Journey of Hope: Day 42
Total Miles Driven: 15,385 // States Visited: 48 // Towns of Hope Visited: 19
On May 19th when Linda and I were flying to Salt Lake City to begin the Journey of Hope, I wrote a note to myself wondering what lay ahead for the next six weeks. If I were writing a book would the journey be the entire book or just one chapter? As it turns out I realize now it represented just a moment in time, along the entire journey of life itself. Remarkable!
My thanks go out to Stacie Lindsey, and the entire Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation staff for believing in my original vision for the journey. I’m forever grateful for their support and passion in allowing it to come to fruition. I’m also thankful for the support of the foundations’ industry council and trusted partners. The sponsorships of EMD Serono, Ken Garff Honda, Incyte, QED Therapeutics, Servier, Taiho Oncology, Zymeworks, and my previous employer PIM Brands, Inc, the makers of Welch’s Fruit Snacks, were key.
Additionally, donations, big and small, have been received from over 130 donors. Funds raised are all going towards cholangiocarcinoma research. I’ve been thrilled to see contributions from people I haven’t heard from in years. It is truly touching to see that so many people care.
Importantly, there were so many welcoming supporters of the journey that I met with across the country. Warriors, Caregivers, extended family members, friends, doctors, researchers, TV and radio reporters, journalists, and the unknowing, I thank you all for sharing your stories; whether they were joyous, heart-wrenching, or both.
As I told many people along the way, the journey started out as my way of honoring the memory of our daughter, Sarah, and increasing awareness of cholangiocarcinoma. It turned out to be so much more.
In closing, take note of how many times in a typical day you hear or say the word hope. It really is a powerful word that should not be taken for granted.
Thank you all, and Give A Little Whistle!
