Peter Thomas Senese and I CARE Foundation - Protecting Children

 

As a group of child abduction prevention advocates working together since 2010, key individuals who make up the I CARE Foundation's board of directors have worked extensively to help children and families in crisis targeted for abduction.

The I CARE Foundation officially commenced our operations in 2011 as a non-profit organization. During our first year of formal operations, reported cases of international parental child abduction from the U.S. during 2011 declined by 15% that year (the first time in history the international child abduction rate declined). The I CARE Foundation expanded our operations in 2012: reported cases of international parental child abduction declined for the second consecutive year by 15%.  During the early part of 2013, the I CARE Foundation has played major roles in reuniting children abducted and trafficked, while helping at-risk parents stop the kidnapping of their targeted children.

Read more about the I CARE Foundation and our activity fighting to protect children at risk of kidnapping.

On behalf of the I CARE Foundation, I am pleased to share my quarterly report on the foundation's accomplishments, activities, and plans for the future.Though there remains a great deal of challenges, particularly with existing international parental child abduction cases, the tide is turning toward preventing future cases of abduction.

Please read the report.

Kind regards to all,

Peter Thomas Senese

A Life Filled With So Many Blessings: Helping Children

Yesterday was a completely fulfilling day as I spent the vast majority of the day at Toys R Us and Best Buy shopping for children fighting cancer and other serious illnesses during what has become my annual Christmas tradition of visiting children at several hospitals during this time of year (Okay - I have been blessed to be able to make visits a few times each year: it is something I am sure I will continue to do).

To say the day was deeply gratifying would be an understatement: I do not see the illness these children face and run in despair.  Instead, I see the challenges they face as opportunity to help teach them how to empower themselves and move quicker on a road of good health.

As a multiple cancer conqueror who not only won some serious battles and eventually my own war, there were many things I learned along the way that helped me learn how to fight.

And fight I did during some heavy battles. The first was a tumor occurred 19 years ago and was suppose to cause my right leg to be amputated: today I swim hard, I run fast, and I don't know anyone who can navigate a New York street during rush hour the way I can.

I remember how nearly 16 years ago another tumor in my head was suppose to cause my life to end.  I remember the ordeal, and if you will, the ordeal on top of the ordeal to get healthy.  And I remember what it was like to have experimental treatment.  And to become so weak and so frail. And during this time, to have others show incredible financial greed because they thought I was going to die. And somehow, through it all, to become so damn strong, emotionally, physically, and trusting spiritually.  

And somehow - through that ordeal I was born.

To only face another dragon a year later.  And it was then, during that time, though I did not know it, that I would soon embark on Chasing The Cyclone, for my perspective on life changed, and that, in one sense made me gullible and vulnerable.

But not for long.  And that promise that I made when my life changed forever, drives me today as it did many years ago.  If anything, I have become a bit wiser, a bit stronger, a surely more capable. I know that I have been able to help many children in crisis facing a different threat: the horror of international abduction.  And I know that fate led me down that road of the last cancer fight in order for me to somehow become a person who would fight for these children - and keep fighting.

You see, through all of it, the one thing - and perhaps the most important  thing- was to find the magic that is in life each and every day: magic that surrounds each of us, and to share it.

It was by finding that magic that all other medical and spiritual treatments were elevated and became more tangible. 

Now, I have never wrote about this, but God knows I needed to find the magic because I was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis II: a disease that caused deadly cancerous tumors to grow on the body's nerve trunks.  Unfortunately, the vast majority of people pass from NF2. However, for the slim few who can survive during the high incubation period where the genome is highly active, there is a very good chance of living a long, long life because the genome that causes NF2 disappears all together.  I know this first-hand because I have had multiple genomic tests - and I have made it through.  I have conquered the dragon. And oddly, the NF2 is not gene related.  How I got this - I still don't know .. but it is gone.

So, I have to admit, I felt joyful shopping the way we did yesterday. And I am very pleased with the cool gifts we picked up the children.
 

But truth is the real joy for me will be found when I visit several hospitals from now until Christmas - and do something much more than just give out very cool Christmas gifts:  I will talk to some amazing, brave, and eager children and share with them how to see and use the magic in life, and how to use that magic and make it a sword that they can use to beat the dragon.

Sometimes, and with the children's parents permission, I let them touch my scars.  And we laugh about them.  But you see ... it seems they can laugh with me because I am no longer frail and week, but strong and filled with the power of life.  And they see and know this.
 

I know I have been blessed to beat back the dragon.  I know the promise I made to the God I believe in to help others should I be given the ability to have beaten the dragon.  I know that days like yesterday and the coming days help define my life, give it incredible value, allow me to meet amazing, mighty warriors, and gives me clear sight of the magic that is in all of our lives.

Some of you may be surprised to know that I had successfully fought a serious, life-threatening disease.  And this is the first time I really spoke about it outside of the walls of the hospitals I visit. So thank you for letting me share this - and thank you for allowing me to see the magic many of you have brought into my life: that magic seen is magic shared.

There is one last thing I want to say: the incredible friendships I have made and shared are amongst my most valued treasures.  My friendships have allowed me to be part of several amazing, flourishing communities, and these communities are filled with so much magic and magical people.  And it is what I have come to embrace in the communities I am a part of that I take with me and share with the children fighting the dragon.

It is easy to make a positive difference in another person's life.  All you have to do is believe . . .

-Peter-


P. S. - my dear friend Joel Walter is an amazing attorney who has dedicated so much of his life to helping children.  Joel has been with through all of my fights, and always acted in my best interest so that I could live.  His assistance in helping with the children is remarkable.  This season, we do what we do in honor of our dear friend Robert Medori, who passed away this past week.  Robert demonstrated what was the best qualities that was found in men.



 

Peter Thomas Senese Donates 100% Of Book Revenue to Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts | A Word From Author Peter Thomas Senese#!/2012/11/peter-thomas-senese-donates-100-of-book.html

I will be donating 100% of my book earnings generated from the sale of my best-selling international geopolitical thrillers to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts with a focus on Long Beach, Rockaway Beach, Breezy Point, Gerritsan Beach, Staten Island, and communities on the New Jersey shore.

 

Please take the time to consider helping by picking up a copy or two of one of my novels today.  There are so many individuals that need help that are falling through the cracks.

 

Here is a more detailed article.

Peter Thomas Senese Donates 100% Of Book Revenue to Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts | A Word From Author Peter Thomas Senese#!/2012/11/peter-thomas-senese-donates-100-of-book.html

Read the essay, 'Trying To Wrap My Head Around Sandy'

New York Police Officer Has Daughter Internationally Abducted

CM is a New York City resident and a highly decorated active duty police officer who previously was a New York City firefighter was attacked has been fighting a three-year war to try and reunite with his internationally abducted daughter, who was illegally detained in Germany.

International parental child abduciton is expected to see anywhere from 100,000 to 125,000 American children illegally detained abarod over the next 10 years, with as little as 10% of these children ever coming home.

As the case of CM demonstrates, no parent, even highly decoreated police officers are not immune to international parental child abduciton.

Please take a moment to read about the incredible journey of a man who has served his city, state, and nation in the name of justice and good citizenship, and the nightmare he and his daughter have faced.

If you are a reporter interested in knowing more about CM, please contact me at peter@stopchildabduction.org.

Thank you,

Peter Thomas Senese
Author
Chasing The Cyclone

Peter Senese: Reuniting Children of Abduction

                                                           


Best-selling author Peter Thomas Senese

As a board member of the I CARE Foundation, I take great pride in being able to have played a major role in helping a large number of children who were previously internationally abducted reunite with their targeted parent and family as well as helping an even larger number of parents protect their children from being internationally kidnapped.

It is not easy. 

In reality, the deck is stacked against any parent trying to reunite with a child or prevent a child from disappearing overseas. 



Chasing The Cyclone

Helping children from being internationally abducted or reunited with their targeted parent and family has been a goal of mine ever since I was unexpectedly forced to race into the nightmarish storms of international parental child abduction that is the basis of my novel 'Chasing The Cyclone' critics all around the world have been very generous to speak of. In fact, my commitment was much more than a goal: it was a promise I made to the God I believe in that one day I would stand to help others who face the same unthinkable storms of abduction my child and I faced.

At that time that my journey into the world of abduction began, I had never even heard of the collective words 'international parental child abduction' or the 'Hague Convention'.

I sure know of them now.

But words and desires alone do no make a difference. Action makes a difference. Commitment makes a difference. Standing unbowed in the face of deterrents makes a difference. And acting in goodness to help others who cannot help themselves makes a difference.



The I CARE Foundation

Paying close attention to action, commitment, determination, and in goodness, more than a few miracles on behalf of children have been created. Many children have been rescued. Many more children will escape the chains of international kidnapping. And many, many more children will be protected and never be taken.

These words of appreciation and insight shared by other parents who I and the not-for-profit I CARE Foundation I am the Founding Director of mean a great deal to me.  They serve as a reminder of what can do and what must be done to protect children (Click here to review sworn testimonial letters about how Peter Thomas Senese has helped children):

 EP, whose child was abducted to the Ivory Coast eight years ago spoke of the miracle Peter Thomas Senese created, “On January 16th, 2012, I received a telephone call from Peter Thomas Senese. He said to me that my son was on an airplane 30,000 feet high over Africa and on his way home to the United States . As for Peter Thomas Senese, what can I say about this incredible man who led the efforts on all fronts to rescue my son? He asked for nothing other than for me to help others one day when my child was home, he provided financial support, emotional support, and all the necessary legal support required. I will be forever grateful to Peter Thomas Senese and the I CARE Foundation for the selfless acts and considerable kindness.”

TD, whose child was abducted to Nigeria added of the miracle Peter Thomas Senese also created, “On March 22^nd, 2012 my toddler son was kidnapped from Colorado to Nigeria. All appeared hopeless. Nigeria is not a member of nay foreign treaty, there was very little the U.S. government could do to help me in Nigeria. Very few children have ever been returned to America from Africa. I eventually contacted Peter Thomas Senese, as he is well-respected in the area of IPCA, who told me, “You need to be patient, but we will get your son home.” His words were simply not words. On June 11^th, 2012 at approximately 10:15 p.m. while standing inside the Denver International Airport, I held my son in my arms! My son was back home, in America, just like Mr. Senese said he would be.  Peter Thomas Senese has given so much to my family. God Bless you Peter for all you have done for me and my family.”

CF stated, “I found myself a young mom alone facing a terrifying life threatening cancer fight while also desperately trying to find and bring home my abducted son. There is no question in my mind that without Peter’s assistance I would have lost my son. From bringing on an overseeing the investigations to attorneys needed to help me, to staying in consistent contact with me every step of the way during a very complex process, Peter’s incredible actions bespeak of his unquestionable kindness, caring, compassion, and what is right about this world. He never asked me for anything, but gave and gave and gave . . . And at 4:35 a.m. on a Friday morning standing next to me at the airport as my son was taken off a flight and [held] into my loving arms, was Peter Thomas Senese. As far as Peter Thomas Senese is concerned, he is an incredible man. He is direct, honest, loyal, compassionate, and made an enormous difference in my and my family’s life. Without him, not only would I not have reunited with my abducted son . . . I prayed to God for help and a miracle. God answered. I am forever thankful to my friend Peter Thomas Senese and all he has done for me and my family.”

AB said, “Chasing The Cyclone and Peter Thomas Senese have assisted me and my family significantly in protecting my daughters from being parentally abducted to Saudi Arabia, where women like myself have no rights. If my children were abducted there, I would never see them again. Today, I sleep a little better due to the incredible efforts of Peter Thomas Senese. Knowing Mr. Senese has helped ensure my children’s safety and has helped protect us from Chasing The Cyclone of international child abduction. Along the way, he has never asked for anything.”

MR. said, “Unequivocally, Peter Thomas Senese is a tremendous person of great honor and integrity, he acts selflessly on behalf of children all across the globe, he is honest, sincere, unbowed, and willing to stand up against those that act against others. My abducted child is coming home, finally after all these years, in no small way because of the great assistance I received from Peter Thomas Senese.”

TP, a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy (reserve) and a mother said, “Mr. Senese has assisted me during legal proceedings I have initiated in order to prevent my at-risk daughter from being abducted to Brazil . . . Chasing The Cyclone as a matter-of-fact guide as to the risk factors that may indicate an abduction and legal steps to take in order to prevent this from happening. Mr. Senese’s work and network continue to protect my daughter and other targeted children.”

Of course, when you are dealing with defending against international parental child abduction, the kidnapper or those working with the abductor are not going to be very happy to know that abduction prevention advocates such as myself and the I CARE Foundation team who possess a strong track record of assisting children are acting to stop their illicit and abusive act.  So, part of the turf in working tirelessly to protect children from being abducted or rescuing kidnapped children is that child abusing abductors will attempt to discredit me and the I CARE Foundation team. There efforts will have no bearing on our highly dedicated foundation: we will continue to act to stop child abduction and whenever possible, legally assist a parent in their heroic effort to reunite with their stolen child or children


                                                          The I CARE Foundation

A great deal of the goals I have set out to achieve have been connected to the I CARE Foundation.

For those of you who are not aware of the I CARE Foundation, we are a not-for-profit organization that  has gradually become a visible stakeholder in the world of international parental child abduction prevention and reunification with a large and growing list of impressive accomplishments. 

The accomplishments of the I CARE Foundation include assisting in numerous LEGAL international child abduction recoveries and reunification, heavily participated in exponentially more successful acts to prevent abduction from occurring, our ongoing groundbreaking research in the area of international child abduction and trafficking has provided new, accurate, and insightful information as to the severity of the global epidemic society as a whole has before it, our comprehensive and expansive reporting of our research findings has led other stakeholders to protect numerous children from abduction while allowing us to significantly advance our legislative initiatives, some of which have either already become law or agency policy, while legislative initiatives are moving forward in a manner we could hope for.  Additionally, we continue to build a national network of pro bono lawyers who participate in the U.S. Department of State's 'Hague Convention Attorney Network', while nearing completion for the first-ever international child abduction case law data base.  

One last thing: as some of you may know, I have donated 100% of all of my publishing earnings to the I CARE Foundation in order to help try to recover children who have been abducted.  So, if you're interested in reading any of my novels such as Chasing The Cyclone, The Den of the Assassin, Cloning Christ, or War on Wall Street, know that your purchase will be directed to making a difference for children.

For more information about the I CARE Foundation please feel free to send an email to mediarelations@stopchildabduction.org.