Give as you are able
HoltBrothersFoundation.com
Finishing an Ironman can make you feel a high, but giving back to others can give you an even greater high that you can feel every day for the rest of your life. I set out to complete an Ironman to show cancer that it couldn’t beat me, that I can do anything I put my mind to, and to inspire others. However I received so much more in return from this journey. By doing an Ironman it gave me a platform to not only raise money, but also awareness for programs that helped my family and me during our battle with my cancer. The KidsCan and Camp Kesem programs made possible by the Holt Brothers Foundation are amazing! KidsCan helps children of parents that are battling cancer both learn about Cancer, life and death, and how to deal with it emotionally. And Camp Kesem is a week long summer camp that only invites kids that have a parent battling cancer or has lost their life to cancer to be with others just like them and escape the day to day sadness of cancer in the family. My two little girls went from being scared to play with others at recess, because they might give “Cancer to someone else” and not sitting near me for the same fear of “catching Cancer” to now understanding it, embracing the good lessons learned and now they continue to help other friends they meet deal with the same issues. The experience of my journey both through battling cancer and training for an ironman has made my family and me so much stronger. I don’t wish cancer on anyone and can’t wait until they find a cure, but until then I think it is truly important to give to foundations that help people deal with cancer. Specifically ones that help people deal with life during your cancer battle. We are all affected by cancer’s horrible reach. It important to help and give to programs whose mission is to assist people in dealing with cancer as they are fighting it, as well as post cancer for surviving family members and caregivers. Often the best form of giving is not only monetary, but through volunteering or reaching out to ones you know who are in need. Helping can be as simple as mowing the yard, making the family a dinner, taking a child to sports practice, or hanging out with them during a chemo session. Any form helps and will mean more than you could ever imagine. I found it difficult to accept help when I was going through chemo, radiation, and surgeries. I didn’t want to let cancer think I was weak and needed any help, but I quickly learned that it did not make me weak, but made me stronger than I could ever imagine simply by letting others help and support in any way they desired. Just ask Torry Holt or Terrence Holt and they will tell you there is no “I” in Team, Together Everyone Achieves More! The battle with cancer is a tough one both mentally and physically , that’s why it is very important to keep people positive, and no matter what the outcome (you can trust me on this one – I’ve been on both sides with the loss of my father to cancer) everyone is better for it. The warmth in your heart you feel from giving has no match. I once was the recipient of so much giving and support, so please do yourself a favor add join me by paying it forward. This is one of the few things in life that I can guarantee has no negatives, down side, or losers, it is a WIN/WIN for all parties involved!
Review from #MyGivingStory