A couple of people have asked me why I am supporting the Ronald McDonald House and spending time and effort raising funds for this particular non-profit organization. I want to share a bit about my personal connection, and it’s something most of my friends today likely don’t even know about.
When I was a freshman in high school, I ran indoor track during the winter. At the time, my school district had three junior high schools, and there was one very large senior high school with close to 2,000 students. Because of the high school’s size, freshmen attended the junior high schools. To make a long story short, I was the only freshman who ran indoor track on the senior high team, and I didn’t have friends on the team when I started.
One of the older guys on the team was a popular sophomore named Ramesh, who also ran the 55m dash, and he had a ton of friends at school. Ramesh was very friendly to me, despite my receiving the typical freshman treatment from the rest of the team. Ramesh and I were not close friends outside of the track team, but he was always looking out for me, and it’s something I appreciated and haven’t forgotten. He was a focused person with a big heart.
The much abridged version of the story is that I learned Ramesh was diagnosed with cancer in his sophomore or junior year of high school. His battle with cancer was difficult, and it was heartbreaking because one of his biggest goals in high school was to attend Boston College. Just as my senior year began and his friends were starting college, Ramesh lost his battle with cancer. It was probably the most difficult thing I dealt with up until that point.
I can’t even imagine what it would be like for a child (and the family) to battle cancer, and I know the Ronald McDonald House makes it easy for them to focus on beating cancer by taking care of everything else when they are away from home. The people at the RMH are caring, and they take care of the residents and families on different levels – physical and emotional.
Cancer is a horrible disease, and it’s especially frightening for children. RMH helps families so the kids can focus on beating cancer and not worry about other things.
In addition to Ramesh, I have also had family members who fought cancer. Sadly, my Aunt (Mom’s sister) lost her battle with pancreatic cancer a couple of years ago, and it was terribly sad to watch her and her family cope with the disease. My Grandmother also fought and beat breast cancer a number of years ago.
I think cancer probably touches most of us at some point in our lives. I want to be able to help an organization that is helping families with kids who have cancer. So far, you’ve helped me raise over $3,500 towards our $5,000 fundraising goal, and I am immensely appreciative of this support. I hope you’ll help me reach the $5,000 goal.
Thanks for the post. Just found out my dad has cancer and it can be really distracting and scary. Has to be terrifying for a kid. Will definitely help support your cause.
@ Amanda
I wish your dad all the best with his fight, and I hope you and your family have the strength to support him.
I had not followed this post line because I have my own cause, cancer. I am on the Board of Directors for the Phoenix Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Now that I see our causes are one in the same I would like to help. Where do I donate?
Thank you for this work, it is important. Fred from Scottsdale.com recently helped us raise about $5,000 for this same cause by promoting a event on his great site.
Step up folks, cancer will break your heart too. It is a matter of when, not if. Get some good karma now, before you need it.
good post, just donated.
GB
@ GB
Thanks! Been a while since we’ve gotten together… LMK when you’re around.
@ BFitz
That’s great of you to give your time for the ACS – another great organization.
Here’s the donation page RMH set up for my wife and me:
https://www.rmh-newyork.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=417&frsid=310
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing and best of luck in the fund raising efforts.
@ Bill
Thank you! It’s a great organization, and my wife and I enjoy helping them out whenever we can.