This story has an inspiring message. He agreed to let me share it for the spread of awareness that Hope Never Dies. My hope for tonight at the benefit is deep connections and bonding memories with his friends and family.
“Words of expression can’t possibly begin to explain the true blessings of God’s Grace and the most recent support to my family and my situation. As expressed in the poem, this is my third diagnosis and I have been battling this awful disease on and off since my 27th birthday in 2001. First time around I was in such a state of shock for so long and when they told me to go home and write my will and enjoy the next couple months with my wife and daughter…devastation was all I could embrace. But through God’s Will and the support of the most loving group of family and friends that any person could possibly imagine, we overcame the odds and fought through all of the doubt. So lets jump ahead to 2009, we just bought a new home last April and finally have our kids settled into a normal routine and having fun like a normal family…when BAM! First its back, then its not operable, and finally at one time when a heart transplant was my worst-case scenario, here it appears, it has just become my best. So the fear, anger, doubt, and questions of faith all about consumed me. Then, incredibly, out of a tool like “Facebook” high school friends, who I had only recently re-connected with, started to rally with words of hope and inspiration. The next thing you know an event of 20-30 of close high school friends grew into a true network of compassion from people everywhere. I can honestly say, that this single, compassionate deed gave me the ability to see the light once again, to understand its not about the result, but the fight, journey, and battle along the way. Regardless of the ending, I want everyone to know how special each and everyone of your gestures, donations, and time means to my family and me. Although the financial contribution is great and we will humbly accept these gracious gifts and appreciate how they will allow for some additional comfort for what our future holds, the true gift in the benefit is an opportunity for not just my family and I to visit with everyone, but the great part is that everyone of you will be able to visit with each other as well. What a great moment… now different circumstances would have been nice, but most great things come out of difficult situations if you chose to accept the challenge. The true success of the benefit will be a group of friends, some close and some distant, but, nevertheless, a special group of people who chose to make a difference, who chose to share the gifts of life, and most of all for those who chose to show me a love that has always been such a special part of my life.”
All My Love, Alex
