This Fundraiser is Personal.
Join my team & donate here: https://bit.ly/tybentli
As this is a very personal journey, this go-round, you deserve to know why I accepted my nomination for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s “Man & Woman of The Year.”
Especially because I need your help (and I am so uncomfortable asking for it).
This path began as support for a wonderful girl and talented young artist, Ava Paige (@avapaigemusic). She invited me to participate in fundraising for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a candidate for their annual Man & Woman of the Year campaign. Even though I knew it would be more challenging than ever, this year, I obviously told this inspiring teenager ‘yes.’
Little did I know how personal this would become for my family, just weeks later.
I’ve been involved in so many important fundraising campaigns in my life, but until my sister called and told me that she has cancer, I had not experienced the full scope of this news.
In the past, I have met the sweet kids and strong families who were fighting cancer. I met them in a place I expected to see cancer - the hospitals, as ambassadors for the organization and at fundraising events. Because of them, my heart has always been connected to this fight - my voice has cracked, the tears have leaked from my eyes. I see their faces when I host a telethon, donate on my own, or participate in a fundraiser. But suddenly I see a face that I’ve known my whole entire life. I can picture this face at every age from the day she was born.
Cancer has been in my family and found it’s way to my friends many times before. Sometimes in more treatable ways, and a few times we lost the people who battled. Aunt Chris, Grandpa Jim and a list that is unfortunately longer. The news was scary then, but I was younger and didn’t have the scope of experiences that I have, now. As a kid, I had a limited understanding of what was going on.
The news that came from Jen was very different. I am sure that it cut so deeply because I spent basically every day of my life with my sister until I left for college. I’ve known her since I held her on the day she was born. I love her for every bit of who she is. We talk constantly, I get parenting advice from her, I laugh at ridiculous things with her, and every year (except 2020) I have excitedly planned trips home to South Dakota to spend valuable time with my family. Family was established as FIRST, by our mom.
Unfortunately I now know what it is like to hear my nieces and nephew cry at the news that they should never have to have heard. I have had to answer my own kid’s questions about cancer. I have taken the news very hard, then powered up so I can assist in the ways that are possible and be available anytime Jen needs me.
It feels unbearably real when I get photos of my sister sitting in a chair at her chemo-treatment. It was a reality we braced for but that is really unnerving when she calls to tell me that her hair follicles are tingling, and the next day sends a photo after my nieces helped her shave her head. Often, I recognized that cancer was in our world, but had the awkward solace of it being a terrible truth that is always out there…but not really in my daily orbit. (swearing in my head). I hate it! I hate that I sit here realizing how many people have felt what I’m feeling. I hate that there is fear that my kids are healthy today and that there are a lot of stories that start that way. I just want to protect them. Its the same way I feel as a big brother to my little sisters. I desperately want someone to find a cure.
Having this hit so close to home creates an extraordinarily different understanding of what it means to need to find a cure. The contrast of before and after is like the difference between knowing how amazing and special kids are, and then suddenly having your own. Or being told not to touch the stove because its “hot” and the way the lesson sinks in after you actually touch it! The experience is more significant.
I hope this message finds people like me who prioritize curing cancer as “your cause.” I know we all have things that we choose to donate to and appreciate you for knowing what speaks to your heart. If you wish to donate to my team, you really do change my whole day through that solidarity of support. More importantly, you could be changing entire lives. Go big today. Every once in a while, it feels surprisingly gratifying to make a statement through our actions and our giving.
I am particularly inspired by LLS’s $100 Million Children’s Initiative. As research continues for a true cure, this specific program is building treatments designed to fight cancer in children. With most treatments having been designed for adults, then modified to treat kids, many childhood cancer patients find themselves fighting not just the disease, but the many side-effects and complications that come with it. We can end that.
Your donation will prevent someone from losing a child, sibling, parent or loved one, and allow LLS to continue funding life-saving research. Learn more about LLS and its mission.
If this isn’t for you, but you know someone whose life has been affected by cancer who should know of this opportunity to fight back, please share with them. I have found that so many of the people I talk to about my campaign have a connection to blood cancer and want to support LLS.
We have until June 24th. Your donation is tax-deductible and many employers (including mine) will match your gift! For more, click this link: https://bit.ly/tybentli
UPDATE: I’ve planned a lot of fun stuff for music fans over the next month and your involvement will make it so much more powerful. Tell your music loving friends to follow @tybentli for the special performances, live events, and artist chats that are coming.
Thank you all!
❤️ -Ty
Join my team & donate here: https://bit.ly/tybentli
Jen’s family visiting the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville!