True Friends Make a Difference

Yesterday we had the Free to Breathe 5K Run/Walk and One Mile Memorial Walk. I can't tell you how gratifying it was to see over 300 people out at the Charlotte Sport Park. About 50 volunteers (many of them friends of mine) were there at 5 AM to help set up for the event.

It seems like it would be a fairly simple thing to get ready for a running event, but the fact is it took about 5 months of preparation. I devoted half of Thursday and all day Friday with my friend Brian Brunderman, getting supplies in place. I hardly slept a wink Friday night, trying to think of things I had overlooked. It was a relief when it all came together and everything went off smoothly, thanks to my volunteer friends. It got me to thinking about how important friendships are in your life. There is really not much we accomplish on our own.

I'm an active member of an online support group for lung cancer patients. Sadly, it is not unusual to hear about cancer patients who are abandoned by their friends and family. One online lung cancer patient recently bemoaned the fact that her best friend said "goodbye" to her during treatment. The "friend" did not want to watch her suffer. "I can't handle this." was the last thing she said to her cancer stricken friend. She has not been heard from since.

I guess I can understand. No one wants to watch a loved one suffer. But to be honest, it is family and friendships that keep cancer patients fighting. It is their reason to live and there is no more an important time to show a family member that you love them or show a friend that you care. People are often at a loss regarding what to do or say when someone they know is diagnosed with cancer. Take my advice, the best thing you can do is be a friend and be in touch. One of my lifelong friends, Eric Madsen, calls me once a month just to "touch base" and see how I am doing. It means a lot to me to get such phone calls -- just to know that people care.

I've been very lucky to have very supportive family and friends. The Free to Breathe event is just the latest example. Daughter Jessica came home from Tallahassee (and missed homecoming weekend) to be here to help. That was a really nice thing for her to do and totally unexpected. And, of course I can always rely on my wife, Yoko, who I too often take for granted.

But then there are special friends like Brian Brunderman, a highly reputable general contractor who has been building homes and commercial buildings in our area for over 20 years. Brian is one of my best friends. He is the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Brian exemplifies Rotary's motto of "service above self." Not only was he my right hand man in preparing for the Free to Breathe event, he and his wife Lori created a team that raised over $1000 dollars for lung cancer research. Brian was "all in" from the minute I asked for his help. He knows I would do anything for him too. (He rebuilt my home after Charley. If you need a custom builder, there is no one in the county who could do a better job.) If you have a project for Brian, let me know. I’d like come through for friends like Brian the way he has come through for me!