Inspiration for Today: Batman

Most people know Batman as a crime fighting superhero. Around Maryland and Washington, DC, he is also fighting the blues.

A couple of times a month, Lenny Robinson drives to hospitals in his personal Batmobile dressed in a full Batman suit. He visits with children battling cancer and other serious conditions, hands out Batman toys, poses for pictures, and brings smiles to the faces of the children and their parents. A “self-made success” with “the bank account to prove it” (his Batmobile is actually a Lamborghini), Robinson himself purchased the costume, Batmobile, and the gifts he hands out. He hasn’t sought recognition for his work, but a family friend finally convinced Robinson to let him reveal his identity. Click here to read the profile in the Washington Post.

For a lot of families, Lenny Robinson really is a superhero.

Lenny "Batman" Robinson with his Batmobile (photo by Jonathan Newton)

Talking to Children about the Transplant

A child that needs a bone marrow or stem cell transplant to treat a disease or genetic condition may have a lot of questions about the procedure. Be the Match and the National Marrow Donor Program have created “Super Sam versus the Marrow Monsters” to help parents explain what their child can expect before, during, and after treatment. The video is told from the perspective of a young transplant patient named Sam and with a mixture of animation and real life interviews, children can follow Sam through the transplant process and also meet other children who have had transplants.

Click here for more resources on talking to children about their transplants or a sibling’s transplant.

Inspiration for Today: 1 in 14 million

For anyone who isn’t convinced that one person can make a difference, check out this video about a young girl battling hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and the one bone marrow donor in 14 million who was a match for her.

From Tampa’s WFTS ABC Action News

To read more about Hannah’s story, click here.