Raise a glass to Nora and join us in support.
Opening a bottle of wine, sharing with family and friends can have a positive impact. It changes the mood, creates a relaxing atmosphere, and allows for conversations. Wine has been an important fabric of our family being able to travel to Napa, Sonoma, Oregon and Italy, learning about the process and then being able to taste the product is fascinating.
Our daughters Reese and Nora both know what wine shipments look like. They often helped unpack the box and place the wine bottles in our cellar. It was another way to have the kids involved and learn something along the way. It was entertaining but a bit risky as the girls carried the bottles down to the basement cellar. They never dropped a bottle.
In March of ’24, our youngest daughter Nora was diagnosed with the deadliest pediatric brain tumor with an average estimated at 9-11 months. There was no cure, and there is no cure on the horizon. After 5 weeks of radiation, we entered a clinical trial in California, splitting up our family for months at a time.
Nora was rooted in her faith, joyful, big personality, funny, intelligent, athletic, strong and off the charts with her size. She lit up a room when she entered and easily made friends. She stood up for herself but more importantly, she stood up for her friends. We watched Nora go through hell for 3 months with the Car T clinical trial at Stanford. She never complained as she powered through. We were in awe of her strength, determination, boldness and grace.
While she continued to fight, she wanted to help other children doing tough things in hospitals. Sparkle of Love was born. Nora authored and illustrated a book, her story as told by a unicorn. It truly was her inspiration and determination that allowed her to complete this book while her body was failing. Nora was able to see her book through, and the first copy arrived in November which fit well in her hands. She was so proud. Her book has been sold around the world in hospitals to comfort those kids she wanted to help. Child life specialists in pediatric hospitals are reading this book to their patients plus foundations are ordering the book for other children going through cancer treatment.
Nora went to heaven in March of ’25, a year after diagnosis. She was surrounded by her family, snuggled into her parents’ arms. We dearly miss her, but her legacy will live on through our Foundation, Nora’s Sparkle of Love Project. Our goal is to bring awareness to pediatric cancer, raise funds for research and to support other families battling this disease. Nora continues to spread her sparkle and guide us. Her book has opened many doors for the foundation, allowing us to meet new supporters and think outside of the box.
Our dream was to create a wine that embodied Nora’s traits; Strong, Bold, Spicy, Elegance and Beauty. We told her story, pitched the dream, sold the benefits of partnership which allowed this project to move at lightning speed. We have many new partners, experts in the wine space who we now call friends. They have moved mountains to bring this project to life.
A few weeks after pitching the idea, we met at Limerick Lane Cellars in Healdsburg, California to create Nora Belle. The Russian River Valley is well known for its Zinfandel with some vines being over 100 years old. Distribution, top wine sellers from restaurants, wine shops from Saint Louis and Kansas City along with the team at Limerick helped us achieve the dream after 3 rounds of blind tasting. It was a magical night, developing new relationships and friends for life. As we sampled wine and shared stories, we all realized we knew someone who has had cancer. It touches everyone.
When you purchase a bottle or a glass of Nora Belle, you are helping families and researchers fight this disease. Wine has a way of bringing people together, starting conversations, and supporting each other.
IN NORA’S HONOR
Today, the Bunn family honors their daughter by supporting future families affected by DIPG and donating to DIPG research. Through the establishment of Nora’s Sparkle of Love Project, they continue Nora’s fight against this devastating disease.
Make a lasting impact with a donation or purchase:
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MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Donate today to support pediatric brain cancer research and the families fighting against this heartbreaking disease.
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SPRINKLE JOY
Purchase Unicorn Sparkle, a locally-made mix by McCarthy Spice & Blends, filled with love and a touch of magic.
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INSPIRE HOPE
Share Nora’s story by ordering Sparkle of Love, a heartfelt book inspired by her journey, available now on Amazon.