Every few months friends or family will ask for suggestions on how to support someone with young kids whose whose spouse has been diagnosed with cancer. It's unnerving the number of young families dealing with a parent newly diagnosed with the disease. Recently, a cousin … Read More... about Supporting a friend whose spouse has cancer
Balanced Living with Cancer
One young family’s quest to find balance while living with cancer
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“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” One of my favorite quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Our teenage daughter has had the opportunity over the past eight weeks to be part of a national fundraising effort for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) whose sole purpose is to raise funds for blood cancer research and education. I remember when my husband was first diagnosed and the reassurance LLS provided us knowing we weren’t alone. That my husband’s cancer was being paid attention to and people were already on it, researching and working diligently to find cures. We took part in the Society’s many educational conference calls, signed up for Webinars, and picked up their pamphlets wherever we found them. I even had thoughts early on of joining LLS’s Team in Training as a way to keep fit with people who shared a similar interest, helping to stop blood cancers.
Then life took over and instead of Team in Training, I’ve been running my own marathon keeping our kids, my husband, and all that goes with a young household moving forward. I often think how rewarding it would be to cross that finish line knowing I had managed to pull off a physical feat such as a ½ marathon or century ride and the satisfaction that must come knowing through fundraising efforts I was also helping others trying to keep their lives moving forward while dealing with cancer and it’s craziness. One day, I still promise myself. One day.
In the meantime, our daughter and her friend are participating in LLS’s Student of the Year competition. It’s similar to the 10-week Man and Women of the Year campaign, one of the Society’s largest annual fundraising events. The girls have been working diligently since March 5th to raise as much money as they can for LLS. They have until May 9th with the culmination and announcement of the winners at the Society’s annual gala on May 12th. The theme of the gala – RELENTLESS. How fitting for so many reasons.
Of the five competing student teams, the one that raises the most money is designated Student of the Year. But as my daughter says, “We all win no matter who wins the competition.” Ten teenagers, one cause, one goal and many friends and family showing their love and support through their donations.
I wouldn’t normally use this blog as a means for fundraising. But in this case, it seems fitting. The girls are in the home stretch. We have personally benefited tremendously from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s research, which has saved my husband’s life through their supported clinical research trials. If it were not for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, there would not be the many blood cancer treatments he has had to rely on to survive. If you are interested in donating to the girls’ campaign, 100% of which will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and its efforts to help families living with blood cancers, you may do so at the official LLS website for Sarah&Amanda’s campaign.
Thank you for your generosity.
Copyright © 2012 Jeannie Moloo. All Rights Reserved.
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