Michael Manning: May is National Brain Tumor Awareness Month!

Today, more than ever, progress is being made in laboratories and hospitals throughout the United States and, indeed, throughout the world--24 hours a day--to save the lives of patients who have received a diagnosis of a cancerous brain tumor.?I have?personal friends of mine who are brain cancer survivors. They have dealt with their share of naysayers, and they have brushed aside those who have thrown doubt in their paths to?boldly continue on and?become a source of?encouragement to others facing a similar?diagnosis. When a diagnosis of a brain tumor is given to an adult, we are shocked. However, when a similar diagnosis is given to a child, I suggest that we are "shocked into action".?For some, it is easier to brush aside such news because it reminds us of our own mortality, and I understand this human reaction.? But for those of us who are healthy, we have a choice to either "react" or to "respond". My personal choice has been?to respond. Sometimes I've experienced victories and other times I've fallen short. But the important point is to never give up.

On this blog page, one of the more curious images?that I display and receive thoughtful emails about is the rotating badge from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It's located along the right-hand margin of this page as you scroll down. St. Jude?is where Trevor Tredaway receives his medical care and treatments.

Trevor with his sister, Morgan

Over the years, good people have come forward to meet Trevor and they are invariably tickled, their hearts are warmed, and their arms open wide to this little boy and to the possibilities they have to help with their gifts, their talents and their offerings of the heart. It begins with listening, then from listening, the words that we hear travel?to our heart, and from our heart we are moved to action. A thoughtful word.?Prayers. A look at the St. Jude website (accessible by clicking onto that rotating badge I just mentioned), a visit to Trevor's Caringbridge site (listed on my blogroll) or his mother, Melinda's Facebook Page for updates on his progress. Yes, this is action. What happens in between all of these things??I believe I have an answer.?People's hearts are accessed and?from there, the possibilities?are endless. Above all, there is HOPE. When?Hope springs into action, doors previously thought to be slammed shut are suddenly sprung open! So, the focus of this brief blog post is to ask ourselves "What can we do to help encourage?Trevor and others who need our supportiveness?" Many times, the possibilities come during a meeting with friends over coffee, a barbeque or a visit to discuss ideas with nothing more complicated then a pad of paper and a pencil. What I?endeavor to do today is to encourage you in this direction.?Shoot me an email on my Contact Page and let's see what we come up with! How?hard is this? You never know what event or project we might come up with to deliver HOPE. Because HOPE is crucial.??This has been a particularly challenging month for me to come up with new?ideas for blog subjects.?I have to admit, that my creative well has been a bit dry these days. I enjoy making people laugh, think or otherwise feel inspired. Easier said than done sometimes!?

In fact, the?very first blog post I wrote was?a true story?about?a memorable date I had years ago. After kissing a young lady good night, I accidentally walked into one of those cast iron parking meters along a curb! Readers had a field day with that post, and I can only hope that?homes all over the blogosphere were filled with an uproar of laughter!?Today's subject?is different. Let's see how we can "break the mold" and make a difference. I think it's worth it.

Have a nice weekend!
Michael???

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