Inspiring People

Life is an interwoven web. Derby Lite has connected me to many paths that have meant a lot to me. Sometimes in ways I would never have expected.

Last spring I became the team captain for the Derby Lite American Cancer Society Walk and Roll Team. When we were raising money we noticed that we kept flip flopping first and second place with another Friends and Family Team. It turns out, that the other team was in honor of a young woman (Megan, in her early thirties) with cancer. We read her cancer care page, saw all of the team members and the generous donations and we became inspired by her and her family. We tried to meet the team at the Walk and Roll event in May, but we somehow missed them. We left Derby Lite t-shirts and pins with one of the event coordinators who knew the team captain, Sarah.

Well, last night was the Walk and Roll recognition event (Derby Lite raised $21,856, and was the third highest Friends and Family team), and we met Team Megan's captain, Megan's sister, Sarah. They raised $25,000. Sarah got the t-shirts and pins, sent them to Megan, and wanted to thank us. We got an update on Megan (she's in treatment, undergoing a new round of tests, feeling ok), and learned more about Sarah and her organization of her family and friends for the Walk and Roll. We heard about how Megan's life has changed (she's gotten a puppy and is spending more time with her family since she isn't traveling for work), how her family and even her company has strongly supported her, and how it meant a lot to her to know that people she didn't even know are thinking of her. It gave me goosebumps. We skated for a good cause, raised money, and good vibes for Megan and other cancer survivors and patients.

We are all part of the same web. We rely on each other: those we know and those we don't. Our love for others and the opening of our hearts makes a difference, even when we don't know it. We have connections we know about and some we don't know about yet. And those connections make a big difference in our lives and those of others. So open your heart and share your love. The Derby Love.

Megan and Sarah, I wish you the best: Health, happiness and love (derby and otherwise!)