Team Spotlight - VCU Medical School

As I mentioned yesterday, I have a special fondness for the students at VCU Medical School.  I was their age when I was diagnosed with Hodgkins.  Many of them will make up the future of oncology in this country and hopefully - for a few of them - they will do that at Massey.

The first time I was asked to speak to these students, it was to a lecture hall full of first years as part of their genetics curriculum.  I was nervous - my understanding of cancer and my diagnoses is definitely a layman's understanding rather than a technical one.  I was afraid that I would use the wrong term, or seem ignorant to them, or use some statistic or figure that I thought was right but that they had just learned was wrong.

But they were so kind to me.  I have never been asked more questions - about my relationships with my doctors, about what patients need, about what living with my cancer risk is like.  I LOVED that morning with them.  And have grown to love all of my time with them.
  
So I was particularly excited last year when this rock star started the VCU Medical School Massey Challenge team:

(I'm sorry, Jamie - Its the only Challenge pic I have of the team!)

And I was even more excited to learn that they were back again this year, and that Jamie had recruited her classmate Emily to help her make this the largest VCU Medical School team yet!

As as side note, to off-set the not-so-great story from last Friday that I shared with you yesterday, I want to share one of the sweetest moments I have had in a long time today.  Although we had emailed back and forth for quite some time, Friday was the first time I actually met Emily.  She was even more sweet, enthusiastic, and graceful than I had expected.

As we walked together from the lecture hall to the lobby outside of the M1 and M2's next lecture, we chatted some about the Challenge and life generally.  All that time, I never put together the fact that Emily had been in one of the genetics classes I had spoken to.  Until she brought it up.  It was heartwarming to hear that some of the things I said had spoken to her. 

Sometimes I wonder if all the words we say to all these people in RVA really get through.  Thank you, Emily, for reminding me that they do.

Want to help Jamie, Emily, and the rest of VCU Medical School reach their goal?  Click here.

Team Spotlight - Chris’ Caribbean Crazies

I've said it before and I'll say it again (okay - probably at least 50 more times before April 13) - one of the most cherished aspects of the Massey Challenge for me is the people that it brings into my life.  Friendships seems to take on a deeper meaning much more quickly when you are brought together by something like cancer, and learn about one of another person's most difficult experiences right from the start.

So last year, when I met Worth and Josie Bugg at the Team Captain Rally at Home Team Grill, I probably should have just accepted the fact that less than a year later I would love them both dearly.

Worth and Josie are husband and wife and just being around them you can tell how ridiculously in love they are.  Worth knows he's come close to being hidden from my Facebook news feed thanks to his gushing over his beautiful bride.  If you ever needed convincing that soulmates exist - spend a happy hour with these two.  Hell - just spend a happy 15 minutes with them.

Sadly, just days after Worth and Josie married, Josie's dad, Chris Hanners, was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer of the bile duct.  He fought hard against the disease, but passed away a few years ago.  Last year, Worth decided to form Chris' Caribbean Crazies to raise money for the Massey Challenge and to honor Chris' spirit. 

Last Sunday, Worth and Josie brought us all together to remember Chris, celebrate the holidays, and add a bit more laughter to our lives - which I've learned is something Chris would have totally wanted.   

Worth arranged for a showing of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation at Richmond's legendary Byrd Theater.  How can you not feel festive here?

The Crazies were out in full force, luring folks in to support Massey.  They did a great job, bringing in $650!!

 The super cute couple:

 And my super cute dates:

In taking on the Challenge, Worth and Josie have blessed Massey with incredible support and me with their amazing friendship.  The quote that headlines the Crazies' Facebook page is probably one of the best summations of what the Challenge is all about:

This is definitely a team that cares a bunch.

Want to learn more about Chris' Caribbean Crazies and reason they accept the Challenge?  You can read their Story of Hope here. 

Team Spotlight: St. ChristoCURES

Now that the Massey Challenge is well underway, I plan to start featuring a few of the incredible teams that are out helping us work toward our $500,000 goal.  This seems like a great week to start, since I had the chance to spend lunch yesterday hanging out with these guys: 

They are some of the awesome gents from St. Christopher's School here in Richmond and who make up team St. ChristoCURES.  They are huge supporters of the Challenge, raising tens of thousands of dollars each year.  Amazing.

I mean, check out this picture of their truly awesome team on 10K day last year:

Yesterday we hosted them down at Massey for a little tour of the Goodwin Research Lab:

They also got some more information about what is happening at Massey and I shared my story and our plans for the Challenge this year with them.  They're already raring to go, with their team page set up and plans to get the rest of the school involved with a presentation during Chapel following the holidays.  I cant wait to see what they do this year!

These amazing young men are a great example of how by banding together, we can make a huge impact in the work being done at Massey.  And they're about half the age of most of us, y'all.  So really, if they can do it, why cant we?

Thanks St. ChristoCURES for all you do to help us make a difference in the lives of those living with cancer!

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Have a team you think should be in the spotlight?  Drop me and email and let me know!