Being part of a Community

Caleb and Aleah pose with Isaac Valentin and Rhiana Overholster, coordinators of the event.

We were honoured and humbled once again tonight as we attended the Relay for Life held by Grimsby Secondary School.  Every other year, GSS holds a Relay for Life that raises thousands of dollars for cancer research and to improve the quality of life for people living with cancer, people like Caleb.  Several weeks ago, our family took part in a rally raising awareness to kick off the fundraising campaign--Caleb spoke to a crowd of 1,000 students, telling them in his own way about his time in hospital and the medicines and needles he's had.  Tonight we got to walk the track with other cancer survivors of all ages and walks of life.  It was an emotional time for us.  We are in awe that a group of students could be so dedicated and energetic to raise support and awareness for something that has affected our family so profoundly.  It's hard to describe the depth of feeling we have when we witness the dedication of so many to this cause.  Humbled and honoured, all in one.

We were surprised and happy to see Chris, someone we know from clinic, at the event.  Caleb and Chris got to sign the survivors Eagle (Grimsby SS's mascot) that led the way around the track.

Chris is celebrating the end of regular treatment for leukemia.  He's not done clinic trips altogether yet, but at least there's no more chemo planned!  Way to go Chris!

Caleb, Nella, and Aleah are learning about Luminaries--paper bags filled with sand, with a candle placed in them.  As the Relay for Life evening goes on, the Luminaries will used to light the track and to focus the thoughts of the high school students as they walk.  Some Luminaries are lit in memory of loved ones, some as an inspiration to keep fighting. 

It's hard to know how to respond when others show such support.  We are awed by the love shown by those who know us and those who don't even really know us at all.  We're thrilled with the funds raised for McMaster Children's Hospital on Caleb's behalf through Hans' Hirsute Challenge!  He's reaching the end of his goal, and we can't say enough how deeply we are moved.  We've received letters in the mail from folks we don't even know who say they're praying for us, or they've committed funds to McMaster Children's Hospital.  We are surrounded by such a community of support.  We can only hope that we can continue to extend that support to others around us. 

So much of my thoughts are on what it means to show support to another because right now we are also seeking to support my sister Sara and brother-in-law Ralph in their quest for tires--An Appeal for Wheels.  Sara and Ralph Pot, as many may already know, have a family of four girls.  Two of my neices, Rachel and Janneke, have significant special needs that require the use of special feed pumps, wheelchairs, and other assistive devices.  Rachel and Janneke are Caleb's PORT POWER buddies.  We're deeply thankful for the support that Sara and Ralph have given to us because of their familiarity with hospitals, special meds, and the many other things that go along with having a child with special care needs.  The difference for us is that Caleb's special needs are easily understood by support organizations, wish foundations, and charities because leukemia is a well known diagnosis.  They can't define what it is that Rachel and Janneke live with, and so it's hard for organizations to offer financial support for them.  It's time for us as a community to extend support to Sara and Ralph in a tangible way, by helping raise money for a van.  Please check out the Appeal for Wheels and consider coming out to an event (like tomorrow's garage sale in Waterdown) or offering some financial support.  It's not easy to ask for help, and I think it's equally difficult to receive it.  I suppose that's my experience of Relay for Life and the Hirsute Challenge.  We are humbled, because we don't feel deserving.  We are honoured, because we recognize the sacrifice given in whatever way.  This compells us to offer what we can in turn, to another. 

May God bless you as you seek to serve your community.  Pray for Relay for Life, for Hans and the Hirsute Challenge, and for the Appeal for Wheels.  We thank God for the community in which he's placed us.