Birthdays can be a lot of fun, but some years they are different than others. As I prepare to turn 22 on March 14, I am thinking about my uncle a great deal as I realized when my uncle turned 22 he was in treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Some things can be answered by family who got the privilege of knowing him in person, like what he studied in school and what he wanted to be when he grew up. But other things I will never know, like what his voice really sounded like or what it would be like to share a birthday month with him. My uncle was born on March 7, 1958 and celebrated only 23 of those birthdays on earth. This year he will be celebrating his 61^st birthday, just not physically with us.

I have been asked why I always say things like his physical death and refer to him primarily in the first person. That is because I still believe my uncle is with me. Just like I believe his parents, my grandparents, are still with me after their deaths. This belief has been confirmed for me through the last couple of months running this campaign when I have felt their guidance and presence. It is hard to explain to people feeling so connected to someone you have never met, but that is what family is. The fact I will never met my uncle personally and get to wish him a Happy Birthday to his face is one of the hardest truths of my life. I am so grateful for this campaign though, because I get to wish him a Happy Birthday with all of you. To celebrate Kevin’s 61^st birthday I am asking people to donate a form of 23 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for the 23 years Kevin spent on earth. My uncle valued helping others and public service above all and felt strongly about finding a cure for cancer and helping those impacted. I am also asking people share memories of my uncle if they have them using the hashtag #23forKRB so we can all remember him and honor him together.

Thank you for helping me honor my uncle, and my whole family, through Kevin’s birthday and this whole campaign. There are not words to put to the gratitude I have for the love and support you have all shown and I know that Kevin as well as his parents, Sue and Bob, would be so grateful for you all.

From the bottom of my heart – thank you.

Love,

Clare

Hello!

Welcome to my website for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s 2019 Collegiate of the Year campaign. This is a program where full-time college students in the Northern Ohio region are raising money for LLS. The money goes to advancing cancer treatment research, supporting local patients and families and raising awareness about blood cancers.

I chose to run in the Collegiate of the Year program because I believe that everyone should get to meet their heroes. This year, all candidates are running in honor of two local children, Maja (age 5) and Jack (age 8), who are both cancer survivors. Maja and Jack are truly heroes and should be given the opportunity to grow up and meet their heroes as well as everyone who considers them heroes.

My family and I know what it’s like to lose a hero to cancer. My uncle, Kevin Bowen, was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 21. He fought his cancer courageously until age 23 when he passed away. In the 23 years he was physically alive, my Uncle Kevin changed countless lives and continues to do so even after his physical death. My uncle is one of my heroes; through stories of him I have learned what it means to always think of how to help others, to live life fully, and to embrace what you are passionate about.

Being able to honor my uncle and family this way means the world to me. I am so grateful that I have gotten to learn about my uncle throughout my life and through this campaign I get to hear more stories and know him either better. I am so thankful to have an amazing team of 11 women and an incredible family helping me to honor my uncle and raise money for this amazing organization. And I am so grateful for YOU. For you taking the time to read this story, to be willing to help honor Kevin and save lives. Thank you for your support, love and the hope you are providing to countless patients and families.

If you are able to donate, please do. Any donation over $10 will receive a receipt for your taxes. If you would like to buy ads or tickets to the grand finale, have items you would like to donate to auction, or know of a company who would like to sponsor this campaign and LLS, please let me know. Most of all, please spread the word and provide hope to those who need it most.

From the bottom of my heart – thank you.

Love,

Clare