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Who Inspires You?

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Ethan Zohn inspired our friend Drew Olanoff to make a dedication. Check it out, add your name and then tell us who inspires you.

“That’s not what I ordered. Can I send it back?”

That’s just what I thought in May when a visit home turned into a trip to the doctor – and that trip turned into a diagnosis: Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Cancer? That’s not what I ordered.

I had just been offered a dream job and was ready to move across the country. The next thing I knew, I was facing 12 chemo treatments instead of a good-bye party. These three months have been tough, but like so many others the powerful people in my life have inspired me to fight cancer harder every day.

One person who has made a huge difference in my struggle is Ethan Zohn – you may know him because he won the TV show Survivor. A while back he found my website, contacted me and since then has been an unwavering friend and supporter. He’s pushed me to live stronger each day and he’s also worked around the world to show others that while it’s not easy, cancer can be beat. He’s there for me on my worst days and has inspired me to join with others to tackle cancer head-on.Will you check out Ethan’s page and add your name?

I created a dedication page for Ethan at LIVESTRONG Action because I want his story to inspire other survivors like me and push all those touched by cancer to join our movement. It only takes a moment and if just a few of us pass on his story it will inspire so many more commitments to fight for a world without cancer:

We?re gathering as many names as we can on Ethan?s page ? and more than 30,000 others ? to show world leaders the kind of human impact cancer is having and urge them to do more. Before my diagnosis, I had no idea what a huge impact cancer was having around the world. And then Hodgkin’s disease changed my life. It touched me, but also my family and friends. I realized that if 28 million people are living with cancer around the world, it touches millions more. Cancer should be something we ? and our leaders ? talk about, understand and work to eliminate.

But far too often we don’t get involved. Or we fight our personal battle without lifting up others around us or pushing for more survivor resources and access to better treatment. Then someone like Ethan comes along and reminds you that even the smallest gesture can brighten someone’s day or inspire an action that adds up to something larger.

Add your name today so that we can continue to grow our movement.

We need more people in this fight and the LIVESTRONG dedication book is a really powerful way to get people involved (similar to my site Blame Drew’s Cancer). Ethan’s story inspires me every day. Check out his page in the dedication book and if it inspires you too, sign it and ask your friends to do the same. It’s a small gesture ? but with your help it can make a big difference.

LIVESTRONG,
Drew Olanoff

  • Tricia Seidenspinner

    My fellow Stage IV Breast Cancer survivORS – although we may not have a cure YET, we are living – and I consider us survivors, in the truest sense.

  • http://www.teamholeinthewall.org/michaelbirdsong Michael Birdsong

    My wife Patricia inspires me.

    She is a ten year breast cancer survivor. She was by her mother’s side 24 hours a day for a week in hospice to allow her mom to die of metastatic colon cancer with dignity, love and grace earlier this year..

    She’s raised tens of thousands of dollars to support cancer survivorship, research and awareness. She went on a medical mission to a third work country to help bring much needed surgical services to a very poor population. Daily, in her job, she helps surgical patients who have the exact same diagnosis she received.

    She has full supported me in my crazy philanthropic projects: a cross country bicycle ride I did across the USA with raise $1000′s of dollars for cancer foundations, two weeks of volunteering at a camp for critically ill children, the list goes on.

    She has no twitter account, no television appearances, no web page, just a huge heart and desire to help people.

    She inspires me.

  • Julie Conn

    My little friends at St.Jude, Dax Locke- age 2 fighting AML M7, Elizabeth Dunford age 2 fighting AML M7, Alex Denton age 3 fighting AML M7, Trevor Vampran age 16 beating AML M7, and all the others not mentioned and all of the ^^angels^^ that WON their battle. They inspire me every single day. They are the true HEROES, they are in the trenches of LIFE & DEATH every single day, fighting for thier lives and they don’t know WHY?, but they do it with a smile. They push and keep going, with parents who have such FAITH and STRENGTH! I look at these families and realize how truly blessed I am to be healthy and how lucky I am to KNOW someone SO STRONG!!! Bless those BABIES!!!

  • http://peterdive.com Peter Dive

    I battled cancer in 1998, and beat it. Cancer clarifies the mind, what’s important, who’s important.. I came out of it knowing life is precious and to follow your dreams . My passion was photography, so I got out of management, and pursued photography, until I found my niche, surf lifestyle and surf action photography. Im 45 and thrilled to get out of bed every day at the crack of dawn to drive to a beach in Southern Cali to shoot surfers.. Its the only thing in my life that I can honestly say makes to truly happy. i may not be the best surf photographer, thats not important, Im doing what i love and experiencing a new joy in my life. so to all the dreamers, keep dreaming. follow your heart and your dream. My heroes are all the people who have battled cancer..we are in a league of our own and until you have been down that road, you cant see things clearly. And to all the doctors and nurses everywhere, you are the angels doing amazing work. thank you. And Lance Armstrong, look at the monster you have created with LIVESTRONG, wow, such a wonderful monster..
    helping so many. thank you

  • patricia mancine

    a breast cancer survivor of only a few months myself–i look at anyone who has faced cancer with courage and a positive kick-ass attitude is my hero–they all inspire me. our own son had cancer 3 years ago-same kind as Lance armstrong–he beat it and so can anyone else. We no longer live for Hope , we live for the CURE!

  • http://www.joycelmaulfoundation.org Mekael L. Shane

    I am inspired by my mother, grandfather and uncle..

    I am truly energized by watching those who have been diagnosed with one of the various forms of Cancer, fight their diagnoses daily, with spirits that are so strong and amazing, that I can’t help but be positively impacted by them, and this fills me with HOPE.

    However, I am intrinsically inspired by the legacies of those whom I lost that were dear to me. The legacies of my mother Joyce Maul, my grandfather John Maul and my uncle David Maul, and my godmother Sharon Birden. Their presences during the course of my life, still motivates and inspires me to want to forever, involve myself in this global war on Cancer. And I am doing so as a LiveSTRONG Army – Leader.

  • http://oregonelkhorns.com Tony@Thatoneparticularharbor

    The Fat Cyclist and his strong family inspire me even in a time of tremendous loss. I do not know him, but he is amazing. He has a must read blog. LiveStrong.

    Tony

  • lorene franke

    You will be in my prayers! Keep the Faith!

  • http://adventm5477.blogspot.com/ Lisa

    Who Inspires me? My father…Cancer fighter for 4 years. Even though he has received a VERY grim diagnoses last week of tumors covering his body ~ He still fights and still hopes for a cure.

  • http://dovesdelights.webs.com Suzanne

    There are many who inspire me but i think the closest to my mind and Heart is a dear friend Rob Moore who suffered Kidney Cancer and after going two years past his given time( by docs) he succumbed to this horrible disease on Jan 1 2009. he was a beloved friend and fellow DJ a man loved and missed by many, He guided me in how to fight with as much grace and honor as i can muster and for that i will be forever grateful!! Rob Moore You inspired me then and to this day!!! Every time i wanna give up i hear you telling me thats just not allowed in our world and feel your boot kickin me right off my pity pot. You will always be remembered and LOVED!!!

  • Tracy D

    My son Robert inspires me. At age 15 he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. At one point I was told I only had days to weeks left with him. He is my only child. He was truly a miracle on 34th street (Childrens Hosp in Philly). He not only started to get well but is turning 22 this month. He has taught me strength in every sense of the word. I couldnt love him more. Good luck to all of the people who has survived cancer or are going through it now and to the families. We tend to forget that you are also going through hell with us while we are taking care of our loved one.

  • http://www.thehumanribbon.com Sally D

    Your post made me smile and I can relate, on some level, anyway. My daughter was diagnosed w/ the same cancer at the age of 15. She was extremely lucky! She had a large polyp removed from her intestinal tract and, thankfully, it hadn’t spread. She had 2 rounds of chemo and is cancer free! She is now 19, a college student, and will be the chair for the Relay for Life event at her college. She, like your son, had to deal with way too much at a time when they should have been having the time of their life. I’m so proud of her! Happy birthday to your son!