer. The group will sponsor the Addison Faith Bender Inaugural Walk By Faith Sept. 30 at Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley.

 

Amber and Tony Bender, two of the finest people you will ever meet, have forged a wonderful life in the Houston, Texas, suburb of Kingwood.

The two, who have hearts bigger than the state they live in, are tremendous parents and pillars of their community. Yet as dedicated as they are to their Texas home, a huge chunk of the Benders’ hearts will always be in Rock Island.

In 2007, Tony and Amber — childhood sweethearts and Rock Island High School graduates — suffered the unthinkable, losing their young daughter, Addison Faith Bender, to cancer.

Addi, as everyone called the button-cute toddler, passed away on Dec. 4, 2007, after a courageous 10-month battle. She was a month shy of her second birthday.

Tony and Amber vowed to make a difference in Addi’s name. They formed Addi’s Faith Foundation (AddisFaith.org), a registered nonprofit organization dedicated to ending childhood cancer. Its purpose, the site says, is to raise funds for research into pediatric brain tumors, as well as provide financial assistance to families who are caring for a child with cancer.

Amber Bender has dedicated her career to overseeing Addi’s Faith as its executive director. That is, it must be noted, much more than a 40-hour-per-week undertaking.

In November 2017, Amber and Tony, along with their children, Trent, Riley and Olivia, and a dedicated cast of 3,000 runners and walkers, completed the ninth Walk by Faith 5K, held on the campus of the University of Houston. In April, the Benders hosted Addishack, a golf outing for over 100 golfers.

In a shade under 10 years, Addi’s Faith has raised $1.6 million to fund research and help families. In August 2017, the pediatric lab at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center was named the Addison Faith Bender Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Lab.

The Benders’ efforts to keep a community engaged and a public informed about ending childhood cancer is amazing by any standards.

Now Tony, Amber, Trent, Riley and Olivia are coming home to make a difference. They will host the Addison Faith Bender Inaugural Walk by Faith beginning at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Coal Valley’s Niabi Zoo. An informational gathering with Tony and Amber is set for 7 p.m. Friday, May 18, at Davenport’s Outing Club.

“We have always wanted to go on the road, come home and make a difference,’’ Amber Bender said. “Addi loved animals, especially monkeys. It shows in the logo we use. The perfect setting for a run/walk is Niabi Zoo and all that it represents. And to have an event where we grew up and still have family and friends makes it even better.’’

Humble to a fault, the Benders said Addi’s Faith Foundation is their way of giving back, of honoring their daughter and easing the many fears parents face when dealing with such a dreaded disease.

“The only thing worse than hearing those four dreadful words, ‘Your child has cancer,’ is then learning that there is no cure,” Amber Bender said. “When we learned that less than 4 percent of research funding is allocated toward pediatric cancers, we knew we needed to do something to change that.

“We think our children deserve better, so we created Addi’s Faith Foundation to step up and fight for these kids. We know there is a cure out there, and together we will find it.”

The gathering scheduled on May 18, Amber said, will be informal, allowing the Benders to share the foundation’s message, draw support, and catch up with friends and family.

“We have always had tremendous support from people back home,’’ Amber added. “We know we came from a great and caring community. The hope has always been an event at home, and this is a great first step.’’

Columnist John Marx can be reached at 309-757-8388 or [email protected].
Link to original publication

As main fundraiser approaches, Addi’s Faith Foundation already in action helping Houston family affected by Hurricane Harvey

HOUSTON (Nov. 2) — The stated goal of this year’s 9th annual Walk by Faith 5K, which takes place Nov. 12 on the campus of the University of Houston, is to take care of families dealing with a child with cancer who were also affected by Hurricane Harvey. To that end, Addi’s Faith Foundation co-founder Tony and Amber Bender have already changed the life of the Dwellingham family, who lost almost everything in the disaster and were struggling to get their 6-year-old son Kalieb to treatments for a cancerous brain tumor.

The Walk by Faith 5K Race/Walk is the main fundraiser for the Addi’s Faith Foundation, a Kingwood, Texas-based 501(c)(3) founded in 2007 by Tony and Amber Bender to honor their daughter Addison Faith Bender, who died of a cancerous brain tumor at age 2.

“When we heard about the Dwellinghams’ story we felt compelled to jump ahead of the game a little bit and get them a new car as soon as possible because it was such an urgent need,” Amber Bender said. “Kalieb was in the midst of his second round of treatment and the Dwillinghams had no practical way of getting him to the hospital every day.

“Thanks to our friends and longtime Addi’s Faith supporters at G&S Tire and Auto, we were able to get them back on the road and alleviate one of the big problems they were facing after the storm. We feel so honored to help the Dwellinghams. This is what we do, and we can’t do it without our supporters.”

The Dwellinghams had more than four feet of water in their home and their car, which was in the driveway, was flooded almost all the way to the roof of the vehicle. Addi’s Faith Foundation had the car towed to G&S Tire and Auto to see if it was repairable but when they got the diagnosis that the car was totaled, they decided to get the family a new car.

“Craig Berkowitz at G&S Tire and Auto jumped right in and got behind this project immediately,” Tony Bender said. “This is an obvious example of what we can do as an organization to not only help families dealing with the realities of having a child with a cancer diagnosis, but also how the contributions so many people and companies make to our foundation can make an immediate impact on a family in need.”

The Benders quickly pointed to next weekend’s Walk by Faith 5K Race/Walk as the group’s primary fundraiser and encouraged Houstonians to get involved.

More than 1,000 people are expected to participate in this year’s race. Registration is underway now at www.walkbyfaith5k.org. People unable to attend are encouraged to visit the website and make a donation.

Amber Bender says participants in their annual run/walk range from competitive runners to entire families and church groups covering the course as a team. This year the event will start with a 1K Kids Fun Run for children ages 3-10 to give even the smallest participants a chance to get involved.

“We’re praying this wonderful weather we’ve been enjoying holds out for our race,” Tony Bender said. “It’s a great event and I like to point out that all the 5K participants can be professionally chip-timed if they so desire. Plus, all participants receive a T-shirt, swag bag and access to the post-race celebration, which includes something fun for all ages.”

Generous sponsors have pledged support of all refreshments, a Kid’s Zone, festive music, raffle and various awards handed out to the top finishers in several age groups.

The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for kids (17 and under). Each participant who registers online can also create their own fundraising page to collect donations from family and friends. Anyone who refers 5 friends will have their registration fee refunded. Early registration ends Nov. 2, after which time the fees increase by $5. Race day registration will be available from 6:30-8 a.m. Please visit www.walkbyfaith5k.org.

The race day schedule begins with a 7:30 a.m. Worship Service, followed by the 1K Kids Fun Run at 8 a.m. The 5K Race/Walk will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the Awards Ceremony beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Major sponsors of this year’s Walk by Faith 5K include Shamrock Marine, Hines Furlong, The Shop/G&S, Jeffboat, Buffalo Marine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Insperity, Vital Allergy & Asthma, Alspaugh’s ACE Hardware, Coating Systems & Supply, Christ The King Lutheran Church, Gustafson Dental, Johnson DeLuca Kurisky & Gould P.C., Stewart Title, and Thrivent.

Click here for video of car presentation www.facebook.com/addisfaithfoundation.

Kids with cancer affected by Hurricane Harvey will be primary beneficiaries of 9th annual Walk by Faith 5K

HOUSTON (Oct. 8) — The focus for this year’s ninth annual Walk by Faith 5K Race/Walk will center on families dealing with childhood cancer that were directly affected by the fallout from Hurricane Harvey.

The Walk by Faith 5K Race/Walk is the main fundraiser for the Addi’s Faith Foundation, a Kingwood, Texas-based 501(c)(3) founded in 2007 by Tony and Amber Bender to honor their daughter Addison Faith Bender, who died of a cancerous brain tumor at age 2.

“Our city has been through so much and we know most charities have been stretched thin during what continues to be a long and tough recovery process,” Amber Bender said. “The families we support haven’t been spared, unfortunately, and many of them lost crucial and very expensive medicines because they didn’t have power for days and couldn’t keep them refrigerated or they were simply washed away by the flood waters. Others have lost their vehicles so they are struggling to keep medical appointments. It’s just been a very taxing time for them.

“Because of these very specific needs, we are earmarking the majority of this year’s proceeds to helping these specific families, so our wonderful participants will know everything they are doing at this year’s event will directly help people adversely affected by Hurricane Harvey. We are hopeful the incredible outpouring of love and support we saw in the days after Harvey hit will carry over to our event and make it a big success.”

More than 1,000 people are expected to participate in this year’s race, which will be held Sunday, Nov. 12, on the University of Houston’s main campus. Registration is underway now at www.walkbyfaith5k.org. People unable to attend are encouraged to visit the website and make a donation.

Bender says participants in their annual run/walk range from competitive runners to entire families and church groups covering the course en masse. This year the event will start with a 1K Kids Fun Run for children ages 3-10 to give even the smallest participants a chance to get involved.

“We want everyone to join in the fun,” Tony Bender said. “5K participants can be professionally chip-timed and all participants receive a T-shirt, swag bag, and access to the post-race celebration which includes something fun for all ages.”

Generous sponsors have pledged support of all refreshments, a Kid’s Zone, festive music, raffle and various awards handed out to the top finishers in several age groups.

“Last year we had 1,500 runners and raised $165,000,” Amber Bender said. “This year our goal is to have 2,000 runners and raise $200,000. To date, we’ve raised $850,000 through the Walk by Faith 5K Run/Walk. It’s so humbling.”

The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for kids (17 and under). Each participant who registers online can also create their own fundraising page to collect donations from family and friends. Anyone who refers 5 friends will have their registration fee refunded. Early registration ends Nov. 2, after which time the fees increase by $5. Race day registration will be available from 6:30-8 a.m. Please visit www.walkbyfaith5k.org.

The race day schedule begins with a 7:30 a.m. Worship Service, followed by the 1K Kids Fun Run at 8 a.m. The 5K Race/Walk will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the Awards Ceremony beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Major sponsors of this year’s Walk by Faith 5K include Shamrock Marine, Hines Furlong, The Shop/G&S, Jeffboat, Buffalo Marine, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Insperity, Vital Allergy & Asthma, Alspaugh’s ACE Hardware, Coating Systems & Supply, Christ The King Lutheran Church, Gustafson Dental, Johnson DeLuca Kurisky & Gould P.C., Stewart Title, and Thrivent.

After personal battle with childhood cancer, Addi’s Faith Foundation owners support others facing disease, funds medical research

Addi’s Faith Foundation owners support others facing disease, fund medical research

By Tracy Maness
Community Impact Newspaper

After Addi passed away a couple of weeks short of her second birthday, her mother Amber Bender decided she wanted to help other families battling pediatric cancer.

Amber and Tony Bender founded Addi’s Faith Foundation in April 2007 and have since raised funds to provide financial assistance to families of children who have cancer and to fund research at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Houston Medical Center. Amber serves as executive director of the Kingwood-based organization.

Addison Faith Bender, known as Addi, was diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor when she was 17 months old and did not leave the hospital for three months after her initial MRI.

“She had multiple brain surgeries and heavy, high-dose chemotherapy that was really, really harsh and made her very, very sick,” Amber said. “But [the cancer] was too aggressive, and it kept coming back.”

She said the family was fortunate that Tony’s employer was flexible and willing to work with them during their daughter’s illness. Meanwhile, Amber was a stay-at-home mom and was able to care for Addi.

Taking care of a child with cancer is an around-the-clock job, and often one parent has to quit his or her job, Amber said. At a time when a family’s financial demands have increased due to medical bills or from travel expenses to and from treatment, their income decreases.

Addi’s Faith allows parents with children diagnosed with cancer to apply for financial assistance online or by mail. Each month the organization’s review board meets, reviews the applications, checks their confirmation letters and sends out what funds it can to families in need.

“We send them a check, so they can use it for what they need.” Amber said. “Some people need the money for travel because they’re getting treatment across the country somewhere. Some people need it for their housing bills or because their car broke down.”

The foundation did just that for Tiffany Williamson when her son Ethan was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2014. As an 8-year-old at the time of his diagnosis, Ethan was an honoree for Addi’s Faith’s Walk By Faith 10K/5K Race. The nonprofit supported the Williamson family emotionally and financially as Ethan underwent treatment for about a year until he was declared cancer free in April 2015.

“They reached out to us shortly after Ethan was diagnosed and offered financial support, but more importantly they offered their heart,” Tiffany said. “Their openness to share Addi’s story, their devotion to God, their dedication to raising funds for research and awareness, and the knowing of what our family was facing—the combination was inspiring and gave us hope and touched us in a powerful way.”

The organization’s other main objective is to fund pediatric neuro-oncology research. Amber said most of the funding for the research of childhood cancers comes from organizations like hers in which parents have lost a child and decide to take action.

So far Addi’s Faith Foundation has given over $800,000 of the $1.5 million it has pledged to MD Anderson.

The pediatric neuro-oncology research lab there is named in Addi’s honor and is in Phase 2 of a clinical trial that uses cells that were removed from her tumor. The organization makes quarterly payments to the hospital so the research can continue without having to wait for more funding.

The foundation also provides scholarships to children who have survived brain tumors and supports an organization, Holley’s Hope, that provides grief support for parents whose children have died.

Amber said that although the scholarships are a small part of what the organization does, the scholarships offer some hope and encourage parents and children who are currently facing the disease.

WAYS TO HELP

• Addi’s Faith hosts several events to support families dealing with childhood cancer and cancer research.
• Visit www.addisfaithfoundation.org to learn more, donate online or sign up for the email newsletter.
• Send donation checks to 2410 Riverway Oak Drive, Kingwood.
• Attend Walk by Faith 10K/5K Race on Nov. 12 at the University of Houston.
• Attend the AddiShack Charity Golf Tournament held each spring.

2410 Riverway Oak Drive, Kingwood
281-785-4098
www.addisfaithfoundation.org

HOUSTON (May 29) — The latest effort in the 15-year history of championing Houston-area children’s charities had the Deacons of Deadwood Motorcycle Club donating $12,000 to Addi’s Faith, a Kingwood-based foundation dedicated to eradicating childhood cancer while simultaneously supporting families caring for a child in treatment.

The guys really have taken a personal interest in the mission of Addi’s Faith.

“The support we have received from the Deacons of Deadwood Motorcycle Club through the years has been a true blessing to us, the kids we serve, and the families who are dealing with a really tough time in their lives,” said Amber Bender, co-founder of Addi’s Faith. “These wonderful and giving men work tirelessly year-round at raising funds to help kids and we are proud to be one of their charities.

“Caring for a child with cancer is emotionally and financially draining and more and more parents come to us for help each year. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Deacons, we can offer assistance to many more families in their time of need.”

“It was wonderful to have Amber and her staff join us at our latest meeting,” said Geoff Seaman, club president. “Having lived through a tragedy herself, Amber knows first-hand what families have to deal with when they have a child battling cancer. Her own experiences have made her so passionate about helping others.

“The guys really have taken a personal interest in the mission of Addi’s Faith. We participate in their events each year and they are quick to help us when we need assistance with our fundraisers. It’s been a wonderful relationship, one we hope continues until a cure has been discovered.”

Inspired by a little girl’s courageous battle with brain cancer, Addi’s Faith Foundation is working to end childhood cancer. By funding critical pediatric research, AFF ensures advancements are made towards less toxic, yet more effective treatments. AFF also provides emotional and financial support to parents caring for a child with cancer. A 501(c)(3) charity, AFF has distributed more than $1 million since its inception in 2007.

…except it isn’t.  Today is the day forever seared into the very depths of my soul. The day I last held my baby girl as she gasped for breath in my arms. She had fought her battle; one that was not to be won here on earth. In her ridiculously short life, my daughter had already experienced more pain and suffering than most experience in a lifetime….and so have I. I don’t think she was in pain in those final moments (that was my second greatest wish anyway) but she sure did hang on. I told her repeatedly that it was ok to go. That I would see her again in Heaven and that Daddy and I would be alright. But for whatever reason, “it” took some time. I’ll spare you the final details (although I know there are a few of you who were by my side and will remember the details all too well).

THE DAY. TODAY. It’s been 8 years. Wait! What? That can’t be right. But it is. It’s been 8 years. Seems like a lifetime ago, but feels like yesterday. Some would say that you should be “over it” by now. (No really. “They” say it.) But I’m here to tell you that the death of your child is something that you will never, ever “get over”. Understand it? Not in this lifetime. Accept it? I guess. Wait, do I have another choice? No? Are you sure? Ok. Then, I have to accept it and move on. That’s the (please pardon my French here) bitch right there. The “moving on”. You do because you have to…not because you want to. And then, moment by moment, you just keep moving further and further from THE DAY. But your heart and soul is still stuck. Stuck in that moment in time when your baby took their final breath. And nothing. is. ever. the same again.

BUT…THE DAY. TODAY is the day that my brilliant, handsome 14 year old son will walk on his own two healthy legs into an amazing school where he is privileged to receive an excellent education. TODAY is the day that my sweet, gregarious 12 year old will laugh with his friends in one of the greatest countries on Earth. TODAY is the day that my sassy, adorable 6 year old will do cartwheels all the way home from Kindergarten. It may be THE DAY and as much as that hurts, TODAY still offers so many wonderful blessings and for that…TODAY, I can only be grateful.

I love you forever Sweet Pea!

Don’t you just love that story? I think it sets the perfect backdrop to help kick off September which is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Like saving all the starfish, curing cancer may appear to be an endless task. There are many miles to cover and the distance is daunting. But the beautiful thing is this…there’s always HOPE! Little changes have great impact. Big or small, young or old, rich or poor, each and every one of us can make a difference. No, we are not going to have the cure by tomorrow. Nor will we be able to provide help to every family who needs it. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make a difference! Day by day (starfish by starfish) we can make life better for kids who are fighting cancer.

To help get you started, I’ve put together a little list of ways that YOU can make a difference in the fight against childhood cancer. Pick one. Pick 10. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you DO SOMETHING! If we each pick up even one starfish, together, we can clear that beach lickety-split!

• Join our email list so you can stay involved in the fight. (You can sign up at the bottom of this page)
• Commit to giving your next birthday. Ask for donations to AFF in lieu of gifts.
• Tell a friend about Addi’s Faith Foundation and our mission of funding research and helping families.
• Like us on Facebook. More importantly…click “See First” found under the like/following button. That way you’ll actually see what we post. ?
• Register for the 7th Annual Walk by Faith. Ask 5 friends to join you.
• Wear gold and tell people why it’s important to “go gold”. Need a shirt?
• Ask Congress to take action.
• Start a FUNdrasier. Have a bake sale, organize a casual day at work, hold a pizza eating contest…the skies the limit. Have fun with it!
• Donate
• Replace the lace. Change your shoestrings to gold this month.
• Educate yourself on childhood cancer.
• Pray…for the kids, for their families, for a cure. (You have your very own hyperlink 24/7!)
• Join AFF at the Astros vs. Rangers game and help Strike Out Childhood Cancer. More Info
• Understand why childhood cancer is different from adult and how it needs it’s own research. Video
• Follow us on Twitter
• Take a closer look at childhood cancer. Video
• Link your Kroger Plus Card and Randalls Remarkable Card to AFF. Here’s How
• Add a gold ribbon to your profile picture.
• Join in the Mothers Against Cancer run.
• Volunteer
• Find us on Instagram Post pics of you “going gold”.
• Make AFF your Reason 2 Race! Donate your next 5k, marathon, hike, bike, mudrun, color run, or any event to AFF. Here’s how.
• Join our Sunshine Circle and shine rays of HOPE to kids fighting cancer. This dedicated group gives a monthly gift (of any amount) that is automatically charged to their credit card. Just click “monthly” under donation frequency.
• Come to one of our spirit nights at Bahama Buck’s. 3 different nights – 3 different locations. 9/9 in Spring — 9/23 in Cypress — 10/14 in Atascocita.
• Purchase our pencils to give to trick-or-treaters at Halloween.

Well, that should certainly be enough to get ya started. Again, I ask you to please take this opportunity to DO SOMETHING to fight childhood cancer. Together, we can make a difference!

Go Gold!

Amber

Ugggg y’all! It’s a hot (and I mean, Texas-in-August hot!) day and I’m going through my mounds of mail.

Sitting before me, are 10 new applications requesting help from Addi’s Faith Foundation. TEN! And those are all from a 2 week time span. I’m reading things like:

• I’m off work until the end of the year without pay to take care of my daughter.
• We live far from the hospital so it is hard to get back and forth from home, hospital, and work.
• I have gotten behind in my bills and my car is in repo status. I am a single mother and I am having a hard time juggling everything.
• This has definitely been a struggle for our entire family but we have a strong little 4 year old who is going to fight this leukemia!

The struggle is real people. Caring for a child with cancer is a full time job and a drain on your resources. It’s not easy to put your sick child on the back burner so you can go to work. On the other hand, it’s equally difficult to not work and be without the money necessary to care for your child. It is a vicious cycle with no real winner.

I understand this better than most, and that is why we started Addi’s Faith Foundation. Luckily, I no longer have the struggles of caring for a sick child. (Truly people, poisoning your child with chemo is just flat our horrific). Now I have a different struggle…keeping up with the demand for help. AFF is receiving far more requests than we have the resources for and it is tugging on my heart. I do realize that we can’t help everyone (childhood cancer is not quite as rare as people would like to think!) But I’m finding it difficult to say, “I know your kid has cancer and is literally fighting for his life. I understand that you want to be by his side but also need to work. I sympathize with you, knowing that this is more than a parent can bear and I realize that you need help. But so sorry. Too bad. Can’t help ya.” Uggggg y’all! That just sucks!

I need your help and my appeal to you is this. Please consider a monthly donation to Addi’s Faith Foundation. Whether you give $10 a month or $100, your monthly gift will allow us to say, “Yes! We can help!”

It’s so easy to do! Simply donate online and check the ‘monthly’ box under ‘donation frequency’. Your card will be charged monthly and you won’t have to do anything else. Cancelling or changing your donation amount is as easy as contacting me.

I know that there are lots of worthy causes out there vying for your donations. I am also fully aware that I sound like Sally Struthers when I say that you can make a true difference for less than your monthly Starbucks fix. (Just because it sounds corny doesn’t mean it isn’t true!) But I do hope you will consider my plea and take the next step in becoming a monthly donor to Addi’s Faith Foundation.

Thanks in advance!

Amber