Do You Want To Be a HERO???
Life is grand, don’t you think? Every day I wake up, I have to thank God for ONE more day; EVERY DAY! One day, I was in a great conversation about a lot of different things, and I mentioned that, and I was asked, “Do you really do that EVERY day?”. Umm, yes; and by doing that, it shows so much Thanksgiving to really have another day. I’ll recap what a lot of you know about me. I’ve had three brain tumors, (Meningiomas, Type 2, Atypical). I’ve taken pretty good care of my physical being, for most of my adult years, having my business for over 35 years in doing so, ( well, as you know ,too, I do enjoy a few beers!). I think that I did a pretty great job, at my job, but I still was the recipient of three brain tumors. I watched my diet, (ok, a sweet desert once in a while), but my philosophy still is, 75%-80% eating strict, and 20%-25% vice. That’s a livable life, but I got three brain tumors. My training regime, since I was in high school, has always been 5-6 days of training, but I still got three tumors. I still have that training schedule, and I still thank God EVERY day for giving me one more day.
Why am I saying stuff that most of you know about me? There’s an event this November, 11/17/19, called “Heroes of Hope, Race for Research”. It is a 5k/10k walk/run event for brain tumor research, and as most of you know, I’m very passion about anything that affects the brain. This event is being held at Dockweiler Beach, in Playa del Rey, Ca., which would be where I live. It’s a beautiful run/walk beside the beach, and proceeds go back to UCLA for brain tumor research, and to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for research for these wonderful children of childhood cancer. I’ve been involved in this event for four years now, included this year. This will be the 12th running of this event, and in the previous 11, the proceeds exceed $800,00,00! If you’ll excuse my language, piss on cancer, piss on brain tumors, anything neurological with the brain, piss on you! It’s not that I’m so upset about what I’ve been through to feel like this, but I don’t want others to go through what I went through. That’s why I do a lot of my hours up at UCLA neurological trauma hospital ward at Ronald Regan UCLA Hospital, speaking to people, (some would call them patients, but they ARE people). I know what’s going through their heads; frustration, anxiety, doubts, personal agenda… and maybe I don’t know the percentages of each of those, but I definitely know a little bit of each, and I try to be a little compassionate to their day. It means so much to them, when I walk into a person’s room, introduce myself, and if it’s appropriate, inform them of my situation, and especially if we have the same surgeon, they generally have an interest in me, and my story. I rehabbed myself after my surgeries, (because that’s my business), and they really want to inquire about that topic, even more so to their support people who might be in their room, so that they can help our person, after leaving the hospital. If I see a Bible in their room, we’ll probably have a conversation in their spiritual beliefs. As you can see, it’s all about caring, caring about something that we are all so passion about.
So many of UCLA doctors, nurses, administrative persons, the L.A. Sheriff Dept. sends at least 20 or more of their time and donations, people who are ridden with brain cancer have teams set up, they have a canopy/table to explain their sons/daughters/husbands/wives situation; these stories can go on, and on. As each year goes on, some of those that were here last year, have passed. Two years ago, I met the team of Team Joey, (Joey was maybe 12, maybe 13, I really don’t know exactly), Joey had a bald head, and was going through chemo. Last year, Joey had a full head of hair! Talk about emotional!.. Stories go on and on, as I said before. Bottom line, all kinds of emotions are getting their fill to others’ situations. All kinds of outside venders are at the camp, different types of water, electrolytes drinks, food trucks, energy bars, different teams, UCLA booth; let’s just say that all kinds of different businesses are there, also. It’s fun, it’s emotional, it’s exciting, and with all of that, there is some humor that is presented. I’m writing this, because I’m also looking for money! Each entry is $40.00, and different teams can be set up, with sponsor opportunities available with the amount of money that your team would like to contribute, from $100.00, to $5,000.00, or more. As I said before, over $800,000.00 has been raised, and a lot of people have donated so much of their time, and passion, for funds to stimulate research for brain tumors. I would love to have so many of you that I know donate, show up, and you don’t even have to run if you don’t want to! There is also a kids/toddler run, so they can feel like they contributed to saving someone’s life, and guess what? They did!!!
Contact me if you would like to be a part of this wonderful event, or do a donation if you are not in this area. For more info, contact www. wizathon.com/heroesofhoperace, or call 1-866-48-4cure. This event was set up by Lisa Kaminsky 12 years ago, as a tribute her brother who passed on, at UCLA of a brain tumor. This is a 501(c)3, so all donations will be deductible to the fullest extent of IRS law. If you would like to make a donation, and live out of the area, you can mail a check to The Brad Kaminsky Foundation/ Re:Heroes of Hope for Research, 20227 Catlett Place, Asburn, Va., 20147.
I hope to see so many of you on 11/17/19 and if you can’t make, a few bucks makes me smile! Sorry for a little bit of the language above, but I guess that I got a bit of excitement going on! Think about this, give a thanks for this wonderful day, and give a personal feel for someone’s trouble, and just smile for them, you’ll get your love back.
You, also, can be a HERO!
www.everythingisgoingtobealright.com
