Tomorrow is the day set to shave my head, and some of you might be wondering why anyone would be willing to do this. Here’s my story. While a bit lengthy, I hope you take the two minutes necessary to read it. Afterwards, I hope you take another three minutes to make a donation.
When I was 11 years old, my mother asked me and my older brothers and sisters to join her for a family discussion. Through many tears by all, she proceeded to tell us that our father (age 43 and clearly not feeling well for several months) had been diagnosed with hodgkin lymphoma cancer and it was terminal. She didn’t know for sure how much longer he had to live, but she knew it wasn’t long. Soon after telling us this news, my father faded fast and was in constant pain. Towards the end, he needed regular blood transfusions, as his lymph nodes were unable to scrub the toxins that naturally built up. At the very end, his brain was so confused from those toxins that he could not remember my name when I helped him get dressed to go the hospital. Five weeks after my 12 birthday, he passed away.
Knowing my father was terminal, my mother made the tough and only choice to sell the family farm that was nearing 100 years of family ownership. The animals and equipment were sold at auction, and the house and farm buildings my grandfather had built were sold soon after my father died. With what little money was left after settling up the medical bills and loans, my mom bought a modest house and we moved to the nearby city. We took our German Sheppard with us, but it quickly became apparent that O.J. wasn’t a city dog and we asked the new owners of our farm to take her.
With 11 children to care for and the youngest child only three when my father died, my mother quickly remarried – it was in the early 1970s and she didn’t have many options to raise a family by herself. My step-father turned out to be a wonderful man, but I must admit I did not like him at all for the first 3-4 years. It wasn’t until I moved out and had a chance to reflect on what kind of sacrifice he made to marry a women with 11 children that I came to respect him. Of course, my step-father did get some much needed help for his gravel and logging business. I will never forget the 80-90 hour weeks I worked for him during the summer gravel season or working in 20 below zero winter weather cutting trees and driving the log skidder. AHHH, those were the days…
My story has two more chapters to it.
Not long after remarrying, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a successful double mastectomy and treatment, she survived and is still alive today. I was 17 at the time, and I still distinctly remember early on thinking that my five younger brothers and sisters and I might be orphans if she didn’t survive. I secretly started thinking about which of my older brothers or sisters I wanted to live with until I turned 18.
And the final chapter has my youngest sister (Polly) currently battling breast cancer and she has been for several years. She’s being treated at the present and we’re all praying that this time she finally is complete free of cancer. She has a 19 year old and 16 year old. Sadly, my niece and nephew are living my story.
While my story is rare, it is not rare enough. Cancer has a devastating effect on children regardless of whether it is the child or the parent that is struck by this insidious disease. So, cancer charities have always had a special place in my heart. Therefore, I was very pleased when asked to be part of the Hudson Team. Frankly, shaving my head is a small thing (not just because I have so little hair left) to do for a great cause.
I cannot thank enough all the people that have already stepped up to support Team Hudson and me. Your donations to date have helped us raise nearly $25,000. And with our employer matching what we raise, the total Hudson Insurance Group donation is nearing $50,000 – a really impressive amount!!
Still, I’d like to raise more money and we’re running out of time. If you can make a donation, please do so today or tomorrow at the latest. Remember, every dollar you donate will double. If you can only support a limited amount of charities this year, please make this one of them. Your donation will go twice as far! If you have already donated, please feel free to forward this email to your family and friends.
