What it takes

Last week I was blessed to receive a $1,000 donation from friends who are confident and perhaps inspired by what I am trying to do with my Ironman triathlon effort this year. I can't tell you how much that donation lifted my spirits in light of the recent lockdown in Alberta.  This current set of restrictions has put my swim training in dry dock for the present time.  I have to admit that for some reason this most recent announcement of increases in COVID cases in Alberta - we lead the US and Canada &*#$! - back to in-home schooling for all, and other associated restrictions seemed to hit me harder than anything else we have experienced so far.  I guess it must be fatigue and dismay that the light at the end of the tunnel continues to feel like a train!

That level of commitment is nothing, however, compared to what parents have to work through when they get a diagnosis of cancer for their child.  The level of commitment that they feel they must bring to the work of being a parent is unparalleled and certainly beyond what I'm currently doing in athletic preparation.  Below I have pulled comments from Ronan's mother's Facebook post which continues to try to use Ronan's journey as a way of not only supporting other families in the their struggles but also to raise awareness about DIPG but to eventually find a cure for this insidious killer.

May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month

Ronan was 12 when diagnosed with DIPG. Doctors were convinced that he had a curable tumor until he had the MRI.  His symptoms came fast and with no warning.  July 16th provided the first hint of what was to come.  In one week he could no longer walk without holding a wall, his eyesight was impacted and he was throwing up.  By week two the headaches were bad and the all the previous symptoms were 10 times worse.  By August 2nd we knew it he had DIPG.  

Just weeks before, Ronan had scored 5 goals in a soccer game.  Now his parents were to embark on a months long journey - and commitment - to make the most out of the life that remained to him.  Throughout that time Ronan and his parents dealt with and worked through a lot more adversity than I have experienced in triathlon training in the past or now.  And they continue to show that commitment to Ronan after his passing, keeping his flame alive while at the same time trying to raise awareness about the devastating impact of childhood cancer and DIPG in particular.  

So I hope that with this reality in mind I will do honor to Ronan's spirit and the commitment of his family to a cause bigger than themselves.  That if I struggle with a swim - or lack thereof - a bike or a run, that I can remember what effort, energy and determination it must have taken to continue to move forward with purpose.  I hope to invoke an image of Ronan throughout my training and competition to do better than my previous efforts.  And - with the help of $1,000 donations or whatever you can bring to the table - I continue to strive to cross the finish line of $100,000 for the Kids With Cancer Society.  

Show me YOUR commitment despite adversity.  Kids shouldn't breathe their last at 13.  Parents shouldn't have to watch their sons or daughters slip away.  We shouldn't have to lose the potential these kids could have brought to the world.

F*ck cancer.  F*ck DIPG.  

Commit to the cause with me.  

Home - Greg Hadubiak Cops for Cancer Ironteam (akaraisin.com)