Eighteen years ago this August, I had a daughter who was born an angel. While she did not die from cancer (it was a still birth) I had to find the strength to move forward and carry on. Today I am a father of four more kids and blessed that they are all healthy but I realize there are millions of parents across this country who can't say that.
It all started when my friend Missy posted on Facebook that her son Connor had cancer. At that moment, I broke down and cried. It brought flashes back of my daughter Angel. Then my sister in law posted that her friend's son Carson had been diagnosed with cancer. Then a college friend of mine, her son Jacob was diagnosed. This one hit me hard. Some may ask why this one? Well, the answer is simple. He came up with a bucket list for himself. A seven year old coming up with a bucket list? Why should we allow this to happen? This included various things, but one of them was to kiss a girl his mom did not approve of. At this point, this is when I decided to start to think about something needing to be done. Unfortunately, Jacob passed away November 19th, 2017 just hours before the start of the Philadelphia Marathon. I could feel his presence with me throughout the race last year. Truly a hero. Live like a penguin.
Finally, my friend Trish's daughter's friend was diagnosed. Pictures were posted of constantly and they were constant smiles. He wanted to be a police officer and was able to live his dream. Unfortunately, he passed away January 25th of 2016. I also came in contact during the past year with another remarkable family whose son Tony was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. He unfortunately passed away in early December of 2016.
For the seventh year now, I am proud to be running the marathon in the name of a new hero. The Leukeima Warrior, Cameron Forward. He is a remarkable young man who is attacking this disease head on. He has ended his chemo treatment and is now in remission for over a year now. He is truly an inspiration.
This year, I am also running in honor of Carter LaCasse His story has captured our community. He is an incredibly brave little boy who has gone thru hell and back and now has to go thru hell again.
Connor and Carson are currently in remission as well.
Well, ten years after my daughter, Angel, passed, I decided to dedicate my life to help find a cure for all children with cancer. So for the 8th year now, I joined Team Lemon to help Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation find a cure for all children with cancer. I am going to run the Philadelphia Marathon as a member of Team Lemon. The money you donate will pay for research to find better treatments and cures for childhood cancer. Please help kids and their families by providing desperately needed hope. The past five years I have been able to raise over $3,500 for this wonderful organization. Thank you for your support.