Preparing For The 2010 Walk

We're just under two weeks away from the Dallas Light the Night Walk.  Team Jason is soaring well above the "competition" and will easily slide into 1st place for the 2nd year in a row.  I mean, it's not really a competition...we're all raising money for the same cause.  But hey, I'll walk a little taller knowing that our team raised more money than all those other teams!  LOL

Meantime, as I referenced in my post last month, they'll be presenting Team Jason with the "Jason Harmon Enduring Spirit Award" at this year's walk.  When they told me about the award, they asked if I could put together a little bio about Jason and his fight against blood cancer.  So, this is what I've come up with.  This will be read as an introduction to the award while a slideshow of pictures of him flashes across the two jumbo screens.  (Jason would totally be embarrassed...and I LOVE that! hahaha)  Let me know what you think:

"For those who knew Jason Andrew Harmon, May 28th will forever be the day cancer entered his life – as well as the day that cancer took his life. Jason was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of non-hodgkins lymphoma on May 28th, 2008 several weeks after he first discovered a mass under his arm. Over the months that followed, Jason endured numerous rounds of chemotherapy that eventually lead to a stem cell transplant. By January, Jason and those who loved him learned that nothing seemed to be working to kill his cancer. For two more months, Jason and his doctors continued trying new things. But, after a PET scan in March, doctors discovered Jason's cancer had spread throughout his body. He was given two months to live.


Despite that dire prediction, Jason continued to live his life as normal as possible between the endless stream of doctor visits, blood infusions, and radiation therapy which he insisted they keep doing. He continued searching for new treatment possibilities. He also continued working – something he loved to do – and he continued fighting for every moment of his independence. Throughout his illness, he never wanted to be treated as a “sick person”. He never let cancer run his life or the lives of those who cared for him (no matter how hard they tried). From the very beginning, Jason maintained his fighting spirit.

On May 28th, 2009 – exactly one year to the day of his diagnosis, cancer took Jason's life. But because he never let cancer into heart & soul, he would forever have the last laugh and will always be remembered as a true fighter and survivor. Every day, that part of Jason’s spirit continues to comfort those who love him.

In the wake of Jason's death, Jason's friends & family united with one objective – keeping his fighting spirit alive. Through Team Jason and the Light the Night Walk, members of Team Jason have raised nearly $30,000 in less than two years for patient support and blood cancer research that we all hope will someday lead to a cure."

Until next time --
Stuart