Of all the challenges a parent faces, it is hard to imagine anything worse than your child being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.

     Unfortunately for Jackie Oxford, a fourth grade teacher at Pullen Elementary, that fear became a reality in December when her two-year-old toddler Nate was diagnosed with an invasive form of cancer called medulloblastoma. After taking him for tests to determine the cause of his vomiting and headaches, an MRI revealed tumors in his brain and spine.

      Since that time, Nate has undergone brain surgery and a month-long-cycle of chemotherapy.  He just started his second round last week.

   “It’s very hard – he’s been in the hospital for seven weeks,” said Mrs. Oxford. “He lost all of his body functions-- physical movement, walking, talking-- but he just started smiling and moving his hands again, so it’s giving us renewed hope.”

       Mrs. Oxford says she is eternally grateful for the support she has received from colleagues, family and friends.  She especially applauds the entire Rockwall ISD for going “above and beyond” the call of duty.

     “When this first started, my principal, Renee Demianovich, brought me a huge gift basket and told me she was there for me 100% in whatever way possible,” said Mrs. Oxford. “I got calls from RISD administrators offering support, and Human Resources assured me that my job was secure no matter what.”

      Teachers across the school district gave up personal days to help cover Mrs. Oxford’s absence.  In fact, she’s received enough personal-day-donations to last until the end of the school year.

     “Human Resources sent out an email to the entire district on my behalf and they got an overwhelming response,” said Mrs. Oxford. “Pullen teachers have been remarkable; I’ve even had teachers I never met from other schools offering up their personal days on my behalf.”

     “Rockwall ISD’s theme is the ‘Power of One’ – it’s about how one person can make a difference or how one good deed can change someone’s life.  I think the ‘Power of One’ is alive in Rockwall,” she said.  “It’s about one teacher giving up one day, and you put all those ‘ones’ together, and now look at all the time they’ve given to me to be with my son. From my principal to the administration to the teachers to my fourth grade team – it’s amazing.”

       For more info on ordering a t-shirt or bracelet, or making a donation, visit www.prayfornateoxford.com.