Why would a person surround themselves with people who have been touched by cancer? How could you sleep at night knowing that someone you just met may be in their last stages of life? Is there a way to shut off your emotions and just be on auto pilot? No.
The fact is if you're involved in an event that is fundraising for some type of disease there's always heartache attached. There's always a baseline for your involvement, but as the years float by we are forced to add another name to the list of reasons why we extend ourselves to the [insert your cause here] community.
To some it may be "just another name" but to us, these names are connected to beautiful souls. Some of them fought the good fight and lost, and some are here with us fighting through it or celebrating their victory. Whatever the case, we become entrenched in our fundraising and advocacy efforts. Nobody does this to be better than anyone; we do it to better everyone.
If you're blessed enough to say you've never been touched by cancer then I will confidently guarantee that me and my fundraising friends are out there begging dollar for dollar to reach our fundraising goals. This is all so that you can always say you've never been touched by cancer. The statistics say that you will eventually be directly affected. We are working every day to change that, and change doesn't come quickly, easily, or for free.
Heaven forbid you need the resources that come from the fundraising dollars we raise, know that your donation was at least in part due to what lead that resource available. Now it becomes full circle. Perhaps now it means a little bit more to you when someone asks for a donation than it did before you were affected. You see we have been directly affected, we do not want the same for you!
Today is World Cancer Day, and yesterday, today, and tomorrow the dark fact of the matter is that we are losing people to this disease. We have come a long, long way, yes, but there is still work to be done, and quite honestly, you are the person that can help keep the wheels turning on the bus. I'll drive the bus, but I need you to pay for the gas. Next time I or anyone else asks for a donation, please consider this blog posting. Asking for money for a cause isn't easy but neither is cancer, and the progress we're making is substantial. Please do not assume your donation isn't necessary. If everyone thought that we'd never raise a single dollar. Likewise, do not assume that because money has been raised it's enough; it's not. Until there's a cure for all I will keep asking.
Please make a donation today. It's not for me, it's for all of us. Thank you!
www.the3day.org/goto/aubreys30th
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
A piece of my time
When I picked up my coffee this morning it took me extra long. It's funny because I told my coworkers I was "Going for a super duper fast coffee run. Be right back!" I was gone for half hour; it should have been 10 minutes.
When I pulled up to the window I was greeted by a girl with a dirty blonde bob hair cut, a cute but raggedy old sweater, and a layered top in Seahawks colors. Her name was Kate.
Kate and I talked about our boys bringing home the Lombardi, our dreams, our work, charity work, and good coffee. We shared common interests, laughed, and got choked up about passionate subjects.
I admit that at first I was hoping we could hurry things up. I had a mountain of work at home to do and did say I'd be back quickly. But as she went on I suddenly realized that I just needed to let go and be chatty with her. The work would be there when I got back to my desk.
We talked about her recovery, religion versus spirituality, and what real friendships are made of. By the end of the conversation it was like we were old friends.
Just before I pulled away she said "It's people like you that give me hope. Thank you."
What had I done to deserve such sweet admiration? I gave her a piece of my time and a smile. Nothing more, nothing less. Really, that was all that she was asking for. I allowed myself to be fully present on the conversation instead of rushing home like I had planned to do.
Next time someone is asking for a piece of your time I hope you give it to them. I know I will think twice about rushing off again.
When I pulled up to the window I was greeted by a girl with a dirty blonde bob hair cut, a cute but raggedy old sweater, and a layered top in Seahawks colors. Her name was Kate.
Kate and I talked about our boys bringing home the Lombardi, our dreams, our work, charity work, and good coffee. We shared common interests, laughed, and got choked up about passionate subjects.
I admit that at first I was hoping we could hurry things up. I had a mountain of work at home to do and did say I'd be back quickly. But as she went on I suddenly realized that I just needed to let go and be chatty with her. The work would be there when I got back to my desk.
We talked about her recovery, religion versus spirituality, and what real friendships are made of. By the end of the conversation it was like we were old friends.
Just before I pulled away she said "It's people like you that give me hope. Thank you."
What had I done to deserve such sweet admiration? I gave her a piece of my time and a smile. Nothing more, nothing less. Really, that was all that she was asking for. I allowed myself to be fully present on the conversation instead of rushing home like I had planned to do.
Next time someone is asking for a piece of your time I hope you give it to them. I know I will think twice about rushing off again.
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