making a difference…

A new video on student initiated activism was debuted on the University of North Alabama’s webpage this week. I’m proud to be a part of it. Check it out…and thanks for your help and support. Without you, I would have never reached surpassed my goal.

Who Says I Can’t?

During Young Adult Cancer Week last week, several stories about young survivors were featured on the LIVESTRONG Blog. When I read the story of Jothy Rosenburg, I was absolutely blown away. At age 16, Jothy was told that he had a zero chance of a survival. Thirty-five years later, Jothy is still defying the odds with one leg and one lung. Since he overcame cancer, he has earned his Ph.D., become a double black diamond skier, biked from Boston to NYC three times, biked 192 miles across Massachusetts 7 times, raised over $100,000 for charity, swam across the San Francisco Bay, started 6 high tech companies, had 3 kids and one grandchild–all before turning fifty.

Jothy is living proof that through perservance, hard work, faith, and the determination to succeed, you can accomplish anything you put your mind too…no matter the odds. He wrote a book “Who Says I Can’t” to share his story and motivate others to overcome adversity and live to their full potential. I encourage you to watch this video and share it to those who might need a little inspiration.

It just goes to show that life is what you make it. Everything is a matter of perspective. It would have been easy for Jothy to pity himself and give up, but he made the decision to prove everyone wrong and turn his death sentence into an opportunity to empower others.

The road to success is never easy. Achieving your dreams requires a lot of work, resilience, and determination, but you have the power to make them real. Give those who say you can’t a big smile, never give up and keep on keepin’ on. It is SO worth it.

Have a great weekend and live strong.

National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week

Hi friends! I can’t believe it is April. This year is already soaring by!

April 5th through April 11th is National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week. The 70,000 young adults that are diagnosed with cancer in the United States each year face dramatic challenges unique to our age group. While most of us are earning college degrees, creating a successful career path, starting families and beginning our own lives, cancer still affects thousands of young adults each year. It is heartbreaking to think of those striving for their life-long goals while fighting for their life. While many believe that cancer is something that happens to older people, the truth it that cancer is the number one disease killer of 20- to 39-year old Americans. Luckily, there is now a huge movement supporting young adults diagnosed with cancer. Awareness is the key to finding a cure to cancer. The more people uniting to raise money, knowledge, and take action against this disease, the closer we will get to finding a cure. For more information and links about National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week, click here.

There are grassroots fundraisers all over the country that everyone can join. As you know, I am a participant in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. You don’t have to be a star athlete to compete in an endurance event to raise money for cancer research. Team in Training provides all the support an amateur athlete needs to be successful in a race and in fundraising. From training plans to team support and encouragement, Team in Training has it all. You can participate in running, biking, swimming, hiking, and other events with Team in Training. I am proud to be a part of such a phenomenal program that is making an enormous difference and bringing hope to cancer patients and survivors all over the country. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society also hosts other fundraisers such as Light the Night Walk and School & Youth programs, which can be found on their website here. For more information on Team in Training or to sign up as a participant, click here. To donate to my Team in Training, click here. I am only a little more than a thousand dollars away from my goal!

The American Cancer Society also hosts events in cities across the United States. Perhaps the most recognizable is the Relay for Life. We have several organizations here in the Shoals that have formed relay teams in raise money for this event. I have joined the Bethesda Cancer Center’s relay team once again this year. Each team unites to raise money for the American Cancer Society and camps out at the Relay for Life to raise cancer awareness. Survivors attend to show their strength and share their stories of hope and inspiration with those in attendance. This year’s Shoals Relay for Life will be held on May 21st at the Muscle Shoals High School football field. To find out more about the American Cancer Society and the Relay for Life, click here. To donate to my Relay for Life team, click here.

The Lance Armstong Foundation is also a huge advocator of the grassroots cancer movement. You can join Team LIVESTRONG to compete in swimming, running, biking, and triathlon events all over the country to raise money and awareness for cancer treatment. Competing in these events in honor of cancer survivors not only enables you to make a difference, but helps you to stay healthy and live a life of prevention. For more information about Team LIVESTRONG, click here. The Lance Armstrong Foundation’s website also provides you with all the tools you need to host your own grassroots fundraiser. Let them know what type of event you would like to host, and they will send you information and the tools to promote your fundraiser. For more information about the LAF, click here.

There are several ways to make a difference and raise cancer awareness. Remember that YOU are a key element to bringing researchers and scientists closer to finding a cure for cancer. Unite and take action for a cancer-free world.