On behalf of the Rocky Mountain Childhood
Cancer Foundation (RMCCF), Emily and I
were blessed to attend the First Annual Chocolate Gala. This event assisted funding to help families
with children diagnosed with cancer. All
proceeds from this event help the organization support local Colorado families
in their time of need and it is a foundation that I fell in love with.
That evening, we viewed fabulous silent
auction items and listened to heartfelt stories from families who were personally
devastated by cancer. My favorite
speaker was the young man in the photograph below (19 years old). I first met him when I stood at the entrance
of the Gala, greeting guests as they entered. He approached me and asked to
take his photo with me. I did not know
who he was at the time but was delighted by his request. We began talking and he shared that he was
the keynote speaker of the event. He
also shared how nervous he was to speak in front of such a large crowd. I gave him a hug and told him that I knew he’d
be great.  |
| With the Keynote Speaker, A True Hero |
Emily and I sat at our table and enjoyed the scrumptious
dinner, good conversation, and entertainment.
Then it was time for the program and the young man I early spoke with
walked gracefully to the podium. His
words flowed with ease and confidence and I was proud of him. He then told his story of how he was diagnosed
with brain cancer at the age of 17; he was a senior in high school. My heart immediately felt heavy and the lump
in my throat throbbed. He spoke so
calmly and smoothly as he gave personal details about his battle with cancer. I
couldn’t help looking at his family who sat at the table next to me and just
thought, I have no idea how they have dealt with this pain. The thought of watching you child suffer is
just heart wrenching. He was truly a hero to me, standing up there with so much
courage. In his speech, he explained that his mother had to quit her job to
take him to chemotherapy every day. They were behind on their mortgage and
bills were piling up. He then shared that this is where the RMCCF stepped in
and helped his family with the burden of trying to make their monthly payments
like the mortgage, electric bill, heat, car payment, gas, etc. I am happy to say that this young hero is in
remission and enjoying life.
To learn more, please visit: http://rmccfsite.org/