What makes a hero?

[Donor]

It was both an honour and a privilege for me to spend all day yesterday in the company of a young girl, aged 10 or 11 who I would call a hero.

She has never run into a burning building to save kittens, she's not campaigning to have whales outlawed thus saving depleted krill stocks, never run around with a cape on nor worn underwear outside her clothing.

She hasn't gone to 3rd world countries to broker peace, never shot a gazillion bad guys with a 6 shooter without reloading to save a bus load of Albanian nuns from crazed guerillas.

...and no folks, she has NEVER gone 'NEDWN!

Here's what she HAS done.

1) Raised over $500 for Child Cancer research through making and selling bead bracelets and keychains.

2) Raised awareness of child cancer through educating peers and adults.

3) Accepted the fact she is dying, and made her family comfortable in the little time she has left.

I spent some time at the end of the day sitting with her, talking about Myeloid Leukaemia and hearing this beautiful young girl tell me matter of factly what will happen to her, and how she plans to fight like buggery in the vain and probably futile hope she will make it to remission one more time. I watched her proudly display her bracelets and key chains - all beautiful and reluctantly declined a freebie as I didn't have $3 on me and frankly she needs to sell as many of these things as she can.

I did give her a gift - my lucky ambulance shears, the scissors she had were going blunt and ask any ambo, those shears will go through damn near anything. The smile I got will be with me for a very long time.

I got home this evening after a night in Palmy and sat watching my two boys (2 and 5) and you know, I can only hope that they grow up to be as strong as that little girl. If more kids could be as well grounded then we'd all be in a much happier place.

I hugged my boys and cried. Those of us that have kids who will live to be adults are the luckiest people in the world, and thank God we have heroes in our midst...

[janno]

Have a big problem with sportsmen being described as "heroes", especially the ones who fall in to believing their own hype.

Have much respect for people like your young friend being described as such.

My Mum lived with MS for 20 years before she died of it. Took far more courage than fighting a war, according to her brother who was in the French Foreign Legion for five years.

So I know a little of the mindset you are describing. Humbling.

[Hitcher]

Cancer always seems worse when it affects kids. Nobody deserves cancer, particularly people who have yet to really live and experience all life can offer. Canteen is one of the three charities I support.

A work colleague of mine lost his 12-year-old daughter yesterday to brain cancer. He is shattered and wracked with grief. I cannot imagine what is in his heart or mind.

[NZsarge]

Cancer always seems worse when it affects kids. Nobody deserves cancer, particularly people who have yet to really live and experience all life can offer. Canteen is one of the three charities I support.

A work colleague of mine lost his 12-year-old daughter yesterday to brain cancer. He is shattered and wracked with grief. I cannot imagine what is in his heart or mind.

Sorry to hear about your colleagues daughter, can't begin to understand how that family is feeling. Condolences.

[Grahameeboy]

Good one Donor.......life is fragile and we don't often realise that until we have experiences like yours.

Nats has what is basically a terminal muscular disorder.......she is fragile and even at 4 she knows the that she is different but it does not matter to her.

I asked her the other day whether she was bothered that she could not dance or walk..she said "No Daddy", I asked her if she wished she could walk and she said "No Daddy because I have my wheelchair"

How these kids have a profound sense of things at such a young age is a real jerker eh?

Like you say Donor, makes you appreciate your own kids more eh?

Bling to you.

[Paul in NZ]

Cancer always seems worse when it affects kids. Nobody deserves cancer, particularly people who have yet to really live and experience all life can offer. Canteen is one of the three charities I support.

A work colleague of mine lost his 12-year-old daughter yesterday to brain cancer. He is shattered and wracked with grief. I cannot imagine what is in his heart or mind.

What is a hero without love for mankind. ~ Doris Lessing ~

Ahh fuck (and thats a word I reserve for special occasions)... No parent deserves that.... There is nothing worse... Brett - for what its worth that child in in our thoughts...

Don't waste your life on anger folks. There is just so much humanity in life - wallow in it....

[kevfromcoro]

sad story donor...how about selling those chains on here..i mean i dont need a chain ..but iam sure a lot of us wouldnt mind giving a bit of a donation..... for a good cause..........come on bros...... couple of bucks each

[Donor]

sad story donor...how about selling those chains on here..i mean i dont need a chain ..but iam sure a lot of us wouldnt mind giving a bit of a donation..... for a good cause..........come on bros...... couple of bucks each

I thought about it, but the capacity in which I was with her was a professional one, and I'm not sure about the ethics of contacting the family outside my role.

I'd probably suggest you contact CanTeen and arrange a donation, or just look out for bandanna's next Bandanna Day and buy one or two... perhaps make it regional ride day and have mass KB head shavings?

Hell, I'd auction off my head and legs for shaving/waxing to the highest bidder if there was enough interest (be a pretty steep reserve though!)

[Skyryder]

Got me thinking about the people who get themselves on the honours list. Seems to me that this little lady should have been there instead of some of the tossers who get 'honoured' just for doing their job.

Good post donour and best wishes for the 'hero.'

Skyryder

[kevfromcoro]

I thought about it, but the capacity in which I was with her was a professional one, and I'm not sure about the ethics of contacting the family outside my role.

I'd probably suggest you contact CanTeen and arrange a donation, or just look out for bandanna's next Bandanna Day and buy one or two... perhaps make it regional ride day and have mass KB head shavings?

Hell, I'd auction off my head and legs for shaving/waxing to the highest bidder if there was enough interest (be a pretty steep reserve though!)

iam not to sure how to go about this.....lets let the thread run for a while..iam sure someone will know how to set it up........shave your head...shit iam bald allready......better start growing my hair...

[Donor]

iam not to sure how to go about this.....lets let the thread run for a while..iam sure someone will know how to set it up........shave your head...shit iam bald allready......better start growing my hair...

Of course someone will be able to organise something... that's why we have women dammit... Gods gift to organising!

Any takers for coordinator?

[Winston001]

Thanks Donor for the reminder of how much good and strength there is in the world of quiet decent people.

[cowboy]

Yip shes my kind of hero: yes:
Thanks for reminding us to appreciate what we have

[mbazza]

Thanks for allowing us all in to consider heroes and this one child's story. Wish her well and acknowledge your kids are highly precious.
Makes me wonder why we, the motorcycle community don't band together to ride and raise some dollar for child cancer research!
I presume we all ride because of the one thing, 'fun'. We could use this one concept to get ourselves and the caged community to empty some moey into the greatly needed reasearch coffers.
Some activity ideas:
Most scooters / Ducaties / Harley''s / Suzuki's etc on a ride, sponsorship arranged by each rider.
Riders approach others to sponsor each km of their daily commute, eg: sponsored ride on a particular Friday, the aim is to donate the dollar value of your commute to child cancer research.
What are your ideas? Can we work together as a community to help 'Donor's wee hero and the cause she has dear to her heart?
Are you a interested? What ideas can you come up with?

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Of course someone will be able to organise something... that's why we have women dammit... Gods gift to organising!

Any takers for coordinator?

They done a doco on that little girl well if it's the same one. This is very touching and i would be more than happy to coordinate. If you are able to give me any information would help. But will also contact canteen and see if they can give me any information.