Got an odd phone call today out of the clear blue. The VP of marketing for the entire Bon Secours St. Francis Health System called me. She said they had reviewed all the patients that had interviews the past 5 years, and that my name was unanimously selected to be honored. For you longer term members, it was over 2 years ago that I was interviewed by the local hospital systems, and then later it got picked up by two local television stations for broadcast. They want me to be their spokes person for several upcoming public relation events.
On September 7th, I will be the Honorary Team Captain at the Clemson vs. North Carolina State football game held in Clemson, SC. They play at "Death Valley" (name of the stadium), suppose to be the 2nd or 3rd largest college football stadium in the country, think it can hold 81,500 plus people, and all their home games sell out.
For starters, I will be given 4 premiere tickets in an air conditioned booth, free parking, free meals. And will meet the players and coaches before the game. As game begins, I will be brought on field, and presented the opening ball of the game, and asked to give a short talk about PC Awareness. As this game will coincide with PC Awareness Week. Not sure how I would feel about talking in front of 60-70k rabid football fans, lol. But what an opportunity to get our message out.
After, I am suppose to be interviewed at the Coach of the team's weekly radio program, for a more in depth interview about prostate cancer.
The football ceremony will be televised nationally. I have never been to a college game before, so it kind of sounds exciting.
There are other marketing things they want to do with me, and other benefits and freebies. They are going to contact me by mail with all the details, so that I know what I am getting myself into.
She said they were praying I wouldn't turn them down, as they really didn't want anyone else but me to do this for them. Apparently, the big shots in the hospital systems were impressed with my earlier video clips, and said I had the perfect speaking voice. Plus they know I am a big fan of their hospital systems, with a total of 11 plus operations there over the years, plus counting both times in PT, 3 years of oncology rehab.
Still kind of in a daze about the whole thing, as it was totally unexpected. Kind of sinking in. I am not a public person in real life, so it does pose some issues for me to overcome in the next few weeks as these events shape up.
I assure each of you, I will do my best to openly promote PC awareness, in the ways that are true to my heart, as I did last time when I was given the opportunity.
The past few days, I was feeling pretty low down, to be honest, about myself and my situation, and then just like that, a phone call comes up and changes things.
Will keep you posted once I know what the full agenda will be.
David in SC
Post Edited (Purgatory) : 8/15/2013 9:55:14 PM (GMT-6)