A Friend of Mine at St. Jude

Last week, I got the chance to go visit a friend of mine at St. Jude. He’s a 19- or 20-year- old cancer survivor who used to come to Camp and attend the MYC After-School Club. It was really good seeing him. He had just received a stem cell transplant, and I’m hoping and praying for the best.


He looked good. He seemed happy. The St. Jude staff seems to be going out of their way to spoil him. He also got some things from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which he seems to be enjoying.


I remember the day they told me that he had cancer. I went through a short period of denial. I mean, how can a 17 year old, healthy, active, fun kid have cancer – especially one that I knew and loved!? Now, I’m not trying to offend anybody. I know that many of you have had cancer hit much closer to home than that. I’m just being honest. It really caught me off guard. It scared me.


I also remember working at Camp with this student – mowing, cleaning, and getting ready for summer camp. I remember playing with him in the gym, working with him in the homework room, and teaching him memory verses and Bible lessons.


One of my favorite memories of him is one that some of the kids and I talk about every time we go canoeing. He was sharing a canoe with one of the high-school girls. They would paddle along quietly, enjoying themselves and maybe talking to the rest of us for awhile, and then, out of nowhere, you’d hear this “PADDLE!!” being yelled at the top of his lungs. The next thing you’d hear was her laughing, and then the rest of us joining in. Then, after everything had gotten quiet again, he’d yell it again. I’m not sure how funny that sounds in print, but in real life, it was hilarious! Wish you could have been there!


Well, I better get. I hope you’ll support the Mission, and I’d also love to find out that you support St. Jude and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I hope we’ve all played an important role in this young man’s life.