Ben Towne Foundation-Eastside Chapter 2011 This is something I've wanted to write about and share, but wanted to wait till things were progressing before I put myself out there!
I have started a "chapter" aka guild on the Eastside. I decided to do this because it has been on my mind and heart for the past 2 years. This chapter will be supporting and fundraising for Ben Towne Foundation.
I had learned about Ben through my church and got connected with this family's Caringbridge Website. When I received the link to this website, I hesitated to read it simply out of fear for how sad I might get. Well I did...and it changed my life. I spent an afternoon reading all the way back from day one about this horrific journey this family was facing of their son battling a very serious cancer. It was heart-wrenching, real, and scary. Carin (Ben's mom) completely captivated me in her writing. I'm sure part of it was that I have a son who was the same age as Ben, makes it more real and definitely hits home. I could relate to what Carin was saying about her relationship with Ben. I only tried to imagine (because really you can't) what she was going through as a mother seeing her son battle this awful cancer. She said exactly what I could only imagine I'd say...it wasn't rose-colored and glorified...it was real, raw and brutally honest. I followed her journals intently, I prayed, and thought about them multiple times a day. At first, it affected me negatively, in that they were all I could think about, I became worried about the health of my own children, seriously fearing this could be me at any point...my husband even had to tell me to snap out of it...and live in this moment. So...I did...and then I turned it positive, I take not one day for granted that I have with my children, and I definitely have my priorities straight. This family has forever changed the way I look at life. I had to take this negative energy I was feeling and turn it into a positive...that's why this chapter was formed. I kept asking myself what can I possibly do for this family, my children are healthy and Ben is not. What can I do?
While Ben was battling and keep in mind I had never met this family, only knew their really good friends from church (the beautiful Foster Family), I had been to various guild events and thought to myself and maybe shared those thoughts to a select few, that I would love to do this in Ben's name in honor of him, however I only socked that idea back in my brain because after all, I'm a complete stranger to this family. Time passed, battling continued and after what they thought was Ben in remission, came catastrophic news that the cancer had spread and this was the end for Ben. Gut-wrenching, heart breaking...there are no words really.
This wonderful family has taken this horrible, tragic loss and has put their energy into creating and founding Ben Towne Foundation. What a legacy. 100% of the funds they raise, will go to research for pediatric cancers. Ultimately the goal is a cure, but right now, the research is for finding a way to create treatment that doesn't harm a growing and developing child. "Ben Towne Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is supporting the work of Dr. Michael Jensen, a member of the Seattle Children's Research Institute and director of its Center for Childhood Cancer."
When I got news of this foundation launching, I knew this is where I was suppose to help and make myself known!! It was at the launch event that I spoke with Carin's good friend, Heather about my idea and she then took that idea to Carin. Since then, I have met this wonderful woman and with her help (and the help of many friends), am creating the first chapter that will help support and fund raise!
While our goal is to create awareness and funds for the Foundation, we also hope to be a stepping stone for other chapters to form across Seattle, Washington and maybe someday nationally!
We have even had our first meeting as a chapter!! It was amazing! I currently have 11 women that have committed themselves to this chapter. We had great ideas, questions and conversations!
Stay tuned as I will share how we grow and what we do!! Please, take a moment to visit the Foundation's website and maybe even donate to this amazing cause!
