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Tuesday, 14 September 2010 03:56 |
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Over the last few weeks, my computer has been as temperamental as a three year old. One moment, everything seems fine as I try to get work done or research a blog topic. But the next-and for NO apparent, logical reason-I’m getting error messages and “Recovery Disc Needed.” Trying to learn from the PC what’s wrong is as useful as asking a kid why she won’t eat spinach, go on the potty, or just tossed aside her “favorite” toy two minutes after pleading for it.
We adults aren’t much different, looking for the “perfect” job, house, or lifetime partner with the sensibility of a New Jersey housewife on that superfluous reality TV show. Most of us spend so much time looking for “it”-whatever “it” is. We never really go looking for the God given purpose and passion meant to fuel our lives. Very few of us reach it.
But sometimes, life has a way of realigning our priorities. When adversity strikes, the true measure of character bursts forth. In 1980, Nancy Goodman Brinker made a promise to her dying sister Susan that she would do everything she could to end breast cancer. Susan and Nancy weren’t just sisters; they were devoted lifelong best friends. Today, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s leading authority and “go to” foundation for breast cancer and a beacon of hope to millions of women. Through one promise made in sadness, countless lives have been saved and blessed.
Brinkman’s not alone: Longtime New York sportscaster Ed Randall’s life changed when a simple blood test led doctors to determine he had prostate cancer. For nearly a decade, Ed’s “Bat for the Cure” has been one of pro sports’ most recognized charities. Randall loves sports-particularly baseball-but his life’s passion was born out of a desire to help men (the vast majority of prostate cancer sufferers are over 40) to survive and thrive.
My friend Sean Kimerling was such a person. He loved the Mets and almost never turned down a round of golf. He was passionate about his job at WPIX TV and being a professional- whether covering the latest news on Derek Jeter or running the obstacle course at Jets’ camp. Family was of paramount importance, and he encouraged loved ones and friends to excel and enjoy life at every opportunity.
In August of 2003, Sean was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Almost immediately, the first seeds of THE SEAN KIMERLING TESTICULAR CANCER FOUNDATION were planted. Sean’s father Noah recently shared with me that true to his selfless nature, Sean started telling family how this was HIS chance to give back, that using his status as a broadcaster to educate men 15-40 that TC was a real danger to them (and that it could be beaten) was, in his mind, his calling.
Sean immediately dedicated himself to getting better, determined to help others catch TC early and/or battle through treatment.
It didn’t happen the way we hoped. September 9th marks the 7th anniversary of Sean’s death, barely a month after first learning he had the disease. I miss him and obviously wish he was still here. But using Sean’s persevering spirit as inspiration, the Sean Kimerling Testicular Cancer Foundation can take some solace in knowing that lives have been saved and restored.
I don’t know how things would be if Sean were still with us. I DO KNOW that he would be proud of the campaign to educate young men about the most frequent cancer in the 15-40 age group. I DO KNOW he’d want everyone to know the warning signs and symptoms of TC. You can learn just about everything you need to know about testicular cancer right here at www.seankimerling.org. I DO KNOW Sean would challenge all of us to meet life head on and to find our passion-particularly if a loved one or perhaps ourselves conquered this horrible disease.
Bobby Taute joins seankimerling.org as a Contributing Blogger. Bobby spent 23 years at WPIX TV in New York, earning 4 Emmy Award nominations as a Sports Producer. In 2008 he created the station's sports blog, "Bobby vs. The World"-now known as "The Huddle." Like Sean a lifelong Mets fan, Bobby's media savvy and enthusiasm have proven invaluable to the success of the Sean Kimerling Testicular Cancer Foundation.
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