Hi LRC!
Well, here is our chance to shine! These boards are some of the most brutal on the internet at times, but because we have a bond, and because we know how to fight --- we do it so well, you must agree --- it is now time that we fight not against each other, but for one another.
A member of these boards who used to go by the moniker "the used to be cancer guy", but more recently, and sadly, simply "cancer guy", is in a really bad spot. We are all holding out hope that he can return to his previous name, but doctors are not being so optimistic. Today, in fact, cancer guy (from now on, "CG") has posted that the doctors officially do not know exactly what is wrong with him.
I am endeavoring, along with the Lets Run Community, to produce a precious memories photo book to comfort CG's family through the years. This project will not be realized, however, if I must continue to say, "I am endeavoring". It needs to be "we".
Every little bit counts! No donation is too small!
If you can help, please visit
http://www.giveforward.com/fight-like-a-runner
I have a blog as well at
http://www.fight-like-a-runner.blogspot.com
Unfortunately, the widget that is supposed to let one donate directly from that page is not functioning correctly right now. Give Forward has been doing some work on their site and I think they've messed up the widget somehow.
For some further information about the project, please continue reading below.
A Photo Book??? --- Why?
As mentioned, no one is giving up on CG. Nonetheless, in the event that the doctors' prognosis is proved right, the question comes to us, "What can we do to help?" It seems that in this case, simply throwing money directly at the problem isn't likely to help. The doctors really have no idea how to proceed with treatment. It looks like everything from here on out will be experimental. On top of this, CG has said that his insurance has been amazing. I would be lying if I said CG and his family have no financial struggles. But, it seems that finances are not the determining factor in getting him back to health. He is and has been able to get the treatments that the doctors have thought necessary.
So, in answer to the question of what we can do to help, again, simply sending money does not seem effective. Consequently, I came up with an idea and ran it by CG. Initially, while on the one hand very thankful to those offering to help in some way, he was very reluctant to accept any charity, as it were. After some time and thought, however, CG decided that what I had suggested would be very welcome, and said also that his wife was very excited about the prospect. And I hope that we can agree that if this is something that CG is interested in accepting, then it is something worthwhile.
The offer was this: to send a top-notch photographer to spend a few days with he and his family, capturing him (along with them) in his natural, everyday surroundings, and then to produce a professionally printed photo book for each of his three children, wife, parents, and sister (I don't think he has any other siblings, but need to verify). Why is this important? The whole idea is very simple; to keep CG close to his family even in the event that he is unable to beat this onslaught of cancer. His children, for example, will each have a photo book, not a simple album, but an actual professional book, to keep with them for the rest of their lives; to cherish on special occasions like graduations, weddings, holidays, and birthdays. In a sense, to make it so that CG has never left them.
I understand that even when people are moved by a story of a potentially dying comrade, the desire to give will still be tempered by how the funds are to be used. And I know, too, that when we hear of someone having terminal cancer, the first thought will never be, "Oooh! Photographer!" The first thought is, and rightly so, "Treatments!" In some instances, however, and this being one of them, we need to have a little vision beyond the treatments to the comforting of a potentially severely grieving family.
LRC! To do this, and do it right, will take our community effort. I have put up a page to start collecting $7,500 (initially $5,000) to cover all production costs and get these books into CG's family's hands. This is more than will be necessary to simply cover costs, and whatever is left over will be donated to CG and the family.
I have been in touch with the brojos on this and an official link was supposed to be listed already, but Weldon is apparently heading to London and Robert and others are apparently very busy. They are aware, however, of who I am, where I am, and what I'm doing. My email is linked to my username, so feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Thanks so much! Please, for Cancer Guy and his beautiful family, let's make this happen!
In other words . . .
Let's fight like runners!