Giving Back
When I was 16 I made a really good friend through one of my clubs in high school. She was a freshman and I was a sophomore and though it wasn't exactly cool to befriend younger kids in high school I liked her a lot. She was extremely motivated to become an active member of the club and we worked together a lot. She was literally the nicest girl I had ever met. Even though she had leukemia and had lost all of her hair to chemo she had a wonderful way of looking at life. A lot of guys liked her because she was so spunky.
We hung out occasionally as time went by. She wasn't in my group of friends but I saw her a lot at school and in our club. When she didn't come back to school immediately after Christmas break in my junior year (her sophomore year) I didn't think much of it. A couple of weeks later she died. She didn't even get to turn 16.
I've thought about this friend a lot over the years. What college would she have gone to? Would she have become a doctor like she dreamed? Would she end up with that cute junior who had a crush on her. I know it's cliche but she was such a wonderful person and it's a real shame her life had to end so soon.
A friend on facebook announced today that she was running a half marathon in my late friend's honor. I immediately decided to donate $10 to the cause of finding a cure for Childhood Leukemia. I wish I could give more to charity but I'm glad I am able to do a small part to honor this amazing person I was lucky to know.
Excellent job on the donation. I bet your friend is smiling in heaven for your generosity and fond thoughts. Plus, I'm sure she's happy about you honoring her in your blog!
Shtinkykat said... January 14, 2009 10:30 PM
I had a friend like this in 5th grade, too. She passed away over the summer that year from cancer.
Now, I work in cancer research and it is difficult to see the sick pediatric patients. I always think, 'she is my daughter's age. I could not image the things they go through both patient and family'.
You donation means a great deal in helping to find a cure or better treatment methods. Your rememberence of your friend and donation was a really neat gesture.
Christine said... January 14, 2009 10:57 PM
Have you considered joining the national bone marrow donor registry? All it takes is filling out a couple of forms and a painless cheek swab to get added to the database. You might end up saving the life of someone who desperately needs a transplant and doesn't have a family member who is a suitable match.
Check out www.marrow.org for more information. The tissue typing kit to join costs $52, but I was able to do it for free through an event at my university last year.
E.C. said... January 18, 2009 4:18 PM
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