Originally...

when we started 9D Years for Noah, our goal was to provide Mighty Bears to children who were either sick in the hospital and/or battling a life-threatening illness or disease during the holidays. However, we've come to realize (and really have always known) that the sad truth is this: children get sick and have to walk these tough journeys, are pushed into a war against a disease or illness that is trying to take their lives - just like The Mighty, my Noah - and it's not JUST during the holidays. It's all year long. Since we started 9D Years for Noah, we've amended our goals. Our new goals are to provide Mighty Bears ALL YEAR LONG to these special children in an effort to give back some hope, to let them know that they are not alone and that they are cared for. Deeply. THIS is exactly what Mighty would do. THIS is exactly what we will do...

Welcome...

Welcome to 9D Years for Noah...The name 9D Years comes from the prayer we began to pray in the very first moments of this most difficult journey. On May 1, 2007, our lives changed permanently. Suddenly, we were no longer smilingly naive. Suddenly, we were keenly aware of the very tenuous nature of this thing we call Life. Suddenly, we felt the fragility of our time, our days here. Suddenly, we were on our knees before God, begging, pleading, praying - the doctors had given Noah 9 months and we began asking, petitioning for 90 years. On May 1, 2007, not only was our 5-year old son Noah Bailey Dowell diagnosed with a brain tumor, but he also underwent a very serious brain surgery to remove the tumor and was then given a mere 9 months to live. We never told him that part. And we never treated Noah like he was sick or like there was a potentially life-threatening thing hovering threateningly over him, over our family and our lives. From the beginning, our Noah has been Mighty. Long before we ever took our first reluctant step on this journey, Noah was Mighty. He was a bubbly, outgoing 5-year old on May 1, 2007 and should have been enjoying childish little boy things, but he was thrust into this battle and while yet a child, he battled in a Mighty fashion...he battled like a man, like a Mighty little warrior man. We couldn't have asked for anything more other than more time. Noah lived his life in a Mighty way, leaving behind a Mighty legacy and an amazing example of how to live in faith, leaning fully upon the Lord for guidance, protection, comfort, love, everything.

The Mighty was all about giving and that is the purpose of this fund. 9D Years for Noah will give back to the community and to other children who are sick and in the hospital. The Mighty Bear is one way in which we will carry on Noah's work and keep his name and legacy alive. You are welcome to participate, to donate, to help...