Within the first few days of Georgia's diagnosis, we got an email from a friend of a family member who had heard about Georgia and wanted to help. That email was from Will Bacon. He told us that he and his wife, Dianna, participated in Team in Training events in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He told us they were inspired to fight blood cancers because of Dianna's niece, Allie, who was diagnosed with ALL as an infant, went through intense treatment, and remained in remission 15 years later. He said he was training for two 100-mile cycling events and that he would like to ride with Georgia as his Honored Hero.
At a time when we were still adjusting to our new reality and trying to get our feet firmly under us, a total stranger not only reached out to support us but also to recognize how special Georgia is and honor her fight. Will and Dianna spend countless hours training, fundraising, and promoting their events, their Honored Heroes, and LLS - all while working and raising two beautiful children, Abi and Beau. We have learned so much from them and are continually inspired by their dedication and commitment to the cause. They are part of an army of selfless warriors, many of whom we've been lucky enough to meet along this journey, who push themselves to the limit, much like our cancer warriors, to make a difference.
So to Will and Dianna, we can't say thank you enough for everything you have done for Georgia and all blood cancer survivors, but we can say that we are very blessed to have you in our lives - and in our hearts - forever. And who knows, maybe one day, our little fish will be swimming alongside you in a triathlon, raising awareness, funds, and hope for a CURE.
February 2010.
Will and Dianna are both participating in the Capital of Texas Triathlon next month, and if you'd like to support them, visit their team page here. We look forward to seeing them cross the finish line not long after Georgia crosses hers!
Thanks so much for the kind words. It truly has been, and is, our pleasure to participate in TNT events for such a great cause. And along the way we get to meet wonderful people with inspirational stories - Like Georgia's! Allie brought us to this cause, but Georgia has become one of our "founding honored heroes" and we tell her story constantly at TNT events. Dianna once sent me a text while I was doing a very long and grueling training event that simply read - "remember, you don't HAVE to do this - you GET to do this!" That simple line reminds us that we GET to do things for others - and it is a privilege. Thanks so much for allowing us to be part of the continuing story and we look forward to crossing the finish line at Cap-Tex Triathlon with our Georgia bracelets on every mile of the way!!!
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