Paying it Forward

This month, August 2016, marks twenty years since Becky was diagnosed with leukemia--more specifically, August 19, 1996, was the day we rushed her to a hospital in Bismarck, ND, to begin a 2.5 year journey toward remission.  She was only 12--my sweet and sensitive daughter, the light of my life, a joy to be around.  Time stopped for us that day, and it didn't start up again until over three years later.  This is not about those three years, though, or even about that horrible sickness.  This is about the child, the teenager, the young woman, student, sister, daughter, and amazing person Becky has always been.  This is about the wonderful young wife and daughter-in-law who is now also a mother, a survivor, and sponsoring yet another fundraiser to battle childhood cancer.  

I've lost count of how many events she has organized or participated in.  The earliest one was when she was only 7, and again at age 10, when she participated in a St Jude's Hospital Bikeathon--I can still see her corralling her little friends in the driveway in Ruthville, ND, and then leading a procession on her little pink and white bicycle, streamers flying.  I remember her showing the St Jude promotional video to us, her friends, our friends--basically anyone who came within a mile of our house--to tug at our heartstrings and get us to reach into our wallets.  That first bikeathon was five years before she fell ill.  I think she raised a little over $250.  

Since then, she has organized countless Leukemia Light the Nights, volunteered annually at Camp Kemo, and set up at least four fundraisers with the St Baldrick's organization.  She has made videos, promotional flyers, and been an honored patient several times.  

Every business she has been a part of, whether it was as a server at Red Lobster or Outback, or a consultant for Mary Kay or Scentsy, she finds a way to tie it all to raising awareness and donations to fight cancer, especially childhood cancer.  She is passionate about the cause, and not just because she is a childhood cancer survivor.  It is as if God created her specifically for this special mission and purpose.  No matter where she goes, where she lives, or who she meets, you cannot know Becky without realizing this is her mission in life.  

And one look at that smile or those giant eyes and you know it is futile to resist.  

In April 2017, she is the driving force behind yet another event--a St Baldrick's Shave-a-thon in Waynesville, Missouri.   This one is even more special--because she is not just a wife, or daughter, or cancer survivor.  She is a mommy to Sophie--a happy, healthy (thankfully), and beautiful little girl.   

You see, August 19, 2016, not only marks 20 years since she nearly died--it also marks the day Sophie turned six months old.  

Let's help Becky and Sophie pay it forward.