Light the Night for Sheila Barnett

A few days ago, a friend sent me the email below, and I don't think I could tell the story any better, so I am sharing the exact words she sent me. Please pass along this story and donate if you can. Let's help Sheila Barnett feel the love and exceed her fundraising goals for this upcoming walk.

Family and Friends,

Please take a minute to hear about a cause that is near to my heart, and especially to a dear friend of mine, Sheila Barnett. My hospital (Presbyterian in Charlotte) is sponsoring a Light the Night event to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I am asking if you would please consider making a donation in honor of my friend, Sheila Barnett in her personal walk for this cause. Some of you may have heard her story from me, but if not you will not forget it.

Sheila lost not one child, but all three of her adult children to (AML) Acute Myeloid Leukemia in a span of 3 years. In the video link below, Sheila briefly tells her story, but says she was disappointed with the editing. The interview took over an hour in which she endured an anxiety attack and stopped to sob several times. She told me afterwards that she cannot believe she allowed herself to say, "I don't know how things could be any worse," because she fears they can. Sheila remains terrified and prays every night that her two surviving grandchildren will never develop AML considering the strong family history. All 3 of Sheila's children's birthdays and death anniversaries fall in September and October. This Light the Night walk is not only in memory of her 3 children, but being on October 22 also ends another year of this most difficult time of remembrance.

I have known Sheila since her daughter Amanda's death, and I cannot tell you how unbelievable this woman is. She has firmly stood her ground in this fight, and as angry as she may be at times, maintains faith that she has a reason to live. Sheila still works at Presbyterian Hospital where 2 of her 3 children died, as a guest services specialist. 

Chances are, if you come to the hospital, she would be the one to greet you and help you get where you need to be. Although she has been through an unbelievable ordeal, her passion is working in the cancer center, and sharing a compassion that only she can give.

Please watch the video, and consider making a donation to Sheila's page. If you are unable to make a donation, please pray for Sheila during this difficult time of year.

Click here to watch Sheila's video.

Click here to make a donation.

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Man in the Red Bandanna

The narration for this video begins with these words: "What would you do in the last hour of your life? Where would you be? Who would remember?"

Welles Crowther's last hour was spent rescuing people in the South Tower of the World Trade Center, ten years ago on September 11, 2001. An equities trader on the South Tower's 104th floor, Crowther helped dozens of people to safety on September 11. Their stories of his efforts, his compassion, and his strength have left behind a beautiful legacy for a man who lived an honorable life, and died a hero.

His body was found in March 2002, alongside several firefighters and emergency workers in a suspected command post in the South Tower lobby.

Welles' mother received one final phone call from her son on September 11, soon after United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower. He called to let her know he was OK. After that, she and her husband never heard from him again, and had it not been for a a New York Times article, they might never have known how Welles spent his last hour.

He spent that last hour saving lives, selflessly risking his own life and safety. His story is beautifully told in this video. Take a few moments and watch this video today, and pay tribute to a young man who died as he lived...with honor.

Read more about Welles Crowther, his heroism and his legacy:

CNN: America Remembers: Welles Crowther

The Crowther Trust

Welles Remy Crowther Red Bandanna Run

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