Tributes
"I did not lose this battle with Cancer. I have put up a good fight with this Lung Cancer and I did not let this disease define me, I define this awful disease and call it Cylon, a fictional villain. I have won the battle with the Cylons as I have reinvented myself to have a better appreciation in life, my family and friends. I hope I have inspired enough people to always put up a good fight with a positive attitude when encountering adversities. We should all live life to the fullest and make the best out of every minute it has to offer."
- Simon Cheung
When I was 8 or 9, I heard on the news of a meteor shower that was going to be visible after midnight. I really wanted to see a shooting star. The problem was that my dad woke up every morning at 5 am to commute to work. Yet even then, he still took me to a park late that night to watch the sky. We pulled up in the parking lot, and I gazed at the sky for what must have been an hour and a half. I didn't see a single meteor in the sky that night. "Have you seen any shooting stars yet?" my Dad asked. I told a white lie, "Yes, I think I saw one." I didn't want my dad to think that he had taken time out of his busy schedule for nothing. I'm not sure he believed me. Shooting stars produce a brilliant light as they streak across the sky. If I had seen one, he would have too. Looking back on that moment and my dad's life, I realize that I was in fact telling the truth - there was a shooting star with me the entire time, and he was brighter and more brilliant than anything I have ever seen before.
John Cromwell was my husband and best friend. After his diagnosis in 2007 we had to radically change our dreams of the future. He used the Grace site to research his disease, and became his own best advocate. We were blessed with wonderful doctors, nurses, and a network of friends and family who helped us cope. John had several good years of stable disease, but in December of 2010 he succumbed. His courage and devotion to our family during those last weeks continues to inspire us and give us comfort.
A woman as lovely inside and out such as Martha will never be forgotten.
She touched us with her grace, wisdom and humor and will be missed.
This is a tribute to Creature's first ever employee, and honorary founder, Melissa Peterson. My partner, Jim, and I (Matt, her husband) could never have gotten off the ground back in 2002 without her (or look like the cool indie rock band that we do in this picture). She helped us set the culture of our company that carries on today. Have fun, be nice and make friends. And don't stress out! It's advertising, for Pete's sake.
Melissa, we all love you and know that you will beat this thing like it's never been beaten before. Your spirit is undefeatable. You rock, and a big champagne Friday toast to you!
Love,
Creature
Dear Umma,
Everything happens for a reason. Even illness. May your fight help others beat this deadly disease in the future. In the meantime, stay strong. We love you!
This is my sister in law, Debra Chidester Clampitt, on the left (the pretty one). She drove from her home in Chicago to mine in St Louis (a five to six hour trip depending on the weather) for over two years to take me to chemo, care for me when I was sick, clean my house, shop and cook for my family while I was undergoing treatment. The most amazing part of this is that Debbie and my husband are half brother and sister raised apart and we only knew her through occasion letters and Christmas cards. I was diagnosed shortly after moving here from California so I had no friends or support. As soon as my husband told Debbie of my diagnosis, she was here. I truly do not think that many people would put their entire life on hold to take care of someone they did not really know. She has become an important part of our family, we will never be able to repay her or say thank you enough. She is the sister I never had and my best friend.
Thanks Deb,
Myrtle
Her name does not appear on the posts, but Wendy Hassan has been among the most important people in the GRACE community. Our daughter-in-law, the wife of Dr. West, has offered ongoing encouragement and inexhaustible patience as GRACE developed. Every hour our son has spent in front of the computer is time she has spent picking up the slack by caring for the children and tending to the things in the household that have needed to be done. She does not do this for credit or accolades, but her efforts and dedication allow it to happen. Many other wives and mothers would have pulled the plug on his laptop by now, but she shares the belief that she can help serve the larger community.
So here is a tribute to you, Wendy, in honor of everything you do. Happy 40th birthday, and we hope to share many more.
With much love,
Harvey and Carol West
On behalf of my family, this tribute honors my mom\'s oncologist, Dr. Macapinlac. We found that a great oncologist delivers far more than just chemotherapy.
At a time when my family, (any family) needs words of knowledge and comfort Dr. Mac delivered. He is knowledgeable, compassionate, professional, caring -- just a wonderful and good person. We all like Dr. Mac and considered him family. Dr. Macapinlac was a blessing to us during our battle and we are sure he continues to be a blessing in the lives of his patients and their families.
Although the battle for our loved one has ended, we could not have begun to fight and nor sustain the fight without Dr. Mac in our corner. We thank him for all he did for us. Mom especially was pleased Dr. Macapinlac was her doctor. I
This tribute is to honor my husband Eric. He fought such a brave fight, He taught so many how to live, really live! and he never ever gave into the disease, he went on his own terms when he was ready! no treatment was ever to much for him, he faced it all head on and fought so hard up to the last day of his life, he never let the disease win or get him down. He did clinic trails, and kept right on living until it was the right time for him to let go...I will miss him every minute of every day until we meet again.



