Just Breathe

As I stood with the microphone in my hands, about to welcome the crowd, I quickly realized that this sea of people I was addressing has the same love and admiration for my uncle as I do.

My Uncle Donnie (or “Unc” as I call him), a Long Island native, found his home in the Binghamton, New York area as a young teen. It was there he married, raised a family and watched his father fight a difficult 6-month battle with small cell lung cancer 16 years ago. As I welcomed a crowd of more than 400 people to his recent benefit, I was truly humbled by this small town’s reaction to Unc’s diagnosis last October of stage IV small cell lung cancer.

The diversity of the crowd at the benefit was also a testament to the character that is my uncle. From the nuns and other members of the parish he donates his time and efforts to; to the crowd of IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) brothers, where he has been a long-time member of Local 325; to the Harley guys and fellow runners and to the family members we all added to the organized chaos.

It’s almost as though Unc has lived many lives in his 53 years on this planet. His many and varying interests and hobbies have allowed his light to touch the lives of so many, as evident by the event. His ‘health overhaul’ (8 or so years ago) is what has most inspired me. A healthy diet and increased exercise soon had him, a man who once could barely walk due to back surgeries, participating in a local triathlon. He brought life to the thought that “you don’t always have to be who you were.”

Four years ago I fed off this determination, and found some of my own, following his lead and transforming my lifestyle. Soon we were running my first 8K race together, in 18-degree weather, to help raise money for a local food pantry. A year-and-a-half later Mother Nature provided a 98-degree day and another chance to run with Unc in a charity race. It was that stifling July day, when trying to match his pace left me sick and gasping for air, when he said such simple words that gave me strength.

Just breathe, Nic…just breathe

So now I continue his giving spirit, and his healthy lifestyle, by presenting the Just Breathe Virtual 5K/10K in his honor. The virtual run allows anyone and everyone, no matter where they are, to participate and offer support to Unc and all those fighting this battle. All registration proceeds benefit Lung Cancer Alliance, an organization that has already helped our family in so many ways and will no doubt continue that trend.

It was at his benefit, surrounded by twice as many people as expected and twice the love, that I saw just how far reaching Unc’s light shines. He may not have had the ability to attend the event, fighting yet another infection, but his presence was felt by all those who were there. While every day is a new struggle, it is the future that Unc looks forward to the most. Spending time with his five granddaughters, and, most importantly the birth of his first grandson in June. May his own words give him the strength to do so.

Just breathe, Unc…just breathe.

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