More Meaning to Our Run, Our other BLOG....

More Meaning: As you can see, a tag line for next year’s run has been added (See header). “Raising Awareness of Childhood Cancer By Promoting Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety: A Memorial to Mitch Butler, Redford MI.” How is this related? Very simply put if you read my other blog (see my other blog below) you’d know that Mitch Butler was a local young man who died in a tragic accident. He was riding his bicycle to referee a youth soccer game and was stuck and killed by a vehicle while on his way there. I won’t go into particulars, it is sufficient to say that he was taken from us far too early, leaving many wondering why.

Over the last few weeks I have has the pleasure of meeting Mitch’s mom and dad and brother, his family and many of his friends. I learned that Mitch was an exceptional young man. A freshman at Redford Union HS, Mitch was a musician as he played the drums in the band at his church, he loved to play soccer, and ran like the wind, or more appropriately appeared to float as he magically covered distance. His favorite book was “Left Behind” (Doesn’t that tell you something about this fine young man?). But, the most important thing I learned is that Mitch loved to give of himself to others, to help those less fortunate and in need. His final act of selfless giving: his organs and tissues were donated so other s may live on through him. Truly a blessing, truly a loss hard to recover from.

The thrust of next years journey run has not changed. Its primary purpose is to promote awareness of Childhood Cancer and raising fund for research. What we have added is the frame of reference of safety by having the tag line reads as it does. You see, I too am a runner of sorts (who could tell?) and on numerous occasions I’ve had close calls with vehicular traffic as I ran, “Increased Awareness” is needed both as a pedestrian and runner and as one who bicycles from time to time (very limited) and most importantly as a Driver. This will be accomplished as I run by handing out safety literature from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while at the same time promoting awareness of Childhood Cancer, Neuroblastoma by display and wearing of picture, and the handing out of literature too.

The bottom line is the health and safety of all of our children. The loss of a child by any means is most tragic; I will do all I can to prevent such loss.

This also raises the question of how will the donations be handled. All donations except those specifically identified for the “Mitchell Butler Memorial Fund” will be donated to the Band of Parents, a charitable organization who has partnered with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center” working to improve treatment by the humanization the 3F8 monoclonal antibody (and hopefully someday a cure). Finally, it should be mentioned that all monies donated to BoP will made to the memory of Mitch Butler.

Our Other BLOG: Folks please take a journey over to my other blog named "Kicking Neuroblastoma's Butt" there you'll read about my otter running adventures for my Little Buddies. This is our first blog and I think it's a good one, but then again I am partial.

Here's the Link: http://runningforthecure.blogspot.com/

"If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes."
St. Clement of Alexandra


Till later,

God Bless, Gj