I've been working with the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation since 1999. I had been wanting to work with them for almost a decade before that. But back then, before the information age had began, I usually found out about an event after it had passed. In those years since I have been truly blessed by my participation and my reasons for being involved have grown.
Back then you needed $35 in donations to participate. My mom back in California wanted to help. So, while I was trying to muster up the courage to ask somebody for a donation, she went out and raised the $35 and a few cents more. I was under the impression that people might like to know that their name would be shared with the world when they made a donation. Of course, I had no idea how I would do that, but I made the promise that I would carry their names.
A few days before the event, an envelope arrived. It was heavy and noisy. It contained a piece of paper with a list of names and the $35 all in coins. The donations were listed as from $.17 to $1.20. My mom had raised the whole thing simply from the pocket change of people that came by her office. So, I kept my promise.
I took rows of duct tape and covered nearly half my windshield then wrote the names of all the kind folks who helped. At the top, "This Ride Sponsored By:" I got more looks over that duct tape. But, the tape didn't take much from the appearance of the old, cobbled machine that barely rode in a straight line anyway.
That day we left in a tight parade formation two bikes wide in a line that stretched over a mile. We rode from a mall parking lot in a near Chicago suburb to a junior college out near Elgin. On the way we rode through the Fermi Labs property and the village of St. Charles. The old downtown section of St. Charles was lined with people for about three blocks. There was a fire department ladder truck out. They had the ladder out over the road with a huge American flag hanging from it. Then there was this little family huddled under an umbrella. They had a sign that said, "Carly wanted to be here..." As I looked back at the road in the very close formation, my eyes started to tear up as my heart sank. Then I looked back to finish reading the sign, "...but she's at camp thanks to you." Now the tears just started to flow, "Oh for crying out loud people, I have to drive here. How am I supposed to see?"
Since then, there has been no question. I HAVE to do this. Over the last couple years I went from gearing up and holding multiple events to having to dial back. Life has happened. My mom died, my wife had multiple surgeries, I was working 300 miles from home and changed jobs to come home. We moved as a family. And I am a student working on my masters degree close to full time.
So, my events have had to take a back seat. But we still have to help. You see, we don't just send kids to camp anymore, we send them to college. We hear from doctors how the grant they received from us is making a difference in keeping kids alive and letting them live better lives. We've watched kids beat their tumors and grow up. And as a community we've broken down and cried when we've lost one.
So, I still help the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. But today I do it with knowledge and understanding. I know how important this really is now. The young man pictured above is Dominic. He is my brother-in-law. He is absolutely the most awesome young man. He had a brain tumor when he was just tiny. They beat the tumor. But the medications they had to use to save his life have changed him. The after effect of the medications have been horrific. He rarely talks, he almost never walks, even with help. His eyesight and hearing are questionable. And his apparent mental and emotional functions are severely retarded. He is essentially an over-sized toddler with no ability to care for himself and an unknown life expectancy. He, and his entire family, are in this position because his fight with cancer was nearly 30 years ago.
We've made progress in the fight. We really have. The life expectancies are much better and the quality of life is completely different. But, WE ARE NOT DONE. This is not over and we can't let it be over. That's why I'm asking for your help. Please spread the word. Share my page with everyone you know:
http://pbtf.convio.net/site/TR/2014RideforKids/General?px=1216645&pg=personal&fr_id=1780#.U44fGvldWSo
Then please go to my page and make a secure donation. Remember, many people donating a little is worth so much more than a few donating much. So, even if you can spare $5.00, that's HUGE!!!
Thank you friends!