"Sometimes life produces a fog in your life that is blinding. The guiding light for us was The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society who helped us navigate through our darkest days."
This story is about The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I think it’s worth sharing because it's about survival. Surviving the moment is important, I think you get geared for a fight when you get a devastating diagnosis such as ours. You fight and fight only to find out that the bills still have to be paid. I understood this, but it was difficult to run a business. I just didn't care about anything that didn't have to deal with Kaylee and our family. I was depressed and sick with sorrow. This went on for awhile until I told myself that I had worked way to hard to lose what I had created. It was an inventory time. I had to take stock of everything.
I figured if I didn't have the drive for my business, maybe The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society would have something I could do that would give me a jump start. I needed to get out of the house and do something. This turn around I was looking for would be healthy for me, my family, and everyone involved with me.
I don’t just worry about me, but I worry about the people and employees who look towards me for direction. I am directly responsible for people, their families, and their bills. If I’m gone or out of it, then the vision needs to come from somewhere. It is my vision and determination, combined with others, that keeps this company alive. Many people consider personal and business issues seperate, but I disagree. I’m here to say that they directly tie into each other. If you have trouble functioning on a personal level, it’ll rollover into the business side of your life.
So many times you hear of an organization that has meaning but not to you. That was the case of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (L.L.S.) Last April or May I was reading an article and noticing the pictures of a big event hosted by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I looked at the pages with all these individuals who had come together for a Gala that looked so rich. I say rich meaning clean and prestigious. I told the guys that work with me, that someday we’ll be there rubbing elbows and donating money. I didn't have a clue what L.L.S. did, I just wanted to be there.
It has always been my goal to give back. To be giving and generous is what successful people do. I figured if I could stop worrying about the phone bill one day and could actually make a donation then I’d be successful. I also wanted to be in the same room as those people who are photographed looking so good in those magazines and newspapers. If this starts sounding bad please forgive me because my priorities were mixed up. I never wanted the L.L.S. to have a part of my life, I just wanted to give and go. But life is funny.
When we were in Columbia, Mo and I found out about our situation all I could think about was this Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I still wasn’t sure what they did but it was a name that brought comfort. Family Services in Columbia mentioned L.L.S. and again it brought comfort. Why I’m not sure. But I think it was because the organization had the name of the disease in the title and I was certain they would know what I should do, because I wasn’t even sure how to spell leukemia. They would be there for us.
So we transfer to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City and our Family Service Counselor mentions L.L.S. again. Comforting again. But I never contacted L.L.S. So time goes by and I start coming out of the fog and I need help. I didn’t need financial or medical help but I needed to get out of the house and do something constructive. I needed someone to give me some light. I was still in the fog. So I made my mind up, I would call the L.L.S. and see if they had anything I could do to help their organization.
When I made that call I wasn’t sure what I was going to say. I may have called and hung up, but I finally made the call. I asked if there was anything I could do for the Society. My first call wasn’t what they could do but what could I do. I needed help and it was beyond the average help they’re use to giving. I needed to get out of the house and be productive.
Amy was the first person I had contact with and she listened to me. This simple act of listening was what I needed. It wasn’t a quick “I’ll transfer you” or “we’ll get back with you” but a sincere ear. After I was done mumbling, Amy suggested that I might be able to utilize my screens for an upcoming event. I agreed and we set up a meeting. If you don’t know what I do, I own a company that places TV Networks throughout the city in high traffic restaurants and nightclubs.
The event was Light the Night and Everest Cable had the video. So I made some calls and came up empty. I decided to call a connection at a media company that handles advertising sales for the cable industry. They looked into it and couldn’t locate the tape. My contact said she would do further investigating and call back.
In the mean time Becky from the L.L.S. called and said she located the tape. We would meet on Wednesday and make the hand off and formally meet. It was the start of a relationship. More importantly it got me moving and shaking again. It was a new start for me. The blessing was that the event was a few days away and I had to move quickly. I wanted to donate my time, product, or services. I would do anything to get moving and out of the hole I’d dug myself into.
Oddly enough, it was because of the first phone call that things started happening to my business almost immediately. The media company called back and said their boss wanted to talk to me about the digital signage business. He had watched me grow and was interested in the progress I’d made. They asked if I’d be interested in having a professional sales company take control of the ad sales.
Well from that initial call and first meeting there have been subsequent meetings and a partnership on the table for me and this media group. I am becoming partners with this multi-million dollar company and expansion is on the horizon. All this from my first call to Amy at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
I truly believe that God works in mysterious ways. If I hadn’t made the call to the L.L.S. it would have never changed my situation. I made a decision to change things that day. I wasn’t going to collapse. Who better to call then an organization that had our disease in their name? Until you decide to help yourself you can’t expect anyone else to do it for you. That’s my story.
I cry every time I watch AI! I'm not sure why but I have my suspicions! I think it's because I keep thinking that these kids are children of someone. Sounds strange but when I hear someone with a great voice I feel a sense of - Pride. Crazy but I think how proud I would be if it was my kid. I get emotional hearing a good voice, what can I say.
