Lauren Hill, 19, died today...

[CarolinaHerdzilla]

Nineteen year old, Lauren Hill died today (04/10/15) in her Indiana town from inoperable brain cancer. She became the poster person in her fight against cancer, helping to raise millions of dollars to help find a cure for this disease that takes the lives of so many.

With the help of the NCAA and various colleges, Lauren scored the first college basketball goal of the season. Too weak to shot right handed, Lauren practiced using her left hand so so could score the basket. You can go to ESPN and watch the tributes to her.

I have lost a brother, my two best Charlotte friends to cancer, and many Kappa Alpha Order brothers to this terrible sickness. I have a nephew that is boldly fighting his daily battle to live. I hate the "C" word and I feel helpless that we can not find a cure.

Each day is precious. Take the time to say...I LOVE YOU to the folks in your relationships. Life can be short.

HerdZilla22 (Gary Sweeney)

This post was edited on 4/10 10:45 AM by CarolinaHerdzilla

This post was edited on 4/10 10:47 AM by CarolinaHerdzilla

 

[whf2]

Her energy and inspiration is certainly going to be missed here in the Cincinnati vicinity. RIP Lauren, you've earned it.

 

[CarolinaHerdzilla]

You are correct....whf2. Parents should NOT have to bury their children. Happens way too often today...it seems. Kids have a lot of "stuff" to deal with opposed to my younger years. At Marshall, we studied hard so we could find the next party or the next pretty lady to chase.

RIP Lauren...You Finished Strong.....

HerdZilla22 (Sweeney)

 

[Herd In the Plains]

Indeed she finished strong, raising over a million dollars in her last months. My wife is a warrior like her. Still fighting 8 years after being told she had stage 4 Multiple Myeloma bone marrow cancer--not curable also. Rods in both femurs, rods in her back and a knee replacement, plus kidneys that have failed and bounced back twice. 10 days on a ventilator to start the year off. She fights back.

 

[whf2]

Prayers to and fire her and the whole family.

 

[BleedsGreen33]

So sad. Prayers for her friends and family.

 

[colianII]

HerdZilla22, what years were you at MU? Sorry to hear about all of the tragedy you have experienced & your comments about KA caught my eye. Also, best of luck to your nephew.

 

[CarolinaHerdzilla]

colianII....like most I have faced tragedy from losing my Dad at age five, therefore, growing up in Fayette Co., West Virginia in a single parent home ------very poor...witnessing a friend get killed on a swinging "monkey" bridge at age 12....losing my soul basketball brother, Ritchie, my senior year in high school to a car crash.....while preparing to go to SE Asia in 1970 the chartered plane "didn't make it home to Huntington from East Carolina", losing my KA little brother, Roger Childers & great friend, Kevin Gilmore from THE 75 crash. Battled 4 years of severe depression (2003---2007), living as a recluse in my bedroom, adding to my failed marriage...however, one night I fell to my knees & asked God to rid me of the demons inside my brain & I would perform acts of kindness each day to help his hurting children. I continue this promise today! Other tragedies like ALL OF US experience builds my resume...

Life never promises us all sunny days....we all "Face Storms in Our Lives"....I choose to dance in the rain.

Fortunately, my senior year of high school (1965)...a lady JRN teacher showed me "I could go to college & Marshall" with academic scholarship aid, bank loans & part time jobs during the school months...it was a struggle with no money from my Mom during my Huntington days....but I graduated in four years (1969), BS Adv/JRN...earned a graduate assistant position in the Page Pitt School of Mass Communications & JRN. (1970).....got drafted in June 1970.....US ARMY [1970-73] & Vietnam Veteran. PROUD Father of THREE great Children & expecting our 9th grand child (a boy) in about five months.

Eric (nephew) fights his Stage 4 battle with Cancer daily.....but he has a strong family, work mates & friends support system....he has made it since being told he has cancer in January 2014...and is doing quite well. Continue to pray for Eric, please.

I will catch grief from several on this board for my expose, however, LIKE MOST with TRAGEDIES....I can now speak about my "dark times" because they have molded me to be a survivor.

Thanks, colianII....for asking! BRING ON THE HERD........

HerdZilla22 (Gary Sweeney) in Charlotte

 

[CarolinaHerdzilla]

Herd in the Plains...PRAYERS your wife's way from Charlotte......Hope she has BETTER DAYS Ahead.....

HerdZilla22 (Sweeney) in Charlotte

This post was edited on 4/12 8:48 PM by CarolinaHerdzilla

 

[Herd In the Plains]

Thanks Sweeney. Sitting here concerned tonight as her oxygen concentration hovers just above 90. She has a Dr apt in the morning. Hope I don't have to take her to emergency room. I have a daughter in Troutman. When I am down sometime maybe we can hook up. We were at Marshall at the same time.

 

[CarolinaHerdzilla]

Plains......my Verizon cell no......704 661 2673.

Hope she gets well soon.

Sweeney

 

[Herd In the Plains]

Took her to er about 10PM my time. Pneumonia, but not real serious, at least for now.

 

[colianII]

Great story for everyone to think about! Thank you for sharing. God Bless & best of luck with that new grandbaby. I hope to meet you one day. Roger was a great person & a good KA brother. Stewie, Nellie, Thumper & a host of other brothers told us all about him. Take care. Hey my son is still in Charlotte as he went to Queens & helped start a KA charter there but it didn't work out. He is working at the Midwood Restaurant but will be leaving in July to come back to WV. He's a big Herd follower so he was raised right! (Lol)