Dear friends,
I have ridden in the Courage Classic 7 times since 2017. This year will be my 8th time. Here is why I fund raise for Children's Hospital Colorado and ride the Courage Classic each year.
In August of 2015 my sister Martha was diagnosed with Metastatic Ewing’s Sarcoma. Seven years later, on April 15th of 2022, Martha died at 20 years old.
Martha's death came much sooner than death comes for most of us. And I often get angry with the universe for taking her from us so soon. But at the same time find myself feeling grateful for what the universe gave us. Martha was alive during a time and place in human history with access to some of the best pediatric oncology care. But this is no accident. It is the direct result of the hard work of health care providers, scientists, administrative staff, technicians, and many others who develop treatments, administer care, and support patients in countless other ways.
Martha understood the stakes of what she was up against, and consequently she became pretty darn good at focusing on the important things in life. She would go on mountain bike rides when her platelet count was so low from chemo that a minor scrape could have meant a trip to the hospital. She would make meals for her family while doing a 24-7 chemo treatment that we jokingly called "camel back chemo". Martha's ability to not give a f*** about the things that don't really matter in life and focus on the things that do matter is something I strive to emulate in my own life each day.
The upshot is, Martha lived an extremely full, if short, life. And if it weren't for the amazing people at Children's Hospital Colorado and the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders it might have been even shorter.
Please help me and my family thank Children's Hospital by donating any amount you can. Every bit truly counts!
-Sean
