Off topic - some sad news

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Why don't we all start thinking about a donation (time as well as money) drive in her name? I know we are all scattered around the country but we can do things like:

-- suggest to our chapter we all donate game fees to Make a wish or other organization that worked with Kassidy
-- have a volunteer day as a chapter or even just a group of officials as a children's hospital

Or...other ideas?

I don't want to just talk about how sad this is for family and friends, and then go on about things. I know God has a purpose for everything and one of the ways he works is to use us who have been touched by these events into action. Actions that work to benefit others -- whether cancer related or not. I ask that we all just be open to opportunities.

Remember one thing when thinking about this: prayer doesn't change God. He's going to do the right thing (his will) regardless. We may not understand that now, but this is always the best thing. Prayer changes YOU (and me)!

Cancer seems to touch almost every family. There are very few that haven't had some personal experience with this insidious disease. My wife lost her father as a relatively young man and I had a brother stricken with cancer.

The wife of one of this site administrators, Brendan Lyons(a.k.a. BBallJunkie), is also currently courageously fighting a similar battle against cancer.
http://www.lyonsfamily.org/

My wife and I donate every year towards a cancer cure in the name of all victims and their families. Every little bit helps.

[BBall_Junkie]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

Cancer seems to touch almost every family. There are very few that haven't had some personal experience with this insidious disease. My wife lost her father as a relatively young man and I had a brother stricken with cancer.

The wife of one of this site administrators, Brendan Lyons(a.k.a. BBallJunkie), is also currently courageously fighting a similar battle against cancer.
http://www.lyonsfamily.org/

My wife and I donate every year towards a cancer cure in the name of all victims and their families. Every little bit helps.

JR... obviously I have been away from the forum for awhile. I had been wondering how Kassidy was doing and my heartbroke when I found this thread.

I saw the notes from you, Chuck and the gang on my blog this am and it warmed my heart... Thank You.

There is a program through the V Foundation called "Blow the Whistle On Cancer". If people "really" want to do something as an officiating brotherhood, this is the way to go. They are fully endowed and 100 percent of every dollar goes to finding the cure. Bob Delaney (NBA Ref) heads up this program. The NFL has been participating and they just got MLB involved this year. I would suggest all that want to "help" to donate one game check to this cause... If you would like to know how, please send me an email.

As for me... I am basically taking the season off. I cant go far so did not take a college schedule and told the HS chapter I would consider working cancellations if they need someone and its relatively close to the house. My wife is fighting like hell but she has a tumor compressing her spine which has left her paralyzed from the waist down. If the tumor shrinks she will regain the use of her legs, but for now... I have to be with her to help her get around and take care of her.

SWVAREF... If you are out there, we are still fighting the battle but I know exactly where you have been. Hang in there... Kass will be helping you make the right calls on the floor this year.

Hang in there.

[dan74]

My condolences and prayers are with you SWVA family.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by dan74

My condolences and prayers are with you SWVA family.

As are mine. Sorry I don't know how to suppress my signature - please ignore the humor here.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by BBall_Junkie

JR... obviously I have been away from the forum for awhile. I had been wondering how Kassidy was doing and my heartbroke when I found this thread.

I saw the notes from you, Chuck and the gang on my blog this am and it warmed my heart... Thank You.

There is a program through the V Foundation called "Blow the Whistle On Cancer". If people "really" want to do something as an officiating brotherhood, this is the way to go. They are fully endowed and 100 percent of every dollar goes to finding the cure. Bob Delaney (NBA Ref) heads up this program. The NFL has been participating and they just got MLB involved this year. I would suggest all that want to "help" to donate one game check to this cause... If you would like to know how, please send me an email.

As for me... I am basically taking the season off. I cant go far so did not take a college schedule and told the HS chapter I would consider working cancellations if they need someone and its relatively close to the house. My wife is fighting like hell but she has a tumor compressing her spine which has left her paralyzed from the waist down. If the tumor shrinks she will regain the use of her legs, but for now... I have to be with her to help her get around and take care of her.

SWVAREF... If you are out there, we are still fighting the battle but I know exactly where you have been. Hang in there... Kass will be helping you make the right calls on the floor this year.

Hang in there.

Keep fighting the good fight, Brendan. You know that the officiating brotherhood is pulling for you and your wife.

[swvaref]

wow guys, I have said in our association meetings that my fellow officials are a part of my family,I can sit in front of this computer and say that each and everyone of you are family to. To all who have family or friends fighting cancer,I say to you to spend as much time with them as you can,but dont let this be the only reason,call them tell them you love them, that is what Kassidy taught me.The time we spent with her, she taught us so much I cant type enough to tell you how important time is. I still have bad days because she is not here, butIthink back knowing how she kept a smile on her face knowing she was dying,that gives me stength because if she can do it then I have to.We have found some things that Kassidy wrote during her fight I ask you guys to spend some time one her web page www.kassidyspage.com The Redcross is setting up blooddrives in her name just to bring more people to give blood for childhood cancer, gymnastics clubs all over Va are doing cool things in her honor, Kassidys home gym www.vatechniques.com has their meet named Kassidys Rock Star invititional. It is good for us because it helps us in our healing process.
I thought about not officiating this year but I have so much support from my association and I knew Kassidy would want me to continue,she would skip gymnastic practice to see me ref. I got permission to wear a patch on my shirt in her honor,so I have done some games already. I have checked here on this forum and I have kept up with you guys also. My wife and know that if you can face and get through losing a child, there is nothing else in life that this compares to.Thank you guys for keeping my mind on basketball throughout the past 3 months. Keep Believing.....Kassidy did
SWVAREF---(Kassidys father)

[refnrev]

What did you finally decide upon for the patch? There were many ideas tossed around for awhile?

[DonInKansas]

That's awesome that you get to wear the patch. You work with a class group. Any chance of a pic of the patch?