The fight against cancer, one lap, or frosted cupcake, at a time

Back in June, the summer swim team my son was on held a Swim Against Cancer Marathon. They do it every year, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Donations could be made on a swimmer’s per lap goal or as a dollar value donation.

No question, good cause. Despite the unholy start time of 7:00 am, Ace gamely dove into the chilly water half asleep so he could swim as many laps as possible before he needed to refuel and head off to work for the day.

In the days leading up to the event, we did our parenting duty and nagged him mercilessly to make phone calls to as many people as he could to garner donations. Getting a teenage boy on the phone to ask people for money, even money for a cause near and dear to his heart, is no easy task. For days we asked how his fundraising calls were going and he shrugged and said he left some messages. “Left some messages” was clearly a euphemism for I haven’t made any calls yet because I don’t want to ask anyone for money. I wish he had the same reservation in asking for money when it comes to me and his Dad, but alas that is not the case. Since he seemed inclined to postpone making these calls until oh, say forever, I did what any rational mom would do and while holding him hostage in my car traveling to and from work and swim practices I made him dial number after number and ask for donations. I do believe texting has robbed out children of the ability to hold normal phone conversations because those calls were some of the most awkward dialogues I’ve ever had the misfortune to overhear.

But those stilted explanations and awkward requests produced some dough.

In the midst of all this encouraging (nagging) our son to reach out for a good cause, our daughter decided she too was going to have some hand in this raising money to fight cancer deal.

Hauling out boxes of cake mix, cupcake pans and enough frosting to rot your teeth out of your head, she cooked up a couple dozen cupcakes and set off with a friend to roam the neighborhood and sell cupcakes for cancer. She and her friend spent a few hot summer weekend hours knocking on doors and reminding people that giving a donation to fight cancer can be a sweet deal. She sold all of her cupcakes, except the few they ate on their travels, and gave it all over to her brother’s swim marathon.

Our kids have intimate knowledge of the devastation cancer can wage in a family. They know the benefits that research can have in pushing back on the disease and the support that the medical personnel can provide the patient and family members.

They watched as their grandfather bravely battled two bouts of an aggressive skin cancer and bladder cancer for almost two years before the disease took its toll and his life. Less than a year after that loss, their 25 year old cousin Joey was diagnosed with bone cancer that no amount of research and treatment could turn aside. In less than a year after being diagnosed, Joey died before his baby daughter was old enough to say DaDa.

We KNOW.

Ace wasn’t able to attend the end of the summer party at the swim club due to his job so it was only just a few days ago that one of his teammate’s parents dropped off his ribbons, the participation giveaways from the Swim Against Cancer, and his swimming awards. As he examined what he had, one item clearly overshadowed all the rest, because one he discovered it, he dropped the handful of ribbons that logged his meet times as if they were packing material. This award, of gently curved clear lucite, etched with the American Cancer Society logo, and the event details contained the words Highest Fundraiser under his name. The man-child that never puts anything away without being nagged beyond measure, after showing it off to me and his Dad, immediately placed this award on the shelves in his room that hold his favorite things. This award claims center position, standing out from everything else. With this he realizes that he did something really good, for a wonderful cause, and made a small but significant impact in the fight against cancer.

Giggles also took pride in her brother’s award. She was so proud and hugged him unabashedly when he showed her the award. She also knows she contributed to that honor, by her own efforts and time, with a frosted sucker punch to cancer’s balls. And looks forward to doing it again.

Our kids know too well that the only way to stop the loss of loved ones to cancer is to keep fighting, and donating to fund vital research, with one lap, or cupcake, at a time.

By the way, Ace swam 162 laps that morning.