I’ve learned a lot about blogs over the last month. I’ve learned that blogs can be informative, insightful, serious, philosophical, goofy or strange. The most important thing I’ve learned is that blogs are whatever the writer has on their mind at that particular time. So far I think mine have been informative and at times a little bit goofy. The one you are about to read will likely be the closest to the serious side that I will write.
Every once in a while, the Goldeyes are fortunate enough to be involved with some fantastic fundraising events. On Friday, May 29 between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following day, a very exciting event will be held at Canwest Park. The Canadian Cancer Society will hold its “Relay for Life” event at the ballpark. The 12-hour relay walk will take place around the warning track and everyone involved will be camping out on the outfield grass.
The following appears on the Canadian Cancer Society’s website:
"The Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life is more than just a fundraiser. It is an opportunity to get together with family and friends and celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and fight back in the hope of finding a cure for this terrible disease. Relay is fun, fulfilling, and your participation gives strength to our mission to eradicate cancer. Walk with us in this inspirational 12-hour overnight event as we come together and fight to make cancer history.”
There are many ways to get involved. Check out the Relay for Life website. You can:
Create a new team
Join an existing team
Pledge a participant
Buy a luminary
Volunteer your time at the event
Join the Survivors victory lap
When approached by Kathy Joshua, a member of the volunteer organizing committee, it didn’t take long for the Goldeyes organization to jump on board. This event not only provides funding that will one day put an end to this terrible disease, it also provides hope to the people going through treatment and the families and friends who support them.
There are very few people in the world that haven’t been touched by cancer in one form or another. With permission of his parents, Hank and Cynthia, I’d like to tell you about a little boy named Harry who touched the lives of many people.
Last summer at the “Relay for Life”, “Prince” Harry (as he was affectionately referred to as), had a great time at the event, playing with his big sister and Mom and Dad, enjoying a day away from the hospital where he had spent a considerable amount of time since he was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer on February 22, 2008. It was a day that he was able to enjoy away from the ongoing chemo and radiation treatments, away from the Children’s Hospital, away from daily reminders that he was a very sick little boy. It was a day for his family to enjoy being with Harry and enjoy this happy, inspiring, joy-filled little boy and remember what it was like before the doctors initially diagnosed him with a very rare and, without a transplant, a highly probable fatal form of liver cancer. The world lost Prince Harry on August 3, 2008, less than two months after the Relay for Life. The reason it was so easy for me to get involved with this event is that if the dollars that are raised at the Relay for Life can help another “Prince Harry” enjoy a second, or third, or better yet, a 60th instead of just a first birthday, then it is all worth it. Below you can see pictures from last year’s Relay for Life of Hank, Cynthia and Harry and another that has the whole family including Harry’s sister Lydia.
Harry loved watching the transit bus. He enjoyed watching it as he played in Aubrey Park. If you have the opportunity of riding the #10 Wolseley bus, think of Harry.
Harry’s story is a sad one with a sad ending. With the money that is raised and the research that is being done, they don’t all end that way. There are good stories and positive endings out there. Someone close to me was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer two-and-a-half years ago. Due to the research and advancements that have been made because of money from events like this, this person was able to have a successful thyroidectomy (total removal of the thyroid gland). With ongoing treatment including prescribed thyroid medication, follow-up scans have shown no cancer residual. Because of events like Relay for Life, I am able to write about this person in the present tense and not the past tense.
One parting note… congrats to Jeff Hnatiuk for being named this year’s “Impact Player” as chosen by the Winnipeg Free Press. For those who didn’t have a chance to read the two-page spread in the Press on Saturday, February 28, Mr. Hnatiuk was chosen by the Free Press sports staff and members of the sporting community in Manitoba as the most influential sports figure in the province. Kudos to Gary Lawless, the rest of the Free Press sports team and the selection panel for putting together the top ten. I was fortunate to be part of the selection panel. After reading the article I’m not sure how to interpret the fact that I had five of the eventual top ten on the list I had submitted. There were some on the final list that I agree with and some that I don’t. But that’s the beauty of these lists, the discussion that leads up to and follows the final decision is usually a lot of fun.
Next blog – “(Half) Marathon Man”
Until next time…
-- Andrew
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