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Cancer "Wall of Hope" dedicated — UPDATE: re-dedication of the "Wall" 10/30/13

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Posted 10/19/2012 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
This week we held a small dedication ceremony and reception at the Buehler YMCA for the new Cancer “ Wall of Hope ,” dedicated to Elaine’s memory (my late wife).   Approximately 50 people attended, including staff from the YMCA, staff from the Wellness Place, and the American Cancer Society, plus the class instructors and class participants from two of the Y exercise/yoga classes that Elaine used to regularly attend, and several invited friends.   The “ Wall ” is in a hallway at the Y outside of the exercise classroom where the exercise/yoga classes are held. Elaine was a frequent participant in the exercise classes at the Y, and a strong believer in fitness to improve quality of life—both in wellness and in sickness.   After she was slowed dramatically by cancer treatments, Elaine shifted from the classes at the Y to “Gentle Yoga” classes at the Wellness Place, a local cancer support organization which provides services to this community. The gift from our family provided in Elaine’s memory will bring the resources of the Y and Wellness Place together to provide new programs of support for our community of cancer victims and their families which are rooted in the healing benefits of exercise.   I hope that my neighbors and friends, or the neighbors of my friends (people I don't even know, but live in my community), will benefit from this local effort. The “ Wall of Hope ” is a place for Y members to tell their stories of hope about themselves or their loved ones.   For cancer survivors, there is hope that one will overcome the illness; and for the families of victims, hope is often focused on treatment improvements that will benefit others in the future.   The “ Wall ” is also a place to give cancer in our community some higher visibility, and to be the location in the Y where the collaborative cancer support programs will be promoted.   PHOTO from the event, and of the plaque on the wall.       edit :   updated thread title Post Edited (Casey59) : 10/30/2013 10:19:26 AM (GMT-6)
Posted 10/19/2012 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
What a great way to honor your wife! I think it is a great location choice. I hope a lot of people will benefit from the Wall of Hope for years to come.
Posted 10/19/2012 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Didn't realize your wife had passed away, how sad. I can imagine how worried your kids must be about having lost one parent to cancer and having another parent with it. Not sure how old they are but it must be on their mind.
Posted 10/19/2012 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
What a nice memorial to your wife and her contributions to both of those organizations. I hope it can become the center point of others discussing, sharing and supporting those less fortunate then themselves. Good job!
Posted 10/19/2012 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Casey

A beautiful lady your wife was, a beautiful thing that is being done with the wall of hope.

Such a wall will I'm sure bring many others comfort.

Hugs

Bud
Posted 10/19/2012 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Casey, what a beautiful tribute to your dear wife...she has a lovely smile and a warmth that comes through even in a photograph. Our condolences to you and your family this past year.

I love, love the idea of bringing together the two organizations that were so important in her life and in yours. Those who will benefit - and I'm sure there will be many - will do so in your wife's honor, and that's the best tribute there is.
Posted 10/19/2012 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Casey,
I didn't know. I am sorry for your loss. She was. Very pretty. I too, am sure the wall of hope will bring comfort to many. Todd
Posted 10/19/2012 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
That's truly a wonderful memorial, Casey.
Posted 10/19/2012 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Wonderful Casey. Extremely well said Sephie.
Paul
Posted 10/20/2012 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
What a beautiful young lady with a smile to match. I'm so sorry about the loss of your wife. May you find comfort and peace.

A wall to bring comfort to others - a great way to honor your lovely wife.

Zimac
Posted 10/20/2012 2:28 AM (GMT 0)
Casey,

Thanks for sharing the Wall of Hope with us here at HW. A great way to honor Elaine.

JL
Posted 10/20/2012 9:04 AM (GMT 0)
very touching. she would be proud and smiling.
Posted 10/20/2012 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
Casey, what a beautiful memorial and great thoughts about exercise.  "A wall to bring comfort to others - a great way to honor your lovely wife."  I agree Zimac.  Your wife was much too young... Take care!

Aimzee

Posted 10/20/2012 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
now that is love cool .

ed

Posted 10/20/2012 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
very nice tribute, thanks for sharing...
Posted 10/20/2012 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Casey, this was a great way to honor your wife. Thanks for sharing.
Posted 10/21/2012 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
A great dedication, indeed.

Our friend Casey here showed his true mettle here, and when he picked me up this past week in Chicago and we had a great dinner. I know from time to time some find his posts terse, but I found the man to be a wonderful caring person.

Thank you so much , Kurt. This photo, and our discussions, both touched my heart. Peace to you always as you move on in your life.

Tony
Posted 10/21/2012 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Can't think of a better way to create a lasting memorial to your late wife, and for such a good cause as well.

david in sc
Posted 10/21/2012 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
What a beautiful tribute to an absolutely beautiful lady!

May the Wall Of Hope always inspire.
Posted 10/25/2012 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
I posted my own story of Hope on the “ Wall of Hope .”   Since the “ Wall ” was dedicated, in my wife’s memory, to cancer victims and cancer survivors in my community to tell their own stories of Hope, mine was obviously going to need to be added. I actually wrote the core of my posting over a year ago, in July 2011 .   I was inspired to write it after reading a thread posted on HW/PC by Todd titled “ I will .”   I wrote it probably the day after Todd posted his message, but thought better of posting my own version in that thread...and I just kept it tucked-away on my computer since then. Anyhow, I thought this was a good opportunity to pull out what I wrote and put it to good use.   Here’s what has been posted on the “ Wall of Hope ” with my name and photo (same photo used in the guest blog I wrote at Dan Zenka's request for the Prostate Cancer Foundation website in Mar-2012):   I am a cancer survivor. I will strive to be a better friend. I will strive to live a full day in three ways:   i) laugh every day, ii) think every day, and iii) have my emotions moved everyday.   [google:   Jim Valvano ESPY speech 1993] I will strive for lifestyle choices that help prevent another case of cancer elsewhere in my body. I will help my children and others learn that lifestyle choices may reduce risks of cancer and premature death. I will use sunscreen more frequently. I will floss more often. I will conserve water, if not for myself then for my children. I will be more tolerant of others who might be having a worse day or worse circumstances than me. I will hold the door open for you. I am a cancer survivor.  
Posted 10/25/2012 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Casey that is an awesome and do mean awesome statement. I am humbled. God bless you
Posted 10/25/2012 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
Casey

Words for us all to embrace - and to strive and live up too.

Thanks for sharing.

Hugs

Bud

We will beat this crap
Posted 10/25/2012 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
What a wonderful gift to others.....a fitting tribute...a beautiful lady in so many ways....
Posted 10/25/2012 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
A great tribute to your beautiful wife...and wishing you all the best in the future.

Be well!

Mike

Posted 10/25/2012 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Casey,
You are the man! I haven't cried since JFK was shot but your love and consideration almost put me over the edge..I wish you and your family well my friend.
Bill
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