So I usually keep the news on in my office at work during the day.  Mostly just as background noise, but every once in a while something will catch my eye and I'll watch for a few moments.

Today, a story on the Today Show caught my eye and soon, I was literally sobbing.

It was an absolutely incredible story about families who have a parent that is diagnosed with late stage cancer and the foundation that makes it their mission to help them.

Although I've been through some pretty serious shit in my life, these families have so much more to deal with.  The thought of not being able to see my children grow up is absolutely heart-wrenching.  Bless them for what they must deal with!

I'm not exactly sure why I became so emotional watching this segment.  I've never had a close family member die of cancer and I don't have cancer myself.  Maybe it was because I'm finally experiencing what it's like to be a father to two beautiful young children?

Whatever the reason, it doesn't make a difference.  I wanted to share this incredible story with those of you who didn't have the privilege of seeing it.

Some people spend their entire lives trying to make a difference in one person's life and never succeed.  The people running the "Jack and Jill" foundation have made a life-changing difference in hundreds, if not thousands of people's lives and they should be VERY proud.

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Grab the tissues...

Deej

That was so inspirational.  WOW.

Like that one daughter said..Make the most out of all the time you have with the people you love.  Cancer or not, we should all do that.

Thanks Deej  (my monitor is so misty and clouded right now)   :'(

Some people spend their entire lives trying to make a difference in one person's life and never succeed.  The people running the "Jack and Jill" foundation have made a life-changing difference in hundreds, if not thousands of people's lives and they should be VERY proud.

Ummmm...Deej...thank you for this...and I pray to God I have made a difference in a few...but YOU SIR...well...YOU have made an incalcuable difference in THOUSANDS of lives...and SAVED more than a few....WOW for sure.

Best,

Jon

Wow....like Linda said.....the word is inspirational.

There are good people out there that do try to make a difference and the Jack and Jill Foundation is one of them.

Thanks for sharing that with us DJ.

Wow is right.   Sad and wonderful all at the same time.  Another example of people making a difference.

Thanks, DJ.  We think we've got it tough sometimes.  Like my Daddy always said...stop and look around you.

DJ wrote on Mar 31^st, 2010 at 9:26pm:

I'm not exactly sure why I became so emotional watching this segment.  I've never had a close family member die of cancer and I don't have cancer myself.  Maybe it was because I'm finally experiencing what it's like to be a father to two beautiful young children?

Maybe it's because you have a heart the size of Texas and pain of any kind in anyone else bothers you . . . and that parental thing too . . . .
:-*

DJ wrote on Mar 31^st, 2010 at 9:26pm:

Maybe it was because I'm finally experiencing what it's like to be a father to two beautiful young children?

Watching the news before I had kids and after have become two completely different experiences. Stories involving families become a little harder to shrug off. I believe for that brief moment we imaginge ourselves in that situation and how would we cope.

Your right DJ, the people running the "Jack and Jill" foundation and many other charities should be very proud because they offer a ray of hope for so many in times of need.


Lefty

It's a nice reminder of beauty amidst all the well publicized ugliness these days! ;)

Joe

Thanks for passing this along, my girlfriends best friend has stage 3 cancer and has not been given a good prognoses on living and has two kids still in school. I am passing this along since she is in a bad way and unable t afford to take her kids on a vacation, hope they can help her like they have so many others, what a great group of people.

Absolutely wonderful organization!  I have TWO tissue boxes going!

Thank you for sharing that with us.  Makes each and every one of us realize that life is a fragile thing and that if we can help even in a small way, it makes a difference.

Sandy

I want to watch it, but will need to get a certain frame of mind first.

I took care of my mom before she passed.  Took me a VERY long time to deal with it all (still do from time to time).

And yeah, I hear you about having kids and it hitting you the way it did.  That's what sends me into panic attacks whenever I have to go in for a mammogram. :-/

Anyway, I feel so blessed in my life, even having CH.  You're very right in that aspect Deej that things could be a hellova lot worse!

Hello, I'm a survivor of Breast cancer. I had a masceptomey, and then went thru breast reconstruction. 5 surgery's later I'm still messed up. And thru radiation is when I started with these headaches!!! Everybody said it was the treatment. I new better. Finally I was diagnosed 2 yrs later. Well I beat cancer and I will beat the Beast!!! Love to all :-/ :-/ :-/