As I'm sure you can appreciate, we often wait for the "right" moment to say good-bye, move on or close a chapter in our lives. When Cole passed away we were sure we would spread his ashes at Pickerel Lake the following summer. But it just didn't feel right - probably because we weren't ready to let go of him in that way that soon. And then months turned into 14 years and it's always just felt more natural to have him closer to us.
For the past six months I've been waiting for that "right" moment to write the final post on the "The Hantscher Update". Dane finished treatment May 8 and two weeks ago he swallowed his final dose of antibiotics. We are half way through the critical first year after treatment and he is doing amazing. He is slowly rebuilding his strength and stamina and it's truly wonderful to watch him play hockey and see he is having no trouble keeping up with everyone else. Call it superstition, but even though he is on a great path, I felt like saying good-bye to the blog that WAS my lifeline and therapy for a good part of his cancer journey would somehow jinx his recovery. Well, today I no longer feel that way and the "right" moment has arrived to close this chapter.
At lunch today we were honored to be guests at the 2012 Manitoba Philanthropic Awards banquet. We were there to watch an amazing man, supported by his wonderful family, receive the award for Outstanding Philanthropist. Dr. Mark Evans is that man and if you have never met him, you will have to trust me when I describe him as a rare person who inspires others to give to amazing causes. Mark and his family also happen to be South Drive neighbors and our first personal encounter with him sums up what makes him so special. In late 2009 you will recall Dane was the "face" of the CCMB Foundation's Holiday Appeal. One cold winter evening our doorbell rang. It was Mark. Although I had never met him, intuition kicked in and I was sure it was "the man" others had described to me as being so generous. He did not disappoint that night. He introduced himself and asked to meet Dane. He told Dane the CCMB letter had arrived in his mail and seeeing Dane's face on that newsletter inspired him to knock on our door. He handed Dane a cheque for $1000 for the Foundation and told him "he was doing a great thing by telling others of his story and encouraging them to give back to CCMB."
Over the years we became more friendly with the Evans and so it was this past winter, just as Dane was nearing the home stretch of his treatment, that we were so saddened to hear Mark's kidney cancer had relapsed and was in his lungs. He would travel to California multiple times for groundbreaking treatment, all the while maintaining his amazing attitude. We received a phone call early one morning from a mutual friend asking for a photo of Dane. Mark asked for it along with other photos of kids battling cancer as inspiration while he was in the hospital. We were so moved and held out so much hope for a successful outcome for Mark.
Fast forward to May 26 - "Dane's Dream" events. We had a very lofty goal of raising $50,000 for CCMB dedicated primarily to pediatric leukemia research. The afternoon before the social Mark texted me to ask what our goal was. I hesitated telling him because I did not want him to feel any sense of obligation because he does so much for CCMB and Children's Hospital already. He "badgered" me a bit and so then I told him our dream number. In a simple text back he said "don't worry, we will get you there." That evening he and his wonderful wife Sharon surprised us on stage at the hall and presented a cheque to Dane's Dream for .... $50,000!!!! That amount combined with the amazing efforts of our committee resulted in $94,000 being raised. When I think of that moment I still feel like I should pinch myself - it really was surreal and will be one of those times that we never forget.
And so it was today at the luncheon watching the video of Mark before he went to the stage that I really reflected on how touched I feel that our paths crossed three years ago. Then when he began to talk and tell his story and how he motivates and inspires others, that "right" feeling started to settle in. The capping moment was when he asked Dane and two other childhood leukemia survivors - kids and families we became friends with during treatment - to join him on stage. Amazingly Mark is connected to all of these families and although I'm not a huge believer in fate, I think there has been some at work there. He had the crowd in tears and delivering a standing O as he talked about how funds raised for cancer research save lives and Dane, Hayden and Nick are the proof!! Mark is also living proof as he is now in remission and with all likelihood and a dose of luck thrown in, he will stay that way for a very long time. So if you ever struggle with whether your donations or that extra effort for a good cause - regardless of which cause it is - makes a difference, please picture Mark surrounded by three healthy young men. We might not all have his means, but hopefully he teaches us every person can make a difference. I hope too that what he has demonstrated sparks youths like these boys, their siblings and friends to carry on his amazing legacy.
November 16, 2012 - nearly four years after Dane's diagnosis and four years to the month that Mark Evans received his original diagnosis, the moment is here and now to say good-bye to this blog. As I signed off so many times during the first several years, on behalf of all of us, our heartfelt thanks for your endless love, support, understanding, dedication, listening ears and compassion. We couldn't have done it without you.
We hold the most positive thoughts we can that our Dane and his special friend Mark never fight this battle again and that others win their "war" on cancer.
Love - Dirk, Janie, Dane, Ashley & Clare
And so it was today at the luncheon watching the video of Mark before he went to the stage that I really reflected on how touched I feel that our paths crossed three years ago. Then when he began to talk and tell his story and how he motivates and inspires others, that "right" feeling started to settle in. The capping moment was when he asked Dane and two other childhood leukemia survivors - kids and families we became friends with during treatment - to join him on stage. Amazingly Mark is connected to all of these families and although I'm not a huge believer in fate, I think there has been some at work there. He had the crowd in tears and delivering a standing O as he talked about how funds raised for cancer research save lives and Dane, Hayden and Nick are the proof!! Mark is also living proof as he is now in remission and with all likelihood and a dose of luck thrown in, he will stay that way for a very long time. So if you ever struggle with whether your donations or that extra effort for a good cause - regardless of which cause it is - makes a difference, please picture Mark surrounded by three healthy young men. We might not all have his means, but hopefully he teaches us every person can make a difference. I hope too that what he has demonstrated sparks youths like these boys, their siblings and friends to carry on his amazing legacy.
November 16, 2012 - nearly four years after Dane's diagnosis and four years to the month that Mark Evans received his original diagnosis, the moment is here and now to say good-bye to this blog. As I signed off so many times during the first several years, on behalf of all of us, our heartfelt thanks for your endless love, support, understanding, dedication, listening ears and compassion. We couldn't have done it without you.
We hold the most positive thoughts we can that our Dane and his special friend Mark never fight this battle again and that others win their "war" on cancer.
Love - Dirk, Janie, Dane, Ashley & Clare
