In Memory of my Mother | Maike Van Niekerk | TEDxDalhousieU

the first time my mom was diagnosed with

the first time my mom was diagnosed with cancer I was 10 years old and so

cancer I was 10 years old and so

cancer I was 10 years old and so thinking back to life in grade four I

thinking back to life in grade four I

thinking back to life in grade four I can remember a lot of normal things so I

can remember a lot of normal things so I

can remember a lot of normal things so I can remember having sleepovers with my

can remember having sleepovers with my

can remember having sleepovers with my best friends I can remember watching

best friends I can remember watching

best friends I can remember watching scooby-doo and I can remember playing

scooby-doo and I can remember playing

scooby-doo and I can remember playing with my toys but I can also remember a

with my toys but I can also remember a

with my toys but I can also remember a lot of things that weren’t so normal

lot of things that weren’t so normal

lot of things that weren’t so normal like when my mom lost her hair she

like when my mom lost her hair she

like when my mom lost her hair she dropped to a size double zero and she

dropped to a size double zero and she

dropped to a size double zero and she became as pale as a ghost but the funny

became as pale as a ghost but the funny

became as pale as a ghost but the funny thing about being little or at least in

thing about being little or at least in

thing about being little or at least in my experience is that you don’t question

my experience is that you don’t question

my experience is that you don’t question things and so when she told me that her

things and so when she told me that her

things and so when she told me that her cancer was gone and that she was cured

cancer was gone and that she was cured

cancer was gone and that she was cured despite everything that was happening to

despite everything that was happening to

despite everything that was happening to her I believed her and I thought

her I believed her and I thought

her I believed her and I thought everything was better and that

everything was better and that

everything was better and that everything would be the same as always

everything would be the same as always

everything would be the same as always as if cancer had never even happened

as if cancer had never even happened

as if cancer had never even happened but when you turn 15 and your mom tells

but when you turn 15 and your mom tells

but when you turn 15 and your mom tells you that she’s diagnosed with cancer

you that she’s diagnosed with cancer

you that she’s diagnosed with cancer again

again

again you don’t react quite the same this time

you don’t react quite the same this time

you don’t react quite the same this time cancer wasn’t just a scary word it

cancer wasn’t just a scary word it

cancer wasn’t just a scary word it became an extremely scary reality for me

became an extremely scary reality for me

became an extremely scary reality for me because at this point I now knew people

because at this point I now knew people

because at this point I now knew people whose loved ones had passed away from

whose loved ones had passed away from

whose loved ones had passed away from cancer and while I wish I could stand

cancer and while I wish I could stand

cancer and while I wish I could stand here before you and tell you that that

here before you and tell you that that

here before you and tell you that that fear remained inside me her entire

fear remained inside me her entire

fear remained inside me her entire cancer continuum it didn’t because her

cancer continuum it didn’t because her

cancer continuum it didn’t because her Billy duty to stay so calm and so cool

Billy duty to stay so calm and so cool

Billy duty to stay so calm and so cool and so collected caused me to turn back

and so collected caused me to turn back

and so collected caused me to turn back to my oblivious and hopeful ten-year-old

to my oblivious and hopeful ten-year-old

to my oblivious and hopeful ten-year-old self and to give you a little bit of an

self and to give you a little bit of an

self and to give you a little bit of an idea on how this happened let me tell

idea on how this happened let me tell

idea on how this happened let me tell you something about my mom my mom was

you something about my mom my mom was

you something about my mom my mom was the biggest people pleaser and so all of

the biggest people pleaser and so all of

the biggest people pleaser and so all of her friends thought that they were her

her friends thought that they were her

her friends thought that they were her best friends if someone ever did

best friends if someone ever did

best friends if someone ever did something nice for her they were

something nice for her they were

something nice for her they were permanently on her Christmas card and

permanently on her Christmas card and

permanently on her Christmas card and Christmas cookie list and so if a

Christmas cookie list and so if a

Christmas cookie list and so if a difficult situation were to arise she

difficult situation were to arise she

difficult situation were to arise she would always make light of it to

would always make light of it to

would always make light of it to diminish people’s worries and so I guess

diminish people’s worries and so I guess

diminish people’s worries and so I guess you could say that she

you could say that she

you could say that she played the ultimate deception on my

played the ultimate deception on my

played the ultimate deception on my sisters and I because none of us knew

sisters and I because none of us knew

sisters and I because none of us knew how sick she really was and admittedly I

how sick she really was and admittedly I

how sick she really was and admittedly I probably should have known the

probably should have known the

probably should have known the difference but I like living life that

difference but I like living life that

difference but I like living life that way I liked not thinking about losing my

way I liked not thinking about losing my

way I liked not thinking about losing my best friend

best friend

best friend I liked not thinking about losing my

I liked not thinking about losing my

I liked not thinking about losing my mother and I like living a normal life

mother and I like living a normal life

mother and I like living a normal life and that normality remained for a few

and that normality remained for a few

and that normality remained for a few months she was able to celebrate her

months she was able to celebrate her

months she was able to celebrate her 54th birthday and a week after that she

54th birthday and a week after that she

54th birthday and a week after that she packed my lunch and she took me to

packed my lunch and she took me to

packed my lunch and she took me to school I went to a basketball game and

school I went to a basketball game and

school I went to a basketball game and from what I can remember the basketball

from what I can remember the basketball

from what I can remember the basketball game was relatively uneventful and the

game was relatively uneventful and the

game was relatively uneventful and the one thing I can really remember was when

one thing I can really remember was when

one thing I can really remember was when I was driving home with one of my

I was driving home with one of my

I was driving home with one of my friends Mother’s we were talking about

friends Mother’s we were talking about

friends Mother’s we were talking about how one of my classmates have lost her

how one of my classmates have lost her

how one of my classmates have lost her mom to cancer when she was in grade

mom to cancer when she was in grade

mom to cancer when she was in grade seven and I remember sitting in the car

seven and I remember sitting in the car

seven and I remember sitting in the car saying she is so strong I cannot imagine

saying she is so strong I cannot imagine

saying she is so strong I cannot imagine losing my mom because to me that was

losing my mom because to me that was

losing my mom because to me that was such an unrealistic reality and so when

such an unrealistic reality and so when

such an unrealistic reality and so when we returned to my friend’s house I tried

we returned to my friend’s house I tried

we returned to my friend’s house I tried to call my mom for her to pick me up

to call my mom for her to pick me up

to call my mom for her to pick me up however I couldn’t get a call and I

however I couldn’t get a call and I

however I couldn’t get a call and I couldn’t get a hold of her and that was

couldn’t get a hold of her and that was

couldn’t get a hold of her and that was quite common because she was always busy

quite common because she was always busy

quite common because she was always busy doing something and so I just got a ride

doing something and so I just got a ride

doing something and so I just got a ride home with one of my friends but when I

home with one of my friends but when I

home with one of my friends but when I arrived home I immediately knew

arrived home I immediately knew

arrived home I immediately knew something was wrong I came to the house

something was wrong I came to the house

something was wrong I came to the house and all of the windows were completely

and all of the windows were completely

and all of the windows were completely black but the car was in the driveway

black but the car was in the driveway

black but the car was in the driveway which meant that she has to be home and

which meant that she has to be home and

which meant that she has to be home and so I left the car and I frantically

so I left the car and I frantically

so I left the car and I frantically entered the house and I called for my

entered the house and I called for my

entered the house and I called for my mom and there was no answer and so when

mom and there was no answer and so when

mom and there was no answer and so when I turned on the light my worst nightmare

I turned on the light my worst nightmare

I turned on the light my worst nightmare had become a reality and I found my mom

had become a reality and I found my mom

had become a reality and I found my mom passed away and the last thing that I

passed away and the last thing that I

passed away and the last thing that I could say to her before the ambulance

could say to her before the ambulance

could say to her before the ambulance and the police showed up were that I

and the police showed up were that I

and the police showed up were that I will never stop fighting in your memory

will never stop fighting in your memory

will never stop fighting in your memory and trying to follow through with this

and trying to follow through with this

and trying to follow through with this promise and find something to

promise and find something to

promise and find something to commemorate her was something that

commemorate her was something that

commemorate her was something that really weighed on me and the one thing

really weighed on me and the one thing

really weighed on me and the one thing that I could remember in both of her

that I could remember in both of her

that I could remember in both of her cancer experiences were that she lost

cancer experiences were that she lost

cancer experiences were that she lost her hair and so I thought I am going to

her hair and so I thought I am going to

her hair and so I thought I am going to fundraise to buy wigs for

fundraise to buy wigs for

fundraise to buy wigs for every single cancer patient in

every single cancer patient in

every single cancer patient in Newfoundland and so I took my idea and I

Newfoundland and so I took my idea and I

Newfoundland and so I took my idea and I came up to the Canadian Cancer Society

came up to the Canadian Cancer Society

came up to the Canadian Cancer Society and I said I’m going to fundraise you a

and I said I’m going to fundraise you a

and I said I’m going to fundraise you a ton of wigs and then the person who was

ton of wigs and then the person who was

ton of wigs and then the person who was working there said oh my god that’s a

working there said oh my god that’s a

working there said oh my god that’s a great idea but and there’s always a but

great idea but and there’s always a but

great idea but and there’s always a but we already have enough wigs and so at

we already have enough wigs and so at

we already have enough wigs and so at that point I realize I should probably

that point I realize I should probably

that point I realize I should probably start by asking instead of telling and

start by asking instead of telling and

start by asking instead of telling and so I asked them well then what is the

so I asked them well then what is the

so I asked them well then what is the biggest problem faced by Newfoundland

biggest problem faced by Newfoundland

biggest problem faced by Newfoundland cancer patients and she told me that the

cancer patients and she told me that the

cancer patients and she told me that the one the only place to receive radiation

one the only place to receive radiation

one the only place to receive radiation treatment and neuf land was in st. Johns

treatment and neuf land was in st. Johns

treatment and neuf land was in st. Johns and so you can imagine some people have

and so you can imagine some people have

and so you can imagine some people have to travel two hours eight hours or 11

to travel two hours eight hours or 11

to travel two hours eight hours or 11 hours in order to receive that treatment

hours in order to receive that treatment

hours in order to receive that treatment and you can imagine also that that could

and you can imagine also that that could

and you can imagine also that that could becomes quite costly quite quickly and

becomes quite costly quite quickly and

becomes quite costly quite quickly and so a lot of people have to make the

so a lot of people have to make the

so a lot of people have to make the difficult decision of whether or not

difficult decision of whether or not

difficult decision of whether or not they can afford treatment and so I left

they can afford treatment and so I left

they can afford treatment and so I left behind wigs and I moved towards

behind wigs and I moved towards

behind wigs and I moved towards accessibility and in partnership with

accessibility and in partnership with

accessibility and in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society

the Canadian Cancer Society

the Canadian Cancer Society I started katrin’s care package in

I started katrin’s care package in

I started katrin’s care package in memory of my mom Katrine so the mandate

memory of my mom Katrine so the mandate

memory of my mom Katrine so the mandate for Katrina’s care package was quite

for Katrina’s care package was quite

for Katrina’s care package was quite clear if cancer patients are fighting

clear if cancer patients are fighting

clear if cancer patients are fighting for their lives why should they be

for their lives why should they be

for their lives why should they be fighting for their treatment and we

fighting for their treatment and we

fighting for their treatment and we wanted to offset those travel costs

wanted to offset those travel costs

wanted to offset those travel costs however then came the second issue well

however then came the second issue well

however then came the second issue well how are we going to do that and so I try

how are we going to do that and so I try

how are we going to do that and so I try to reflect back on how I had fund raised

to reflect back on how I had fund raised

to reflect back on how I had fund raised in the past and the one thing I could

in the past and the one thing I could

in the past and the one thing I could think of was bake sales well I probably

think of was bake sales well I probably

think of was bake sales well I probably have to do a few hundred or thousand

have to do a few hundred or thousand

have to do a few hundred or thousand bake sales in order to make this

bake sales in order to make this

bake sales in order to make this sustainable so I thought okay scratch

sustainable so I thought okay scratch

sustainable so I thought okay scratch that idea I can’t do that and the next

that idea I can’t do that and the next

that idea I can’t do that and the next thing I thought was okay well how have

thing I thought was okay well how have

thing I thought was okay well how have other people brought awareness to an

other people brought awareness to an

other people brought awareness to an issue and fund raised a lot of money

issue and fund raised a lot of money

issue and fund raised a lot of money they tortured themselves physically okay

they tortured themselves physically okay

they tortured themselves physically okay so I have to do something physically

so I have to do something physically

so I have to do something physically extreme I’m going to biker bike ride

extreme I’m going to biker bike ride

extreme I’m going to biker bike ride across Newfoundland with the 1,100

across Newfoundland with the 1,100

across Newfoundland with the 1,100 kilometer bike ride will represent the

kilometer bike ride will represent the

kilometer bike ride will represent the struggle and the journey that cancer

struggle and the journey that cancer

struggle and the journey that cancer patients have to take across new FLANN

patients have to take across new FLANN

patients have to take across new FLANN in order to receive their treatment the

in order to receive their treatment the

in order to receive their treatment the last time that I had ridden a bike was

last time that I had ridden a bike was

last time that I had ridden a bike was like ten years before that time however

like ten years before that time however

like ten years before that time however I thought that I was pretty good at it

I thought that I was pretty good at it

I thought that I was pretty good at it so I thought this isn’t gonna be that

so I thought this isn’t gonna be that

so I thought this isn’t gonna be that hard and it turns out that it

hard and it turns out that it

hard and it turns out that it a little harder than I expected not only

a little harder than I expected not only

a little harder than I expected not only just because of the bike ride but also

just because of the bike ride but also

just because of the bike ride but also because people had a lot of dates in me

because people had a lot of dates in me

because people had a lot of dates in me so let me take you along my journey of

so let me take you along my journey of

so let me take you along my journey of training so this was in August of 2013

training so this was in August of 2013

training so this was in August of 2013 and so I said okay I’m going to do this

and so I said okay I’m going to do this

and so I said okay I’m going to do this bike ride in August of 2014 I’m going to

bike ride in August of 2014 I’m going to

bike ride in August of 2014 I’m going to do it in ten days then from September to

do it in ten days then from September to

do it in ten days then from September to May I spent about two hours a day at the

May I spent about two hours a day at the

May I spent about two hours a day at the gym at the doll plex hogging and

gym at the doll plex hogging and

gym at the doll plex hogging and sweating all over the stationary bikes

sweating all over the stationary bikes

sweating all over the stationary bikes and then when I was finished my clinical

and then when I was finished my clinical

and then when I was finished my clinical because I’m in nursing when I came home

because I’m in nursing when I came home

because I’m in nursing when I came home to Newfoundland in June I realized that

to Newfoundland in June I realized that

to Newfoundland in June I realized that not only should I probably begin

not only should I probably begin

not only should I probably begin fundraising but I should probably learn

fundraising but I should probably learn

fundraising but I should probably learn how to ride a road bike because

how to ride a road bike because

how to ride a road bike because apparently road bikes aren’t the same

apparently road bikes aren’t the same

apparently road bikes aren’t the same thing as mountain bikes so my first day

thing as mountain bikes so my first day

thing as mountain bikes so my first day on the road bike went really well I was

on the road bike went really well I was

on the road bike went really well I was able to clip in my shoes I was biking

able to clip in my shoes I was biking

able to clip in my shoes I was biking along with my dad I was becoming a

along with my dad I was becoming a

along with my dad I was becoming a little bit too confident with myself and

little bit too confident with myself and

little bit too confident with myself and then the second day rolled around and

then the second day rolled around and

then the second day rolled around and everything went downhill when I saw a

everything went downhill when I saw a

everything went downhill when I saw a bunny so everyone that knows me knows I

bunny so everyone that knows me knows I

bunny so everyone that knows me knows I love I love bunnies ever since I was

love I love bunnies ever since I was

love I love bunnies ever since I was five I’ve wanted a bunny and so here I

five I’ve wanted a bunny and so here I

five I’ve wanted a bunny and so here I am over confidently biking along and I

am over confidently biking along and I

am over confidently biking along and I see this bunny hopping across the road

see this bunny hopping across the road

see this bunny hopping across the road and so to me obviously I’m going to try

and so to me obviously I’m going to try

and so to me obviously I’m going to try and dodge that bunny and then I dodged

and dodge that bunny and then I dodged

and dodge that bunny and then I dodged straight into a ditch and I fall

straight into a ditch and I fall

straight into a ditch and I fall headfirst over my bike and the bunny

headfirst over my bike and the bunny

headfirst over my bike and the bunny survives

survives

survives unfortunately my dignity didn’t and as

unfortunately my dignity didn’t and as

unfortunately my dignity didn’t and as if like what anyone else would do I

if like what anyone else would do I

if like what anyone else would do I looked around to see if anyone saw me do

looked around to see if anyone saw me do

looked around to see if anyone saw me do it and of course as I turn around I see

it and of course as I turn around I see

it and of course as I turn around I see a lovely competent bike rider heading my

a lovely competent bike rider heading my

a lovely competent bike rider heading my way and thankfully because of that bunny

way and thankfully because of that bunny

way and thankfully because of that bunny I just met one of the best cyclists in

I just met one of the best cyclists in

I just met one of the best cyclists in new female cyclists and new FLANN Vicky

new female cyclists and new FLANN Vicky

new female cyclists and new FLANN Vicky Parsons and she became my trainer and

Parsons and she became my trainer and

Parsons and she became my trainer and she worked with me for the next two

she worked with me for the next two

she worked with me for the next two months to get me ready for this journey

months to get me ready for this journey

months to get me ready for this journey so if I wasn’t busy biking I was at the

so if I wasn’t busy biking I was at the

so if I wasn’t busy biking I was at the Canadian Cancer Society with Tara

Canadian Cancer Society with Tara

Canadian Cancer Society with Tara Shanahan putting together sponsorship

Shanahan putting together sponsorship

Shanahan putting together sponsorship proposals going to different companies

proposals going to different companies

proposals going to different companies and also putting off a little

and also putting off a little

and also putting off a little fundraisers with my friends and my

fundraisers with my friends and my

fundraisers with my friends and my family and before I knew it

family and before I knew it

family and before I knew it August had rolled around so here you can

August had rolled around so here you can

August had rolled around so here you can see

see

see my bike ride so I started right off the

my bike ride so I started right off the

my bike ride so I started right off the tip and I went all the way down to the

tip and I went all the way down to the

tip and I went all the way down to the end and so biking 110 kilometers a day

end and so biking 110 kilometers a day

end and so biking 110 kilometers a day took about five and a half hours if I

took about five and a half hours if I

took about five and a half hours if I was going at a comfortable pace

was going at a comfortable pace

was going at a comfortable pace but every day there is a different

but every day there is a different

but every day there is a different struggle so at the top of Newfoundland

struggle so at the top of Newfoundland

struggle so at the top of Newfoundland there was really really really strong

there was really really really strong

there was really really really strong winds and so sometimes it felt like I

winds and so sometimes it felt like I

winds and so sometimes it felt like I wasn’t even moving and my dad would

wasn’t even moving and my dad would

wasn’t even moving and my dad would actually have to circle back around to

actually have to circle back around to

actually have to circle back around to see if I wasn’t hit by a car because he

see if I wasn’t hit by a car because he

see if I wasn’t hit by a car because he thought I was going so slow and then in

thought I was going so slow and then in

thought I was going so slow and then in the middle of the island I was greeted

the middle of the island I was greeted

the middle of the island I was greeted with some nice torturous Hills that had

with some nice torturous Hills that had

with some nice torturous Hills that had a try and climb so my legs were killing

a try and climb so my legs were killing

a try and climb so my legs were killing and then when I got to st. John’s I was

and then when I got to st. John’s I was

and then when I got to st. John’s I was welcomed by a lot of rain and fog but

welcomed by a lot of rain and fog but

welcomed by a lot of rain and fog but with every negative experience there is

with every negative experience there is

with every negative experience there is always a story and so my first bike my

always a story and so my first bike my

always a story and so my first bike my first day biking I met a woman who was

first day biking I met a woman who was

first day biking I met a woman who was driving along and she stopped her car

driving along and she stopped her car

driving along and she stopped her car and she came out with her son and she

and she came out with her son and she

and she came out with her son and she said that I just got back from my last

said that I just got back from my last

said that I just got back from my last radiation treatment and I’ve just been

radiation treatment and I’ve just been

radiation treatment and I’ve just been driving 11 hours and she hugged me and

driving 11 hours and she hugged me and

driving 11 hours and she hugged me and she said you don’t know how much this

she said you don’t know how much this

she said you don’t know how much this means to the people of st. Anthony we

means to the people of st. Anthony we

means to the people of st. Anthony we need this so badly and then I continued

need this so badly and then I continued

need this so badly and then I continued to bike along and I went into a

to bike along and I went into a

to bike along and I went into a convenience store and then the little

convenience store and then the little

convenience store and then the little girl probably five years old ran up to

girl probably five years old ran up to

girl probably five years old ran up to me she’s like I saw you on the news and

me she’s like I saw you on the news and

me she’s like I saw you on the news and then she started hugging my leg and I

then she started hugging my leg and I

then she started hugging my leg and I was like ooh and then she said I mean

was like ooh and then she said I mean

was like ooh and then she said I mean she said I lost my mom to cancer and

she said I lost my mom to cancer and

she said I lost my mom to cancer and you’re doing this for the both of them

you’re doing this for the both of them

you’re doing this for the both of them and so you can see everyone telling

and so you can see everyone telling

and so you can see everyone telling their story all of the people stopping

their story all of the people stopping

their story all of the people stopping their cars and honking the horns it

their cars and honking the horns it

their cars and honking the horns it suddenly changed from just a single bike

suddenly changed from just a single bike

suddenly changed from just a single bike ride and it turned into a province

ride and it turned into a province

ride and it turned into a province coming together and so by the end of the

coming together and so by the end of the

coming together and so by the end of the day we raised nearly $35,000 which

day we raised nearly $35,000 which

day we raised nearly $35,000 which equals over 400,000 kilometers worth of

equals over 400,000 kilometers worth of

equals over 400,000 kilometers worth of free transportation and you can imagine

free transportation and you can imagine

free transportation and you can imagine with hundreds already being aided those

with hundreds already being aided those

with hundreds already being aided those funds diminished and so this Christmas I

funds diminished and so this Christmas I

funds diminished and so this Christmas I ran seven consecutive marathons across

ran seven consecutive marathons across

ran seven consecutive marathons across New Flint the seven days leading up to

New Flint the seven days leading up to

New Flint the seven days leading up to Christmas and we were able to bump those

Christmas and we were able to bump those

Christmas and we were able to bump those funds up to $55,000 over 700,000

funds up to $55,000 over 700,000

funds up to $55,000 over 700,000 kilometers and hopefully hundreds more

kilometers and hopefully hundreds more

kilometers and hopefully hundreds more will be aided but now you

will be aided but now you

will be aided but now you can tell I’m living in Nova Scotia and

can tell I’m living in Nova Scotia and

can tell I’m living in Nova Scotia and so it wasn’t until I was volunteering on

so it wasn’t until I was volunteering on

so it wasn’t until I was volunteering on an oncology unit that one of the cancer

an oncology unit that one of the cancer

an oncology unit that one of the cancer patients told me that the one thing that

patients told me that the one thing that

patients told me that the one thing that she could remember about her entire

she could remember about her entire

she could remember about her entire cancer experience wasn’t the treatment

cancer experience wasn’t the treatment

cancer experience wasn’t the treatment it wasn’t losing her hair it was trying

it wasn’t losing her hair it was trying

it wasn’t losing her hair it was trying to get to her treatment that I realized

to get to her treatment that I realized

to get to her treatment that I realized that this wasn’t just an issue and new

that this wasn’t just an issue and new

that this wasn’t just an issue and new flan but it was one in Nova Scotia as

flan but it was one in Nova Scotia as

flan but it was one in Nova Scotia as well

well

well and thanks to over 350 Dalhousie

and thanks to over 350 Dalhousie

and thanks to over 350 Dalhousie students in the Health Professions who

students in the Health Professions who

students in the Health Professions who put off a show called for the health of

put off a show called for the health of

put off a show called for the health of it over fifty four thousand dollars were

it over fifty four thousand dollars were

it over fifty four thousand dollars were raised and we are able to expand into

raised and we are able to expand into

raised and we are able to expand into Nova Scotia where we can now offset

Nova Scotia where we can now offset

Nova Scotia where we can now offset those travel costs for patients

those travel costs for patients

those travel costs for patients traveling into Halifax and so you can

traveling into Halifax and so you can

traveling into Halifax and so you can see in over just a year and a half over

see in over just a year and a half over

see in over just a year and a half over a hundred and ten thousand dollars have

a hundred and ten thousand dollars have

a hundred and ten thousand dollars have been raised and something that was once

been raised and something that was once

been raised and something that was once just a simple idea has turned into a

just a simple idea has turned into a

just a simple idea has turned into a program that is going to help countless

program that is going to help countless

program that is going to help countless cancer patients and so I challenge every

cancer patients and so I challenge every

cancer patients and so I challenge every single one of you to find something that

single one of you to find something that

single one of you to find something that you’re passionate about set goals and do

you’re passionate about set goals and do

you’re passionate about set goals and do it and there are going to be people who

it and there are going to be people who

it and there are going to be people who try to get in your path and they’re

try to get in your path and they’re

try to get in your path and they’re going to tell you that you can’t do it I

going to tell you that you can’t do it I

going to tell you that you can’t do it I was told I couldn’t bike I couldn’t run

was told I couldn’t bike I couldn’t run

was told I couldn’t bike I couldn’t run that this program was not sustainable

that this program was not sustainable

that this program was not sustainable and that was too young and you need to

and that was too young and you need to

and that was too young and you need to push those negative people and negative

push those negative people and negative

push those negative people and negative thoughts politely aside and you need to

thoughts politely aside and you need to

thoughts politely aside and you need to remember the reason for why you are so

remember the reason for why you are so

remember the reason for why you are so passionate about what you do and for me

passionate about what you do and for me

passionate about what you do and for me my reason was simple it was my mom thank

my reason was simple it was my mom thank

my reason was simple it was my mom thank you

you

you [Applause]