Park Cities Going Green For Mom Fighting Cancer
The Park Cities in Dallas are going green--lime green -- all for a University Park mom who is fighting sarcoma.
It was just after 8:00 Wednesday morning when Kim Mercier stood with her mother by her side and friends, family, and some strangers surrounding her. They've all come together for a moment for a moment of silence.
Some of them are University Park moms who have been by Mercier's side since her diagnosis more than a year ago. Her good friend, Kara Dautervive counts her blessings.
"We give praise that we are able to continue running errands, go to grocery store, drive our carpools and go to parties because she can't do that all the time."
But on this morning, they are all coming together to celebrate. It's Mercier's birthday. And the moment of silence that was marked with prayers, sadness, and tears quickly turned. Vicki Roy, another University Park mom, counts "1, 2, 3…" and the group begins to sing, "Happy Birthday to you…" The tears are wiped away and smiles cover the faces of the group of women.
Mercier then surprises the group with the strength to express her gratitude.
"I just want to say thank you for coming out and supporting me... I'm not a good public speaker but... This has been going on since June 2009."
It was June 2009 when doctors told the mother and wife she sarcoma. Sarcoma is a rare form of tissue cancer in her lungs and brain. The beautiful family of fours lives turned upside down.
"I am scared about what's to come you take that fear away from me every day," Mercier tells the group. But on her birthday, she is also the community, which is now "green" to represent sarcoma, that it is what is holding her up.
"It has been a hard fight battle every day, but somebody has been there every day on my computer, on my phone, at my house."
Her house is also covered in green balloons and friends who are here for her day like they've been every day.
"She has the most faithful support I have ever seen," says Beth Rapuzzi, her longtime neighbor and friend.
The woman are all signing a giant birthday card filled with well wishes.
"She has been the inspiration and the rock to so many yet she is the one going through this deal," says University Park mom Jennifer Armayor. The park cities is declared this, November 10th, "Green Out Day."
And Mercier's friend, Jenny Bakers, says Mercier has confirmed "this is the best birthday ever!."
The schools in University and Highland Park are filled with little ones in shades of a green. It's a color they may not completely understand today. They've just been told a mom, a dad, two little boys, and a grandmother…need their support.
"If this isn't love and support what is. If this doesn't bring about a miracle then what will?"
Kim Mercier believes the prays sparked today will bring about the miracle she needs.
