SBTF Race for Research

This past Saturday, close to to 70 family and friends, "John's Dream Team," met at Atlantic Station to show our support for a special young man (who you've met several times in this blog) and to help raise money for a great cause. The "Race for Research" is a 5k walk/run sponsored by the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation. This year's race raised close to $300K for brain tumor research, with John's Dream Team contributing almost $3,700.


This year, in addition to walking in honor of John, we also walked in memory of two other young men, David and Justin, who touched the lives of many during their own brain tumor battles. What an honor to meet David's parents who drove up from Florida especially to meet John and walk with us.


John described the turnout as "Amazing!" He goes on to say, "I still can’t believe how many people showed up to be on my team! I had around 70 people show up and wear their “John’s Dream Team” shirts, and we all looked great! It is so nice to see that much yellow walking around and know that all of them are here to support you ... Thanks everyone so much for their giving and their showing up to do the race with me. It means more than you know for that to happen!"

After the race, we went to breakfast and had a good time talking and laughing. While sitting at the table, John commented about how awesome it was to see all those yellow shirts gathered around the tables, especially knowing that they were there for him. Well John, the way you've handled yourself throughout this very challenging 4+ years is an inspiration, and you've touched the hearts of so many people. The 70 or so that were there on Saturday were just a small portion of the number of people who love you and pray for you on a regular basis!


To see John's Dream Team page and/or make a donation, click here.

“Hospice” is a Beautiful Word!

There’s a common misconception when you mention the word hospice. A lot of people think of it with fear and/or sadness. When my mother worked as a hospice volunteer, she was often asked, "how can you do that? Doesn’t it make you sad to be around all those dying people?" But, she’d be the first to tell you that the time she spent volunteering at Tranquility was the most fulfilling time of her life.

Hospice does not mean giving up on life...it is a medical choice that helps ensure the patient’s comfort and dignity, and improves the quality of their remaining time. But most importantly, hospice is people. Kind, compassionate, caring individuals who, as my mother says, "wrap you up in love."

From Hospice Foundation of America’s website:

"The word "hospice" stems from the Latin word "hospitium" meaning guesthouse. It was originally used to describe a place of shelter for weary and sick travelers returning from religious pilgrimages. During the 1960's, Dr. Cicely Saunders, a British physician began the modern hospice movement by establishing St. Christopher's Hospice near London. St. Christopher's organized a team approach to professional caregiving, and was the first program to use modern pain management techniques to compassionately care for the dying. The first hospice in the United States was established in New Haven, Connecticut in 1974.

Hospice is not a place but a concept of care. Eighty percent of hospice care is provided in the patient's home, family member's home and in nursing homes. Inpatient hospice facilities are sometimes available to assist with caregiving."

So, why am I writing about hospice, and what does that have to do with my "Hope for Cancer" blog? Maybe you’ve already guessed... my mom was admitted into the Wellstar Hospice program last week. Does that mean that I’ve given up "hope" for mom’s recovery from cancer. Absolutely not! My hope is in the Lord and I know that He will certainly heal her... either a miraculous physical healing, or the ultimate healing and reuniting with my Dad. Either way, she wins. But for now, she’s being wonderfully cared for by some of God’s "angels"... her hospice team...and both Mom and I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful team of angels among us!