Monday, July 7, 2008

Live life to the Max

A work colleague (and friend of mine) has got to be one of the strongest souls I know.   

Mostly because I really don't know how he does it.  But what I do see of him is just plain amazing.

He comes to work everyday as an executive leader within our company and you would never know that he and his family are dealing with the most heart-wrenching of situations at home.

His 7-year old son, Max has a rare form of pediatric cancer called Neuroblastoma. You can read about Max and his fight with his relapsed cancer in this blog.  Or, alternatively, you can view this photojournalistic essay blog that captures Max and his family's journey.  Be warned...tears will fall.

I have met Max only once and he is such an amazing, happy, strong boy.  And at the ripe age of 7, he has already dealt with more than most people ever deal with in their lifetime and has shown the bravery and courage of a trained warrior.

Every time I read my colleague's blog updates about Max, I experience the emotional roller coaster ride with them.    And sometimes I laugh and smile, but lately my heart has just been breaking.  Max is continuing to fight the fight every day with his relapsed cancer and has been in and out of the hospital the last few weeks - there is no known cure for relapsed Neuroblastoma.   

And I can't even imagine what he and his family are going through (which is nothing short of traumatic) and how they are dealing with it (which is nothing short of amazing) since I do not walk in his shoes nor do I ever want to in my worst nightmares as a parent.

And it makes me just want to help.

So, I am walking in a fundraiser walk in a few weeks to do my small part in all of this, which is to raise awareness and funding for finding a cure for this terrible disease.   If you are so inclined, please feel free to donate...Or, at the very least, read about this to educate yourself and raise your own awareness, remember to take nothing for granted, and count the many blessings we have in our lives.


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