Karina Bland
Lead Writer at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Lead writer at ALSAC/@StJude. https://t.co/4psexGJuCC | Before: Columnist, The Arizona Republic, @azcentral | bit of a smart mouth
Articles
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3 weeks ago |
stjude.org | Karina Bland
Natalie is a big sister for the first time, and the 4-year-old is embracing the role, cuddling baby sister, Tessie, and singing her made-up songs. She asks constantly to hold Tessie and kisses and rocks her gently. “I love you,” Natalie croons. “She’s found her calling,” her mom, Nicole, said. She wasn’t sure how Natalie would handle a new addition to the family. Not only was Natalie the youngest of five but she also was so sick for so long that they’d doted on her even more.
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2 months ago |
stjude.org | Karina Bland
Sabrina was 9 and in treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® when her fourth-grade teacher assigned her to memorize a poem as homework. She chose Langston Hughes’ “Mother to Son.” In it, a mother speaks to her son about her life, which “ain’t been no crystal stair,” but she encourages him to always press on: “So boy, don’t you turn back.
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2 months ago |
stjude.org | Karina Bland
On a clear sunny Sunday in October at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, the congregation came together to honor longtime member Teah Palmer and support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, where hope is a daily practice. “We know what can happen when we hope, don’t we? Teah taught us that,” ALSAC Chief Financial Officer Kera Wright told the congregation.
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2 months ago |
stjude.org | Karina Bland
Engagement photos courtesy of Lauren Hawkins Photography For their first date, Griffin asked Emily to brunch at a ‘50s-style beauty shop turned hip restaurant in midtown Memphis. Brunch was a new move for Griffin. “More serious than coffee but not as serious as dinner and drinks,” he said, grinning. Sitting next to Griffin now as they tell the story of how they met, Emily rolled her eyes and laughed. Griffin makes her laugh — a lot. It’s what she first liked about him.
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Jan 8, 2025 |
stjude.org | Karina Bland
On stage, when Emily and her sibling Callie perform — Callie on the guitar — the two harmonize seamlessly: “The wind howls/like a wolf in the night/take cover my love/the storm’s coming for us tonight.” Even from the audience, their connection is unmistakable. From the moment Emily was born in 1999, Callie claimed her as their own. “My baby,” the then 5-year-old told everyone. “I simply wouldn't let anyone else have her,” Callie said.
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Her mom wasn’t sure how Natalie would handle a new sibling. She was the family’s baby and doted on during her cancer treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A big sister for the first time, "she's found her calling." https://t.co/LDWpRVBRs1
At 9, Sabrina didn't tell anyone she was afraid during cancer treatment @StJude. Her mom called her “a little soldier.” So Sabrina wrote poetry, pouring her fears into notebooks. My favorite starts: “When I was nine I was prepared for my funeral…” https://t.co/yIAoIUU0or
I LOVE a good love story, and what Griffin loves most about Emily is her zest for life. She takes joy in everyday things. Afternoon walks. Playing outside with their dog. Singing along to showtunes in the car. Maybe because Emily almost didn't get a life. https://t.co/ycrKrdLCqw