Sept. 19, 2007 eMemo

Trevor Smith and his mom, Charlie, didn't know what kind of response to expect when they organized "Trevor's Trek," a walk from St. Luke's Mountain States Tumor Institute to City Hall to raise awareness of childhood cancer. Frankly, neither did I.

So when I stepped out onto the front steps of City Hall last Saturday morning to deliver a proclamation for "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month," imagine how pleased I was to see dozens upon dozens of white baseball caps, each worn by a walker willing to take up Trevor's challenge.

This young man has already faced greater challenges than many of us do in a lifetime. At age 13, he was diagnosed with a large brain tumor and spent the next year enduring surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Four years later, this Boise High School senior's disease is in remission, replaced by a determination to educate and motivate people to detect and prevent childhood cancers. Every year, more than 12,500 children are diagnosed with cancer -- 46 young people a day nationwide -- making it the No. 1 disease killer and the second leading cause of death of children in the United States.

Trevor's quest has gained lots of attention, and rightly so. As Trevor himself explains it, "A few steps can turn into a mile. A mile can become a milestone by raising public awareness of the alarming rise of childhood cancer in Idaho."

"Trevor's Trek" was supported by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho and a whole lot of folks inspired by Trevor's courage, character and will power -- including me.

Until next time ... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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