The LLS connection was a phone call with follow up email and facebook connections. I love making these calls and feel like the person on the other end really benefits. I hope so anyway. My new buddy Jim is a great guy …. teacher…. runner…. musician. He will be blogging through his treatment journey and I am looking forward to walking alongside him as he does.

And in an effort to spread a little hope, while still respecting their confidentiality and keeping things anonymous, I am posting my email exchange with my other buddy.

Hi Steve,

Not sure if you remember me or not. My wife was recently diagnosed with cancer I am looking for more info. I see you do a lot with local groups and more. If you could pass along any info I would appreciate it. Possibly looking into walks or runs. Or just anything.

Thank you

________________________

Of course I remember you! I’m sorry to hear of your wife’s diagnosis but admire your desire and willingness to jump in and try to do something. If you want to tell me more about her specific cancer perhaps I can out you in touch with more targeted groups. There are a number of great groups with a presence here in the tri state area who also put on great events.

For starters The American Cancer Society is always a good place to start. Their main site is http://www.cancer.org/

They also do an awesome event called Relay for Life. Check that out here – you can search your area of choice and there are many in DE.  http://www.relayforlife.org/

The Susan G Komen foundation is another organization doing amazing things, particularly with breast cancer but not necessarily limited to that. Their Mother’s Day walk and run in Philly is unbelievable and their 3 day 60 mile walk is getting very popular. Info on them can be found here http://komenphiladelphia.org/

I am personally very involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They have a number of great campaigns and programs in DE, PA, and NJ. Their main site is www.lls.org and you can search your local chapter.

And I saved the best for last. Please check out Imerman Angels – http://www.imermanangels.org/ This is a support mentoring group who will align you with another survivor within your general demographic simply to have a shoulder to lean on of someone who has been there. Once you contact them, an “angel” would reach out to your wife and it would be up to her how much or little contact she would get from her angel. It’s a great group. I am one of the angels and have been asked to reach out to people many times. It’s always a great experience for both of us. I have had some that ended up being ongoing connections and some that were simply one brief call.

Hopefully this will be a good start. Keep in touch and let me know if there is anything I can do. I would be happy to speak to either or both of you… or just be at the ready should you need some more help.

Keep in touch. And stay positive!!

Steve

So I guess my message here is that you need not go this journey ALONE. There is help. There are resources. There are people ready and willing to connect for support.

Nationally recognized professional and Olympic athletes, coaches, and industry insiders will share their expertise all weekend during the Endurance University seminars covering cycling, running and tri. National brands and local retailers will be on hand to help attendees find the right equipment for 2012 and offer deals on top products. Cyclists, runners and triathletes will be able to find a great event to train for and a club to do it with. Plus, you can find a non-profit to support amongst both national and local organizations.

The outdoor demo area, weather dependent, will provide real-world test rides. Top major brands, as well as many great ones you have yet to know about, will be bringing their new 2012 models for you to try out.

Get there early for a day filled with fun, and be one of the first 750 attendees each day, to receive a sweet bag full of swag. To see a full exhibitor list, find out about the courses offered at Endurance U, and buy advanced tickets for $8 ($10 at the door) check out www.endurancesportsexpo.com

Steve and Danielle

 My daughter bought tickets for us to see last night’s Philadelphia Union soccer game as a Father’s Day gift . We had been talking about wanting to see a game so this was a great gift and surprise. I was able to spring a little surprise back on her as well. My daughter didn’t realize that I knew the Union’s CEO, Nick Sakiewicz. Nick is a former goalkeeper, as am I. And Nick is a blood cancer survivor, as am I.

That survivor and goalie connection seems to be a pretty powerful thing because it was my buddy Ethan Zohn, also a former goalie and survivor who facilitated my connection to Nick Sakiewicz.

So, I reached out to Nick and let him know we would be attending the game and he followed up with an invite to come hang out in his suite. We spent the evening in the company of some great people, great food, and plentiful drink. Add to the mix the fact that another friend, former All American runner and two-time Olympian, Vicki Huber Rudawsky was also seated in the suite with us and an unexpected drop in by none other than Hugh Jackman and you could say we had a pretty excellent night.

Steve and Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz

What impressed us most was the stadium atmosphere and how cordial and friendly every single person was that we made contact with. As a long time Philly area soccer fan and former player, it’s nice for me to see the Union have such a firm foothold in the community in just their second season of play. Over the decades I have seen the Atoms, Fury, Stoners, and Fever come and go. And in fact almost caught a break with both the Stoners and the Fever as a reserve goalie. But things didn’t quite pan out as hoped for me, although I did end up with some good playing days for Danubia in the majors division of the United Soccer League of PA. I applaud the Union’s ownership, staff, fans, and player personnel for doing this right and for giving us something real, honest, and wholesome to celebrate.

Thanks very much to Nick, his assistant Sheri, and Drew Young, for making sure last night was memorable for us. And thanks to Danielle for the awesome Father’s Day present.

Oh and the game itself? A 0-0 draw against Sporting Kansas City, but that didn’t matter. Last night was about people, not goals. We’ll be back soon.

Steve and Vicki Huber-Rudawsky