Off topic - some sad news

[w_sohl]

Sorry to hear of her passing. Happy to hear she is doing her part for God.

[Mark Dexter]

My deepest condolences, SWVA. Your daughter and your whole family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[26 Year Gap]

I posted on the original thread, but I think I will resolve to follow through with each Relay for Life event here in town to donate for a luminary in Kassidy's memory. My mother in law is presently dealing with her 5th bout against cancer, so this is up close and personal. Whoever calls a game with Danny has one strong partner.

[wanja]

Condolences and prayers for the the SWVA family. Their sharing and graceful journey is an inspiration.

[Texas Aggie]

Earlier, I posted about actions (including prayer) we can take that change us. I'm going to copy a picture of Kassidy from the website, print it, and have my wife seal it for me. I'm going to keep it in my (football) card holder in my chest pocket this year. Its going to remind me of what's really important and I'll see it quite often this fall.

I suggest we all do something like this.

[refhoops]

Like so many others all my thoughts and prayers are with the SWVA family. I went to Kassidy's webpage today and read SWVA post and I could not imagine anyone reading that without wiping tears.

Like some many other I rarely post any messages but I read posts everyday. This is community is something I cherish. I know that it is doubtful that I will ever meet any of you knuckleheads (this is high praise from me) but reading your posts has made me a better official and learning about Kassidy hopefully will make me a better person. let's keep the faith and I know Sunday when I am church I will be thinking of Kassidy and her family

[CoachP]

As said a hundred times over, my prayers are also with the family. That amazing young lady sounds like she impacted more lives than most of us can ever dream of impacting.

[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?