Because I can part 2

As mentioned in my previous blog, I had a bit more I wanted to share about the Rankin Cancer Run. I've waited on posting this one until I could sort of wrap my head around things, and to some maybe this doesn't seem like a big deal...to me it was mindblowing and completely unexpected.

When I started doing the run it was because it was something I could get behind; something I believed could make a difference in our community.  And doing something in honour or memory of someone is always a bit of a lift for the spirit. When we started doing the benefit show it was because it was an easy, fun and entertaining way to raise funds without having to canvas or blatantly ask people for money (never my strong suit). The first year we did the show I didn't think that we would continue it and now with 3 years under our belt I can assure you it is staggering to me that we are going for a fourth. Every year it gets a little bigger, and every year we are able to give more to the Rankin than the year before. Our team has established itself and the people involved all love the day, and we celebrate afterwards with a get together. Its becoming a tradition, and one of my favourite days of the year. Never once did it ever occur to me to do any of this for any sort of recognition or award.

Usually after the Run I stick around until our team has dispersed, and watch some of the awards ceremony. This year, I had shopping to do for our team bbq and left once we were all packed up. It wasn't until the afternoon that some neighbours that had been there for the ceremony told me that I had been one of the 35 recipients of the Mike's Miracles Hero Awards. I was stunned. I didn't know I had been nominated or even that this was a thing you could get.

It is such an honour to get this award but to be honest I still don't get it. I won the award for my fundraising efforts and for the show. First off,  I didn't do any of this alone. It was the combined efforts of my team, my family, our friends and everyone who had a hand in getting this thing off the ground. I would be nothing without everyone else. I don't run alone. I have a team that runs or walks with me and we may cross the finish line at different times, but we do this together, with thousands of other people who are all there for the same reason.

Secondly, what I do is absolutely nothing compared to the people who are out there every day - driving their loved ones to appointments, sitting through chemo sessions, and the nausea and sickness afterwards, the  pain and the long nights, the countless hours spent sitting beside hospital beds, adjusting to the changes cancer brings about with ostomies, mastectomies, lost limbs, or the planning of funerals and learning how to live a new life  when their loved one passes on.

Most importantly though are the people like Mike Vandendool, Nicky Roma, Jason Barron. These kids are the real heroes. Mike wanted to help other kids going through the same thing he did and focused on raising money for a new-release movie room at Mac. Because of the generosity from others through his own journey with cancer, he wanted to pay it forward, and with help from his family they created Mike's Miracles. Mike passed away in 2006 at 12 years old. Mike's Miracles continues to raise money and gets involved with numerous charities. And the movie room? It opened in 2010 at Mac in the Ronald McDonald Family Room. Check out Mike's Miracles

Nick Roma was diagnosed in 2011 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In 2012 he acquired a blood infection that resulted in septic shock. Because of this he lost both arms and legs. His amazing family and friends have kept the community updated with Nicks progress, and post videos from time to time of different moments in his rehabilitation. Watch these. Please. You will see the indomitable spirit that Nick has, that he has had from the beginning of his journey, and continues to have during his ongoing chemo treatments. Stay Strong

Jason Barron lost his mom to cancer. His team Bonnie's Battle was the top fundraising community team this year raising over $11,000 for the Run, and has been in the top few teams since they started taking part, just days after his mom passed away. I include him in my list of heroes because it is far too easy to say "poor me" and turn losing a loved one into a selfish thing. He turned it into an extension of Bonnie's fight and he continues to fight for her, and even though he is no longer at St. Francis, it is clear that his school community still stands behind him and every year he and his team stand out amongst the runners. My own son runs for Bonnie's Battle and I could not be more proud that he is involved with the team and aligned with a kid like Jason. A bit of Jason's story

The thing that all three of these kids have in common is that even at the worst point of their lives they have shown strength. Even though Mike is no longer with us, his legacy lives on and continues to give to the kids that he wanted to help. Nick's fight is far from over but every video you will see, every public appearance he makes you will see a smile on his face and know that he will stay strong. And Bonnie's memory is alive and well in her son, and I can imagine that some of the sun we saw last Saturday was the pride she must feel shining down on Jason. There are so many other people like these guys who have done amazing things in light of their circumstances, the list is endless. Until we have found a cure, this is how we beat cancer, by not letting it defeat us.

So maybe you can understand a little of why I feel so undeserving of a Hero award. I wish that every person affected by this disease could get one, because they are the heroes. Like Maryann Edwards (a true angel-on-earth and the Run director) I will look forward to the day that we don't have to have the Rankin Run. Until then I will continue to take part and do what I do, not for award or recognition, but because I can.