One Last Christmas: The Dax Locke Story
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- Category: Blog
- Published: Tuesday, 07 December 2010 10:57
Matthew West explains more of the story behind the song:
I have a new Christmas song this season that I wanted to take a moment to tell you more about. The song is called “One Last Christmas” and it actually came from my time at the cabin. Like all the songs on The Story of Your Life, this song has a story. But the way the story came to me was a unique. I received three different stories from three different people all in this small town in Illinois whose lives have been impacted by the life of a two year-old boy named Dax. At just thirteen months old, little Dax was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia. He was given two bone marrow transplants as a part of emergency treatment; one from each of his parents. The doctors then told his parents that Dax would most likely not make it to see Christmas.
Well, this song is inspired by the true story of the love of a family, and the coming together of an entire community to make sure that this little boy could have one last Christmas. His dad, determined that his son would see Christmas, put up the decorations early. The neighborhood caught on, and did the same. The whole town soon followed suit. A website was built telling his story. Soon, pictures were sent from all over the world of Christmas decorations that had been put up in his honor. Incredible!
Dax did lose his battle with Leukemia, but not before he got to see one last Christmas. Today, this little boy’s legacy lives on, and his parents are making sure it does. They were so touched by the care they received from St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, that they now have a desire to raise enough money to run the entire hospital for one day in honor of their son, Dax. The total cost to run St. Jude’s for one day is $1.6 million dollars. Already, they have raised a quarter of a million dollars.
Right now, I have a song called “My Own Little World,” that’s been on the radio. That song was written out of a desire to stop looking out for only me. And this Christmas, it is on my heart to join forces with the Locke family, and help them in their cause. I would like to encourage you to join us in raising money that will go to an amazing cause in St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital that cares for so many children each year.
