'Pay-it-Forward' Transplants

Several people from the Chicago area have stepped up to help complete strangers. They're donating their kidneys to people they don't know as a way to 'Pay-it-Forward'.

The kindness of these people has helped Loyola Medical Center launch the Pay-it-Forward Kidney Transplant Program. It's the first of its kind in the Midwest.

Here's how it works: If I want to donate a kidney to my friend but I'm not compatible, I can donate it to someone else. Then that person's incompatible donor agrees to give a kidney to a third person..and the chain builds from there! Medical professionals are hoping this new approach leads to more kidney donations in the future.

Yesterday, some of the transplant recipients involved in the Loyola chain met their donors for the first time at the medical center in Maywood. Many Chicago news agencies were there covering the story. The CBS version by Jim Williams is my favorite! You can watch the story at the link below. I've listed links to the others below it:

CBS 2: Kidney Transplant Chain May Save Dozens of Lives

NBC 5: "Donor Chains" a Radical Change to Kidney Donation

ABC 7: Loyola hosts 1st Illinois kidney transplant chain

WGN TV: Four Chicagoland residents donate kidneys to strangers

CHICAGO TRIBUNE: 5 good Samaritans start chains of life

CHICAGO SUN TIMES: Four strangers become saviors

Pi, Donors & Sweety High!

**SUBURBAN LIFE: Bryan Student wins Pi reciting contest**

OK, so most people know Pi as 3.14. But do you know the rest of it? An eighth grader in Elmhurst knows the next 370 numbers! She just won a contest at her Middle School by memorizing all of those digits! I can barely remember phone numbers anymore, let alone 370 digits of Pi! Pretty impressive! Think you can memorize more? Here are the first MILLION digits of Pi...give it a shot;)

**NEIGHBORHOOD STAR: It was just a miracle**

A Tinley Park woman has her full sight back thanks to a cornea transplant. The mother of five began losing her sight quickly due to rare genetic eye disorder. Then she received tissue from two donors that would help her see again. Here's what she told reporter Mary Paleologos about being the recipient of the amazing gift of sight:

"When I got the first letter from the donor's family, I opened it up and learned about the person that they loved so deeply. I was so overwhelmed that at their deepest hour of grief, they were willing to give, and give so freely. I feel honored and blessed. I'm very protective of my eyes because a loving family entrusted them with me."

March is eye donor month! Get more information at Illinois Eye Bank

**TIMEOUT CHICAGO: Ain't She Sweet**

There's a new social media site on the web designed specifically for preteen girls! A woman who grew up in Lincoln Park launched it about a month ago. She started Sweety High so girls would have a safe place to be themselves online.

There are lots of safeguards in place-- girls have to enter the last four digits of their social security number to prove they're between 9 and 13 and there are parental controls in place as well. In addition to all the fun features, the site also teaches the girls about cyberbullying and online etiquette. It's so nice to see something geared toward younger people that's appropriate for their age group!

Check out a Q&A with the creator of the site: Time Out Chicago

Deserving of Dream Wedding

NBC 5: Paralyzed Cop in Running for Dream Wedding

A Chicago police officer and his wife are hoping to get a do-over and have the wedding of their dreams. The two were married in a quick ceremony at Hinsdale Hospital just after the officer was in a serious car accident. He was responding to a call when a car crashed into his, breaking his neck. To make matters worse, two men then stole his wallet and weapon while he was still in the vehicle.

The accident pushed the officer to commit his love to his girlfriend and they got married right at the hospital. Now they're hoping Crate & Barrel will help them plan the wedding they've always wanted. The company is having a contest and the winner gets a dream wedding. You can help this deserving couple win by voting for them here: Crate & Barrel Contest

Check out the story by NBC 5:

Get Inspired by Nature!

National Geographic's Crittercam exhibit is leaving Chicago soon! If you haven't seen it yet, head to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum to check it out.

The exhibit highlights video of animals in their own environments without human interference. The video is captured by cameras worn safely by the animals themselves.

You can see how sea lions hunt and care for their young, learn what penguins do beneath the ice and even meet the museums own box turtle who wears a Crittercam. It's a great experience for kids and adults!

Check out this National Geographic video describing what the Crittercam is all about:

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
2430 N Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL

$9 adult
$6 children 3-12
$7 seniors and students

**Exhibit runs through April 11**

Improving Life in Zambia

The Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise is really helping improve life at a village in Zambia. An article in the Fox Valley Villages Sun talks about everything the group has done for the village. With donations, members have helped Zambians get access to clean water. They're also helping improve schools and education.

Members of the club are working hard to help strangers across the world live a better life. Their kindness is inspiring!

There's a video on the rotary club's website that shows some of its work in Zambia. It starts around 1:50:

A Perfect Bracket & More!

**NAPERVILLE SUN: Crowd watches Lysacek,
Raises cash**

Evan Lysacek made his Dancing With The Stars debut Monday night. As he danced, the gold medal winner had about 100 fans cheering him on back home in Naperville. Lysacek's fans also raised money that night for the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. They collected about $2,000 to help low income families participate in YMCA programs.

**WGN: Man donates kidney to Jewel-Osco cashier**

Another story today about a man who's donating a kidney to a stranger! Watch this one below:

**NBC 5: Autistic Teen Picks First Two NCAA Rounds Perfectly**

Dick Johnson covered a neat story for NBC about an autistic teenager from Glenbrook South High School who has a perfect NCAA bracket so far! Crazy with all the upsets we've seen!  NBC doesn't  have the full video story up, but there is this video of the teen describing how he made his picks:

People Helping Others

**THE HERALD-NEWS: Couple lives through ordeal to help another**

After a construction accident, doctors didn't know if Jeff Ftacek would survive. Well he did...and while he was in therapy, him and his wife learned the secretary of the facility needed a kidney transplant. Jeff decided to donate his to the woman!

This is a wonderfully written story by Stewart Warren. A must read!! Here's what Jeff told Warren about his decision:

"I just had this feeling that I was saved from my accident for a reason, and I went to Provena for a reason. You know, everything happens for a reason," Jeff said. "That's the way I look at it."

**CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Stroke can't keep single father
from trying to care for son**

Dawn Turner Trice tells the story of a father who's down on his luck. He's homeless and raising his son on his own. On top of that, he recently suffered a stroke. But he's never given up. Read about how people are helping him and how he's pushing himself to recover so he can be there for his son.

**CBS 2 : Viewers Give Girl The Gift of Hearing**

This 10-year-old girl lost some of her vision and hearing after suffering brain damage. CBS 2 aired a story about the little girl last week (WATCH HERE). Since then, viewers have stepped up to help. The owners of a hearing center are giving her free hearing aids and follow up care. Watch the heart-warming follow up here!

Helping Grieving Children

An organization that started in Chicago is helping make a difference across the United States and in 16 other countries. A Chicago mom started Rainbows in 1983 as a small pilot program to help children grieving over the loss of a parent through death, divorce or separation. Her vision has now helped serve more than 2 million children.


When Suzy Yehl Marta (pictured to the left) and her husband divorced, she was worried about her three children. "Everyone assured me the boys were fine; that kids were resilient and they'd bounce back," says Marta. But she soon learned the boys weren't alright. They were suddenly getting in fights, shoplifting and getting bad grades at school. She knew they were hurting because of the divorce.

Marta had trouble finding the boys the guidance they needed, so she decided to take action. She created Rainbows so children like hers would have a place to grieve. "Adults rely on life experience to cope with loss and crises. Youth don't have that kind of resource to call upon and they need help resolving these issues," says Marta.

The program hopes to keep kids out of gangs and away from drugs and alchohol, by teaching them how to cope with their grief and manage their anger and suffering.


Marta's boys benefited from the program, and after remarrying, her step-daughter did too.  Katie Marta's (pictured to the right) parent's divorced when she was just six years old.  Her father later married Suzy, and that's when she was introduced to Rainbows.  

Katie joined the group in grade school and it helped show her she wasn't alone.  "As I became more comfortable with the group, I was able to share more, ask questions and hear from others, so I understood that whatever I felt was OK and that I wasn't the only one going through this," says Katie.  

Katie says that some of the lessons she learned in Rainbows still stay with her today.  "I'm a lot better at recognizing my feelings and being able to express myself.  I also understand that there isn't a timetable for grief and if it takes me longer than usual to open up about a particular experience, I know that's okay."

Today, Katie is still involved with the group.  In fact, she just helped launch a Young Professionals Board for Rainbows.  The goal is to help spread awareness and increase fundraising for the organization.  

It's inspiring to see both Suzy and Katie Marta put their hearts into a cause they truly believe in.  Their work is helping children across the world make better lives for themselves.  

**If you know a child who may benefit from Rainbows, you can find more information here. 

**Rainbows is holding a fundraiser on Sunday, April 25 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Find more information on the event here

NCAA, Shani Davis & More!

**SUBURBAN LIFE: Hometown talent tips off in NCAA tourneys**

Do you want to see all the local basketball players who made it to the big stage this year? The Suburban Life has a write up of all the Men and Women from the Chicago area participating in the NCAA tournament!

**SUN TIMES: Warm welcome for speedskating champ**

Shani Davis fans got a chance to meet the gold medalist last night at the Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston. That's where Davis started training when he was just 6 years old. The Sun Times article shares the advice Davis gave the crowd:

"If you work hard and believe in yourself and love what you do, you'll get rewarded for it."

**WGN: 85-year-old college student working on second degree**

A Calument City native is still hitting the books at 85 years old! Willa Hughes dropped out of Calumet College when she was younger so that she could work to support her children. 40 years later, she went back to finish her degree. She got it...and now she's working on a second one!  You can watch the inspiring Willa Hughes in this WGN video:

 

Undercover Boss

Have you seen the CBS show "Undercover Boss"? If not, the basic idea is that the CEO of a big company goes undercover to see what's happening in the company. This week, the head honcho of Churchill Downs went undercover. He visited the track in Arlington Heights where he met a worker named Kenny. Kenny tells the "undercover boss" about his daughter, Meghan, who passed away at 20-years-old due to a heart defect:

After the big reveal at the end, the boss offers to name an opening day race after Meghan. So touching to see Kenny's reaction:

Racing starts April 29th! I look forward to hearing about Meghan's race at Arlington Park:)

MusicCares & FoodTaxi

**SUN TIMES: MusicCares offers free dental screenings for musicians**

About two dozen musicians in Chicago recently got their teeth cleaned and checked free of charge. An organization called MusicCares provided the service for musicians who lack dental insurance and health care.

"This is huge," said Jacobs, 43, whose primary source of income is delivering the Chicago Reader newspaper. "The vast majority of people in the music industry -- at the level I know -- have no money and no insurance."

**NORTH SHORE MAGAZINE: Delivery Man**

An 18-year-old from Glencoe is running his own business to help feed the hungry. Daniel Rissman is a senior at New Trier High School and the founder of FoodTaxi. It's a company that picks up unused baked goods from local stores and delivers them to shelters.

Sled Hockey in Chicago

The Chicago News Cooperative has a neat story about the #1 sled hockey team in the world, which is right here in Chicago! The sport allows disabled athletes to play hockey by using poles and hockey sticks to move themselves across the ice on metal sleds.

Earlier this month, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Blackhawks defended the Wirtz World Cup on the ice. Check out this video by Eleanor Goldberg:

Pets, Blankets & White House

**Sun Times: 3 years later, dog came back**

A Riverside family's dog was just found 3 years after it went missing! Animal Control grabbed Butch on a porch in Gary, IN (about 40 miles from Riverside!). He's now with his original family, thanks to the embedded microchip!

**FOX: Blankets for Those in Need**

Students at Aurora University came together to tie up 80 fleece blankets for kids in need. They do it annually for Project Linus. It's a national non-profit that provides new blankets to kids in hospitals and homeless shelters. Here's the story with photos:

**Lincoln Way Sun: Blessed Bonds**

A non profit in Palos Park is helping animal owners stay close to their pets during these rough economic times. Many people who have lost their jobs are finding it necessary to sadly give up their pets. Blessed Bonds will help so that people don't have to turn their pets over to shelters. The organization provides short-term foster care so you can be reunited with your pet when you're able.

**ABC 7: Chicago area students get White House internships**

ABC 7 talks to several Chicago area students who are interning at the White House. Each year, 100 students are chosen for the internship...what an honor! Check out the video here!

Accidental Lessons

With the help of the Chicago Writer's Association, I've gotten in touch with several local authors who have written inspiring books. I thought it would be fun to highlight their work here and have them answer some questions about what they wrote. So to kick it all off... meet David Berner!


As a successful journalist, David Berner worked for many networks including CBS, ABC, CNN and NPR. He interviewed the likes of Ted Kennedy, Bill Gates and Jimmy Carter. But he wasn't happy. So he gave it all up and took a job teaching at a low income middle school in East Aurora. In his book, Accidental Lessons: A Memoir of a Rookie Teacher and a Life Renewed, Berner takes you through his journey of self discovery. Berner now lives in Naperville and teaches journalism at Columbia College in Chicago.





I just read Accidental Lessons and really enjoyed it. It really makes you stop and think about whether you're doing something that truly makes you happy. I spoke with the author, David Berner, on the phone about his book. Here are excerpts from our conversation:

INSPIREme: You worked as a radio journalist for major networks and had the opportunity to interview many famous people. Then you left that to teach at a low income school in East Aurora. Do people ever tell you you're crazy?

BERNER: I don't know if I had anybody tell me I was crazy. I think a number of people I was close with in the business for a long time, who are still well known names in town... I think I expressed to them over several years of doing this that I was disenchanted with the business. And that I found it to not be anything like it used to be and not terribly ethical either. It was wearing on me for several years. So that fact that I said, 'Hey I'm not going to do this anymore, I'm going to do something else,' really didn't shake up a lot of people. So no, I don't think anyone thought I was crazy. However, my kids may think that!

INSPIREme: You obviously did it for a reason. You weren't happy. In the book, you talk about how your wife would ask you, 'What's going to make you happy?' You couldn't give her an answer at the time. Do you know how to answer that question now?

BERNER: Yeah. I've kind of figured out what's going to make me happy. I probably should have been in education a long time ago. I really liked what I was doing in broadcasting for such a long time and was making such good money that it was hard to walk away from. Even though I wasn't happy, I kind of sucked it up and did what I had to do. And certainly with a young family, just felt like I had to. But it really wore on my marriage and wore on me. Marie, my wife at the time, would always say, 'You've gotta do something. I don't care what you do. Go do something'. I must have been a real pain in the ass. But now when I talk to her about it she kind of sees that I've figured it out over time. And I don't think my story is terribly unique. And I think that's one of the appealing things about the book for people. This is not a story about a guy who swims the Mediterranean or some fantastic memoir about somebody who travels by train from China. This is about any of us who are trying to figure out what their life's work is supposed to be.

INSPIREme: You talk to your current journalism students about "going deep" when telling stories. You write the same thing about life: 'You can't live your life on the surface. You have to strap on the air tank and dive in if you want to discover what you're all about'. When a student asks if you've "gone deep" you don't respond. What would you say to that student today?

BERNER: I don't think I'd give him all the details. It might bore him!

INSPIREme: You'd say buy the book?

BERNER: Yeah. Buy the book...ha. No, but you have to get roughed up a little bit. I really think that you have to get scars and bumps and bruises. It sounds so cliche sometimes, but the journey really is the process. There is no end. We're not supposed to be 70 years old and say, I've done everything I'm supposed to do. You can do things at 70. The concept of a bucket list seems silly. To me, it's about the journey. It's not about filling the bucket. It's about holding onto the bucket and walking along with it. I'd tell him to experience as much as you possibly can. The stuff that's good and bad is what's going to make you who you are. And I'd tell him not live your life on the surface. Don't be afraid to get hurt, don't be afraid to have your heart broken, to make a mistake, or to take a job that a year later you're going to hate. Because it's all going to help you get wherever you're supposed to be.

INSPIREme: Were you surprised that students at a middle school could teach you so much about yourself?

BERNER: Yeah, I guess I was surprised. I guess what it comes down to is, we are who we are through a reflection of other people. I can tell you what I think I am, but truly what I am is how I'm reflected through your eyes. And these kids sort of held up a mirror to me. They were challenging me enough to not only hopefully help them but to help me. I didn't expect that. I didn't expect they would give me so much. A lot of teachers I know who go into schools like that get burnt out, leave immediately and see it as a horrible experience. I didn't see it as a horrible experience. I saw it as a life changing experience. I was making shit money and it was very difficult, but in the end it was the right thing for me at the right time.

INSPIREme: What would you say to someone who's in a job that's just not making them happy?

BERNER: Take the risk. I know it's really hard to say that in this economy. But don't worry about the money. It will come. Now yeah, if you've got kids at home and your wife's not working and you say, 'I'm gonna drop this $100,000 job and go be a teacher for $20,000,' well I don't know. But if you can swing it, take the risk. The risk is worth it. And some people might think I'm absolutely crazy for saying that, but I do firmly believe it.

Find the book online at Barnes & Noble or at Amazon!

"You make your way through a long series of emotions, events, and encounters, each changing you a little, chipping away at the old you and building a new one, sometimes delicately, sometimes with brute force and recklessness. It's a continual reinvention of the core of your life, a necessary journey."

Caring, Diski & Rube Goldberg!

**CBS 2: Chicagoans Step Up For Teen Transplant Candidate**

CBS 2 ran a story at the beginning of the month about a homeless girl in need of a lung transplant. After the story aired, a Chicago businessman stepped up to help. He's offered to pay her rent for a year so she can recover after surgery. Click here to watch the emotional story

**Sun Times: 4 Local Teens earn trip to South Africa to Perform Diski**

Four high school students from Chicago were chosen to travel to South Africa to teach and perform the Diski. South African Tourism chose the students after they performed at a Chicago Fire game to promote the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The students were performing with the Joffrey Ballet Step-Up Program.

Want to know what the Diski is? Check out this South African Tourism video:

**ABC 7: Maine South wins Rube Goldberg Contest**

Argonne National Laboratory held its 15th annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest last week and Maine South High School took home the top prize. Teams had to build a machine that could dispense hand sanitizer in at least 20 steps. The national championships take place at the end of the month at Purdue University.

Speaking of Rube Goldberg Machines, have you seen the latest OK Go music video? It's pretty awesome!

Dyeing of the River

Once a year in Chicago, we get to see our River turn green! If you've never seen it in person, it's a pretty neat sight. All the dye goes in orange and comes out green. Check out the awesome stop motion video by Anthony Stewart Photography to see the river transform:

If you want to see it for yourself, the best place to view the dyeing is around Michigan and Wacker. It happens at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday!

Click here for more information on the dyeing and the parade that follows at noon.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!!!

Kids Saving Lives with 9-1-1

A boy from Antioch will be honored next month by the American Red Cross for being a hero. Last year, 5-year-old Hunter Johnson called 911 when his mother, Sue, fell down with a high fever and couldn't get up. With Hunter's help, the ambulance responded quickly and Sue got the help she needed. You can read the full story at NBC5: Quick-Thinking 5-Year-Old Saves Mom's Life

There was a similar story on the national news yesterday. A 7-year-old from California locked himself in the bathroom with his younger sister while armed robbers held his parents at gunpoint in their home . The young boy called 911 while he was in the bathroom. On the recording, you can hear the intruders breaking into the bathroom, but they fled once they learned the boy had called police. The good news-- no one was harmed! You can listen to the call in the story below:

Some pretty smart kids out there! It's a nice reminder to continue teaching kids how to call 911. There's a good video online made specifically for kids to teach them how to call and what to say. It's called The Great 9-1-1 Adventure!

Making Lemonade

Losing your job in a bad economy is a terrible situation for anyone to be in. But what if you could take that terrible situation and turn it into something positive?

A new documentary called "Lemonade" highlights people who are doing just that. The filmmaker was in Wicker Park last night for a Q&A after a showing of the film at Chopin Theatre.

In "Lemonade", you meet people who all used to have great jobs in the advertising world. After getting let go, they all decided to start over. They took their layoffs as an opportunity to find their calling and follow their dreams.

"It's not a pink slip. It's a blank page."

You can see some of their inspiring stories in the trailer for the movie:

CBS 2 ran a story yesterday about the movie showing. It highlighted a local woman who was in a similar situation. She lost her job and decided to start a blog to share all the kid friendly activities her family enjoys around the Chicago area. It's called On The Go Chicago.

Check out the CBS 2 story by Vince Gersole: Laid Off Americans Make 'Lemonade' Out of Lemons

Do you have a similar story? You can share it with the makers of "Lemonade" by uploading it onto their YouTube Channel.

Who doesn't love flowers?

Flowers can always brighten a gloomy day! So on this foggy, foggy day...I give you flowers!



Chicago's annual Flower & Garden Show is taking place now at Navy Pier. Check it out if you're looking for some creative inspiration!

Here are some of the highlights to watch for:

*Feature Gardens: Here's a look at the gardens you'll see at the show. There are tons of landscaping ideas you can use at your home!

* Potting Parties: You can sign up for a hands on seminar teaching you how to pot plants. To participate, you make a $20 donation to a local charity and you get to keep your creation.

*Garden Gourmet: Chicago's top chefs teach you to cook using natural and home-grown ingredients. Here are all their recipes.

*Kid's Activity Garden: There are lots of fun activities for kids! They can do craft projects, pot their own plants or check out the insect petting zoo.

Here's the promo video they made for the show so you can see what to expect:

Chicago Flower & Garden Show
Navy Pier
March 6-14
Mon-Sat: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sun: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Adult admission: $15 weekdays/ $17 weekends

Local "Good News" Round Up

Here's a round up of some of the "Good News" stories I've seen in the local media over the last week. Some great people highlighted in these stories!! Check them out:

**ABC 7: Urban Prep celebrates college acceptance
Every senior at Englewood's Urban Prep Charter School has been accepted into a four year college. As freshman, many weren't reading at their grade level. Watch them talk about the accomplishment.

**Chicago Tribune: Secret Millionaire donates fortune
A Lake Forest College alum donated $7 million to the college when she passed away. The 100-year-old woman lived in a modest home and bought clothes at rummage sales. Read about the woman who knew real wealth didn't come in the form of money.

**WGN-TV: Roger Ebert: In His Own Words
Watch Dean Richards interview Roger Ebert and his wife at their home on the near North Side. They discuss the new computer program that allows Ebert to "speak" again. The film critic lost his voice after cancer surgery.

**The Courier-News: A Lesson in Giving
Fourth graders at Sheridan Elementary School in Elgin raised $1,700 for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. When the quake struck, the students were learning about the country. Find out how they got the whole school involved in their efforts.

**The Downers Grove Sun: Fire Destroys House but not Family's Spirit

A Downers Grove Mom and her two kids lost their home in a fire this January.  Since then, community members have been donating meals, clothing and money to the family.  They share specific examples in the story, along with their gratitude. 

**Lake County News-Sun: Shaving the way for cancer research

Several people in Lake County shaved their heads to help raise money for cancer research.  One man who buzzed it all off did it for his daughter.  Read about the 4-year-old who was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor last year and her road to recovery.

Using Her Story to Help Others

I recently got to meet the wonderful Abby Sher. She's a Second City alum who just wrote a book about her struggle with OCD and Anorexia. She teamed up with the local non-profit, Erasing the Distance, during Eating Disorders Awareness Week to share her story. Watch how she's courageously using her past to help show others they're not alone:

Information on Abby Sher's new book Amen, Amen, Amen can be found on her website.

Erasing the Distance is a non profit organization in Chicago dedicated to generating increased understanding, compassion and insight around mental health issues. It creates theatrical productions based on the real life stories of people's experience with mental illness. Those productions can be seen throughout the Chicago area in schools, hospitals and workplaces. The goal is to disarm the stigma associated with mental illness and provide support to those in need. Click here to find out more about Erasing the Distance

Story shot and edited by Sarah Jindra

Making Your Home Green

I got a look at the greenest home in Chicago today. It's the newly re-designed Smart Home at the Museum of Science and Industry. It opens to the public tomorrow, March 4. Take a look inside and get inspired to go green:

Learn more about the Smart Home and get tips on how make your home more green: Museum of Science and Industry Smart Home

Story shot and edited by Sarah Jindra

Stories of Hope

Rush University Medical Center is sharing some very uplifting patient stories in an online campaign. What a great idea!

The site, Rush Stories, highlights patients telling their own personal stories.

For example, you can see the story of Dustin, a 7-year-old boy with bone cancer, who was told by another hospital he'd have to have his leg amputated. With the help of doctors at Rush, he beat the cancer and got to keep his leg. You can watch his doctors talk about his innovative surgery and hear from Dustin about his progress. Along with every story, the site has resources for people currently inquiring about similar problems.

Rush spokesperson, Lori Allen, told me they started the campaign about four years ago and just put up some new stories last week.  The goal is to highlight the doctors and procedures at Rush, while providing a resource for prospective patients.  

When you have time, browse through RushStories.org.  It's neat to see how the doctors come up with new ways to heal people.  You'll find many stories of hope!

My Aunt: Survivor & Poet!

My Aunt recently had a poem published in the magazine, Coping with Cancer. So proud of her!! I thought it was really inspirational so I wanted to share it with you. She had thyroid cancer and kicked its butt;)

Check out the poem by my aunt, Mary Jedlicka Humston: To the Atypical Node on My Thyroid

So, you think you can

just come in uninvited

and not be noticed?

You think you can 

attach to one of us

and that we'd not rally?

You think you can

invade our space

and not be ousted?

If you'd come to

co-exist in peace,

we'd have accepted you

like we have with

Fatigue, Arthritis,

Headaches, Menopause,

Plantar fasciitis

and other physical

disruptions to our body.

But, no, not you.

Not a potentially 

cancerous node.

We just won't allow it.

My body and I are prepared.

We'll fight you.

We're at the ready.

We'll go through 

pain and discomfort

to get rid of you.

Hear that?

We're not afraid of you.

If you're here to cause trouble,

then so are we.

There are many other inspirational stories and poems on the Coping with Cancer website. You can see them all under the "Inspiration" headline on the webpage.

It's a great source of hope for anyone fighting cancer or helping a family member through it!