My Why
Last year I was honored to be the Mission Speaker at the Kenosha Run/Walk and the SEA BLUE Run/Walk in Chicago. It was a privilege to speak in front of patients, survivors, friends and family members who have been directly impacted by Prostate Cancer and to share my why. I am returning this year with the same goal- to raise awareness about this disease and support those going through treatment, healing from treatment or missing a loved one. My why for 2024 remains the same:
Harold F. Sher, known by friends as Hal, known by best friends as Herky, and known best to me as Grandfather. My Grandfather was the patriarch of the Sher family. He married my Grandma, Ruth, in 1947 and went on to have three children, one being my incredible mom, Susan. He also had seven grandchildren that he considered his pride and joy. He called us the "Magnificent Seven," and a day never went by that he didn't make us feel magnificent.
My Grandfather was a firm believer in hard work and education. I was lucky enough to grow up a few houses down from my grandparents. I spent countless hours after school at their house, sharing snacks, playing checkers and working on homework. Math happened to a subject I struggled with the most. Lucky for me, math was my Grandfather's specialty. We spent countless hours at the kitchen table going over addition, multiplication and my least favorite, fractions. As frustrating as math tutoring me can be, he never lost his patience. His guidance with math evolved into life guidance over the years.
If you knew my Grandfather, you knew he rarely told people that he "loves" them. In his final days, I told him how much I love him, and he looked at me and said, "we throw that word around too much. If you love someone, tell them that they matter." It made me realize the countless times he would tell me, "Emily, you matter,” and how impactful those words truly are.
My Grandfather was first diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 1988. He went through two months of radiation therapy and hormone injections, a treatment plan I’ve become familiar with since working at UroPartners Cancer Treatment Center. This treatment saved his life and he went into remission for thirty years.
Unfortunately, the cancer returned in 2017 and metastasized to his bones. Prostate cancer rapidly ended his life at the age of 87. My Grandfather lived a rewarding, beautiful and long life, however it was still too soon. There have been so many moments in my life that I wish I could share with him. I’d love to ask him for some of that amazing life advice he was always eager to share with me.
This is the reason I am so dedicated to my role as a patient coordinator for men facing the same battle as my Grandfather. It is another reason why I am raising money for the ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk hosted by my company, UroPartners.
Please consider making a donation in honor of my Grandfather or a loved one dear to you that has been impacted by this disease.
Thank you for your support!
You Matter.
$250+ Raised
$1,000+ Raised
$2,500+ Raised
Event Details
Schedule
DATE:Sunday, May 19, 2024
TIME:
7:30 AM
If you think this page contains objectionable content, please inform the system administrator.