Cancer: 500 Names and He Runs For Them

With less than two weeks to go until Kirk runs his first 10K to raise funds for cancer research, I am way behind on my efforts to support him.  I had set a goal to gather the names of at least 500 people who are currently fighting cancer, who have become cancer survivors or who have lost the battle.  I also want to add the names of those who have supported a cancer patient in their fight in any way.  To date, I have less than 100 names.

Inspiration is the reason for gathering these names.  I know that each name (and story, if provided) will become an added incentive for Kirk to accomplish his goal.  The lists of names will be carried with Kirk during the race and he doesn’t care how heavy those lists may become.  He wants to honor all of those people who have fought a battle with cancer and those who have stood beside them on their journeys.

For me, being a two-time breast cancer survivor, I know that every time that I read a name of someone else who has dealt with this disease, I am touched to the core and tears come to my eyes.  Perhaps it is because I know that each one of these people have heard the words, “You have cancer” and with that knowledge, you know that another life was immediately changed forever.

I know that the one thing that has struck me in the submissions that I have already received is that the vast majority are the names of those who lost their battle with cancer.  That just makes me want to work so much harder to help in any way that I can to support Kirk and all of those who are working so hard to raise money for cancer research.  I know that there is an answer and the sooner that it can be found, the more lives will be saved.  That is why I am asking you to help in any way that you can, including providing the names of those that you wish to honor and allowing them to be an inspiration to someone who is doing this run, something that I could never do.  And if you are a survivor, please add your name to the list.  You are a wonderful inspiration and don’t need someone else to include your name in order for you to be honored.

Therefore, I am again asking that you go to the website www.whirlydudes.com directly in order to add your name(s) and make a contribution to the cause, if you so desire. However, please note that no donation is necessary in order to add those names.  If you prefer, you can go to my website at www.leflifehappen.com to add names or you can provide names at the Twitter or Facebook accounts for either of these sites.

The race will take place on October 7, 2012, so I would appreciate your submissions prior to that date.  I thank you so much, in advance, for your support of this project.  I can’t think of any better way that you can honor those that you choose and I can support Kirk in his efforts.  If you have any questions or would like to discuss something privately, please feel free to contact me by email at barbara@letlifehappen.com.  I will let you all know about our success.