DOG/TODDLER’S WALK…
November 10, 2024; great day. High 60’s, sunny, runners/walkers on Vista del Mar above the sea, 5k/10k donations for the Heroes of Hope fundraiser event for brain cancer (f#…) research. So much hope, gratitude, thanksgiving, for an event that is given to those who have survived brain cancer, and those sweet memories of those who are home now, in the hug of Jesus Christ. We run this race every year, this year was our #17. Runner’s feet, walking feet, toddler’s feet, dog’s feet, all feet who wish to provide donations to a wonderful, beautiful set of brothers and sisters who want to add what they can to this event. In the past 16 events, we’ve raised over $1,800,000; this year we’ve added another$30,000. This is what we do, we are HEROES, not just for ourselves, but for those who have passed, and those of the future. Our future is of HOPE:
HOPE: “an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one’s life or the world at large”.
We are here because we were anointed to be here, for smiles, love, hugs, and life. Every year I get so excited to associate with people of my medical past, from physical, emotional, and spiritually. Hope carries us all, especially when our intention is for others, but yet how it affects us. I personally have experienced such a way of life because of my 3 brain tumors, from grace, to humble, from giving to getting, from doing for others to the courtesy I receive. Her’s a story from this year’s event.
As some of you know, I am on a support group for neurological trauma patients, either pre surgery, or post-surgery, called PFAC, (Patient and Family Advisory Council). In our group, we have survivors of strokes, brain tumors, AVN, Caregivers, and try to give comfort to those that wish to converse with those who might have some of the situations that they are experience now. I met a man, now a brother of mine, from the Boston area, He found out about his systems in Boston, and it is so rare, under 5% that His doctor in Boston suggested that he contact a Doctor at UCLA, which also happens to be one of my surgeons on my second brain tumor. This man, Ed, after speaking with this Dr., Isaac Yang, was coming out to L.A. for his surgery, but started attending our support group, PFAC, beforehand, to converse with us, for some of his needs at that time. Due to the unity of his upcoming surgery, and by the use of my Dr., we established a great friendship, and we arranged to meet up when he got out here, which would be about a week before his surgery. He was a little anxious to go to UCLA to get familiar with that campus, and with appointments at multiple buildings, I told him that I would pick him at his hotel in Beverly Hills and take him to UCLA. I was thinking of going to lunch somewhere nice prior to surgery, but I also didn’t want to feel rushed towards showing him all that he needed to see, so we just went to campus. I wanted to show all the buildings that he would have to go to, to also show him the ease of going into their info desk, and the routes to go into the check-ins at each station. We went to his MRI building (#200), CT scan (#100) The hospital, it’s check-in, the floor that he would be staying in (6N, neurological trauma), Nurses, and of course, the good ol’ Cafeteria! I love their food, so of course, it certainly took place of the nice lunch restaurant!
I saw his wife after his surgery, and he was sleeping, so we had lunch at,,,,the cafeteria! Saw his son, also. Why did I feel that I needed to do this? He’s, my brother; one who I believe was a little more comfortable after all of that introduction to where he would be staying for the next few weeks, and as I was treated after I was in need by others.
We had another PFAC meeting this past Tuesday, (11/19/24), and he joined us, and met another newcomer, Nick, who I had met at this year’s Heroes of Hope race, and invited him to join the meeting, and he did, and they were able to meet, and converse; that is what we do, Hope and Believe, which all comes to Surrender to God for the help that we need.
Believe and Hope, my friends, brothers and sisters. We have a life to live, and happiness to go with it, and love oversees all. Be loving, kind, and with much Thanksgiving, help others, where other things will come back to you in multitude!
“Give, and you will receive. You will be given much. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.” Luke 6:38
Peace be to all,
Scott Yonkouski
www.everythingisgoingtobealright.com
