Please support Nico and his annual costume drive to provide new and unused Halloween costumes to sick children at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, Calif. Nico and his family are asking for costumes for ages 6 months to teen, or any Halloween-themed items such as goody bags, decorations, clothing (socks, pajamas, shirts). Gift cards and monetary gifts are also welcomed.

Donations can be dropped off from Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their family business:

C & C Automotive Collision
860 San Mateo Ave.
San Bruno, CA 94066
(650) 873-8372

Nico’s family is asking that all donations be sent by Tuesday, Oct. 25. Items will be delivered to the hospital on Friday, Oct. 28. Click here for more info.

Background

I met Nico when he was six. At the age of five, Nico was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent surgery to remove a 4½-inch brain tumor, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. He had to relearn how to eat and talk while going to the hospital almost every day for treatment.

During this trying time, he had one wish: to dress up as his favorite superhero, Batman, and celebrate his favorite holiday, Halloween. The doctor gave him the green light to take a day off from treatment to go trick-or-treating, but he was still sad. He wanted to spread the spirit of Halloween with his friends in the hospital who were too ill to go out trick-or-treating by getting them costumes and goodie bags, which he has continued to do every year since.

Check out our Parts 1 and 2 of Nico’s story and find out how you can help him save Halloween from the villains (illnesses that are keeping kids from celebrating this year)!

Part 1: ‘6-year-old Boy with Brain Cancer Brings Halloween to Sick Kids’

Part 2: ‘6-Year-Old Halloween Hero Quadruples Goal’

Update: Great news, Nico’s mom Marlene Castro told me he’s in remission!

Nico learned when you give to the world, you get so much more back. Little did he know, he would inspire many other heroes young and old this important life lesson: caring is sharing. Thanks for using your power to help this Halloween!

Onward and upward,
Toan

Follow us: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram.

The post Support Child Cancer Survivor’s Halloween Drive for Hospital Kids appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

We first featured Nico Castro three years ago when he was a very ill 6-year-old. He was recovering from a brain tumor measuring a little more than four inches in diameter. In the throes of his illness — in true superhero fashion — Nico wanted to help others. At the time, Nico was undergoing five days of cancer treatment. His wish was to be Batman for Halloween and go trick-or-treating. But things got tricky and bittersweet when doctors granted him a day off from treatment to enjoy his favorite holiday.

He told his Mom and Dad he was sad because the other kids in the hospital didn’t get to dress up and go trick-or-treating. He wanted to bring the spirit of Halloween to the kids. We got the bat signal and helped him bring Halloween to those kids. Grab a tissue, here’s what happened when we told his story:

The Act

This little Halloween hero with a big heart asked his parents if they could buy costumes and treats for the kids in the cancer ward. “I was sad they wouldn’t have candy,” Nico explained. His mother Marlene and her husband Raul Castro were moved by his thoughtfulness, however, it would be impossible to buy costumes and goodies for the more than 50 sick kids in the hospital. The family took a big financial hit after Nico’s diagnosis.

Nico knows what it feels like to have to sit on the sidelines during the holidays. In November 2011, instead of celebrating, he was in the hospital too ill to take part in the festivities. He was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, cancer of the cerebellum. But during this scary time, all he could think about was if he would be healthy enough to celebrate Halloween.

Nico and his family took action and started a costume drive. At first they received about 20 costumes. This Go Inspire Go story activated more heroes across America:

It’s amazing to see how the community comes together when they’re given a healthy dose of inspiration. After meeting Nico, I quickly realized his superhero power is inspiring people to expand their minds, be more compassionate and to open their hearts. Donations and kind acts poured in, including superhero capes, goodie bags filled with toys, balloons and more. Nico’s efforts resulted in donations more than 200 costumes and about $1,200 in cash.

“We were so surprised from the support outside of our community. The community really came together and packages of costumes are coming from Pennsylvania, Illinois and Texas,” Raul, Nico’s dad said. “The costumes, the little trinkets that the kids in the beds are getting…just an instant and it changes their demeanor and whole attitude about being sick.”

The Ripples

Today, Nico in stable condition and cancer-free. He is coping with the residual effects of the treatment that have affected his cognitive learning. He was pulled out of his school and was put into a special school for students with mild to moderate learning disabilities. Marlene says Nico isn’t happy about being in a different school. “He cried the first day and wants to be back at his regular school with his old friends.” Their goal is to get Nico’s cognitive learning up to speed so he can return to his regular school.

Nico’s mother describes him as having become very empathetic toward other kids who are not the average child as a result of his illness. “He’s very aware of the differences in people,” she said.

Last year, we gifted Nico with a puppy. He and his siblings love Lucky and fight over getting to sleep with him. He’s a calm dog who brings love to their home.

Take Action

Marlene believes in the power of prayer: please pray for Nico’s health and general well-being. “He gets emotional,” Marlene said. “Why did God have to give me cancer? I just want to be Nico, not Nico the cancer patient.”

Raise awareness for childhood cancer and support research to end this horrid disease: Volunteer, share this story, make a donation. Marlene recommendations organizations that give 100 percent of the proceeds to the cause like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Juliana’s Journey Foundation.

Nico continues to collect costumes and Halloween goodies for his goodie bags every year. This year’s 50+ costumes will be delivered to Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center in Santa Clara, Calif.

Marlene is searching for treatment to improve his cognitive learning. Resources she’s found are expensive. If you or anyone you know is a specialist in this field, please email us at info@goinspirego.com — superheroes activate!

Follow us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.

Join our movement & Go Inspire Go…

More Stories About Nico Castro:
Boy, 6, with Brain Cancer Brings Halloween to Sick Kids
6-Year-Old Halloween Hero Quadruples Goal, Brings Holiday Spirit to Sick Kids
Cape Crusaders: Empowering and Honoring Young Superheroes

The post Young Superhero Shares Halloween Spirit with Kids in Hospital (Update) appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

A quick search in one dictionary yielded this hilarious definition. Insert the lol, #smh and #omg here…

hero |ˈhi(ə)rō|
noun (pl. heroes)
A person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities: a war hero.
• the chief male character in a book, play, or movie, who is typically identified with good qualities, and with whom the reader is expected to sympathize.
• (in mythology and folklore) a person of superhuman qualities and often semidivine origin, in particular one of those whose exploits and dealings with the gods were the subject of ancient Greek myths and legends.

I chuckled at the “typically a man” and “male character” part.

The truth is, heroes are among us. We all possess heroic qualities. They’re the gifts that were given to us and come in many forms — through art, sports, talking, etc.

Heroes are ubiquitous. Many of them — or you — don’t even know one exists inside all of us. I recently spent the weekend with more than 150 heroes from kindergartners to adults at our cape-making extravaganza at Kent Middle School in Kentfield, Calif. Because generosity, kindness and helping others never goes out of fashion (neither do capes), we threw a party to make superhero capes for sick kids in the Bay Area.

Through Go Inspire Go, my non-profit, I was fortunate to have found two lead heroines, Kala Shah (my Community Heroes co-founder who piloted the program at her sons’ Sun Valley Elementary School in San Rafael, Calif.) and Melissa Stephens, to plan this big event. Melissa recently joined forces with us to bring the Community Heroes program to Kent Middle School where she teaches. The program helps kids find their inner superhero through service projects. It all starts by inspiring them with Go Inspire Go videos, a splash of excitement, enthusiasm and fun.

Our goal for the cape party was five-fold:

1. Inspire kids to find their power to give back while having fun.
2. Surprise and honor Nico Castro, 8, our Halloween hero.
3. Craft 250 handmade capes in honor of Nico. Capes will go to the two local UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, in San Francisco and Oakland.
4. Inspire viewers to do something nice for others.
5. All of this goodness will be wrapped up in a tester TV/Web pilot show — some networks are interested — stay tuned!

You may remember we featured Nico two years ago when he was a very ill 6-year-old. He was recovering from a brain tumor measuring a little more than four inches in diameter. In the throes of his illness, in true superhero fashion, Nico wanted to help others. At the time, Nico was undergoing five days of cancer treatment. His wish was to be Batman for Halloween and go trick-or-treating. But things got tricky and bittersweet when doctors granted him a day off from treatment to enjoy his favorite holiday.

He told his Mom and Dad he was sad because the other kids in the hospital didn’t get to dress up and go trick-or-treating. We got the bat signal and helped him bring Halloween to those kids. Grab a tissue, here’s what happened when we told his story and produced this story.

Back to the cape party… people came out of the woodwork to cut, glue and design capes. Others wrote cards with encouraging messages and packaged them for delivery. Some brought their talents to entertain the cape-making crusaders.

My friend Michael Ocampo sang a pop version of John Legend’s “All of You,” while Michael Pritchard, local comedian, healer and actor, made the audience laugh and shared the message of how being a true hero means serving others. His message: compassion, love and action — be good to one another.

After three hours of setup and an hour-and-a-half of cape-making, it was time to surprise our little superhero. Nico and his family had been waiting in a holding room and were now being escorted to the cape-making party.

It is said that the energy you put out is the energy that comes back to you. In this case, the energy in the room was vibrating at a frequency that could lift any hero — caped or not — to soaring heights.

As a quick hurrah, I told the kids that it was almost time to surprise Nico. “Everyone in this room is a hero,” I explained, and that as heroes, I asked them to do the following:

1. I signaled them to hold up a peace sign and said, “All heroes bring peace to our community.”
2. I asked them to put their hands over their heart because all heroes love and care and share with others.
3. Finally a fist in the air, because we all have the power — a gift — to do something to help others.

As I finished saying, “Are you ready to meet our little superhero?” the crowd cheered like the audience in an Oprah favorite things episode. “Nico! Nico! Nico!” they chanted.

Pow. Wow. The energy was explosive.

The doors busted open. I gave Nico a big hug. People crowded around us.

“Nico, you know why people are all here?” I asked.
He was dressed as Batman. I could see his little eyes through his mask, taking it all in.

“They’re here because you inspired the superhero in them. They came here today to make capes to honor you and what you did for the kids in the hospital. When you care and share with others, they care and share with you.”

I told him that he was the hardest hero to hook up because in true superhero fashion, everything he wished for was for others instead of for himself.

“So I did some investigating and found out that the cancer and treatment made it harder for you to learn. That’s OK, because when you listen to your heart, it will guide you and you will do the right thing. So, thanks to our friends at LeapFrog, they wanted you to have the LeapPad3, fully loaded with the latest games to make learning easier for you.”

“Wow,” said Nico.

“And, I heard you wanted a puppy, but not for yourself?”

“Yeah,” agreed Nico.

“I heard you wanted a puppy for your dog Willy, so he could have a friend, right? Julian Wolff from The Peninsula Humane Society is here to introduce you to your new puppy, Lucky!”

At this point, we were on cuteness overload! Tears from kids and adults alike rushed down their faces. Tears of joy. Healing, loving, compassionate energy gave us the courage and tingly feeling I imagine superheroes get when they use their power to help.

The thing is, we don’t need a cape or any other materials to make a difference. A hero and everything that comes along with the true definition of the word is already within you. You were born with it.

When you exercise that heart muscle, you too will be guided.

My hope is that in doing so — discovering that hero in you — like Nico, you will give others the permission to see and feel and be the hero you were brought here to be.

Peace. Love. Power to you all!

What will YOU do?

* Special Thanks: Castro family, Peninsula Humane Society, Leap Frog, Kala Shah, Melissa Stephens, Sean Stephens, Kacy Brod, Frank Siebenlist, Peter Shaplen, Chris Hill, Julian Wolff, Paul Miller, Michael Pritchard, Lisa Sandberg, Skip Kniesche, Liz Schott, Priya Patel, Jennifer Schumacher, Jamie Ybarra, Luis Pena-Philippides, Lee Tran, Andrew Sundling, Hoa Tran, Kevin Lee, Barbara Grandvoinet, Mike Ocampo, Rico Corona, Debbi Spungen, Melissa Ament, Rahul Kannan, Dora Wong, Gina Pell, Dave Pell, Gary Tellalian & every superhero who was a part of this event.

* Big shout out to the Salesforce Foundation, which sent employee reinforcements to participate in the event and donated cape materials as well as to the Coca-Cola Foundation, which supplied in-kind donations for the event.

Follow us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

More Stories About Nico Castro:
Boy, 6, with Brain Cancer Brings Halloween to Sick Kids
6-Year-Old Halloween Hero Quadruples Goal, Brings Holiday Spirit to Sick Kids
Young Superhero Shares Halloween Spirit with Kids in Hospital (Update)

The post Cape Crusaders: Empowering and Honoring Young Superheroes appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

If you’ve ever lost a parent, you probably dread Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and any other holiday that reminds you of your loved ones.

I lost my Dad to stomach cancer in 2001. That year was a blur to me as I lost Dad, Auntie and both grandmothers all in about a year’s time. I’m surprised I survived that experience. I hardly remember anything from that time. I can only recollect moving to L.A. to live on a friend’s couch and losing my voice for two months (that’s a big deal, if you know me, I LOVE to talk).

I can’t believe it’s been 13 years since the sadness and sorrow. The only thing worse is the burden of unfinished business with Dad that I too will have to take to my grave one day.

But this Father’s Day, I can finally say that I am at peace with Dad. Thanks to two friends — angels on Earth really — one of whom was a complete stranger who helped me let go of the unsettled business I had with pops.

I met Fiona “Love” Pattison at a castle during my friends Cathy Hue and Julian Shah-Tayler’s wedding in Durham, England. Yes, a real castle — what a fantastic backdrop for our friendship to develop. Our connection was even more magical. I knew she was an evolved soul. I felt like we’ve known each other since we were kids. We connected over storytelling, good deeds and our genuine love of all things artsy fartsy.

She said, “The world needs this now, more than ever. There is a shift happening. What you’re doing with storytelling and social media is really special.” Immediately, she vowed to help with public relations and spread the news of Go Inspire Go in the U.K. She pitched a story, connected me to the talented filmmaker Oli Cohen, and the rest was history. Here’s the story we produced about a fabulous couple who created a Compassionate Tea Movement:

That experience was extra special because so many lovely happenings manifested from our meeting. For the first time, I didn’t carry a camera with me during my travels. I wanted to produce a story about all the compassion that came out of the 2011 London riots before meeting Fiona, but, ironically, I had an accident where hot tea spilled and burned off the first layer of skin on my foot. There was no way I could carry gear and navigate the Tube. It was pure kismet that she pitched the same story and connected me to the interviewees and Oli!

Since this experience, we’ve been spirit siblings. No doubt about it. Connected at a higher vibration and level. Fast forward two years… I had a Go Inspire Go social media photo walk to meet some of our biggest supporters in the San Francisco community.

One viewer and fan, Michael Fullam, asked, “Wow, what do your parents think of your success?” I told him, although I created a global multimedia platform to highlight everyday humanitarians and leverage social media to inspire social change and action, teach multimedia and storytelling at two universities, and share my blogs on the Huffington Post and Intent.com, my mom didn’t really fully comprehend what I do. I replied, “I tell my mom I do stories about people helping people.” She still asks, in her adorable Chinese accent, “Oh, good. You make money yet?”

Michael asked me about my Dad and what he thought about this. I told him my father passed and doesn’t know about what I’m doing. “I’m sure he’s proud of you,” Michael assured me. This made me sad — yet another reminder of one of the last conversations I had with Dad replayed like a bad sitcom rerun in my head.

I told Michael that I quit my first TV reporting job to take care of Dad when I found out he had six months to live. I remember seeing him for the first time after moving back home. He was in the hospital bed. “Hi Dad, how are you?” I asked cautiously. A noisy clock’s second hand was ticking in slow motion. I expected him to embrace me, hug me, tell me he loved me and say he was proud of my accomplishments as a TV reporter. It felt like a smack in the face when he said, “When are you going to be a doctor?” Really? That is the first thing he was going to say to me? UGH! I realized nothing had changed.

The day after Michael asked me about my Dad, Fiona called. We hadn’t talked for about six months. She pinged me on Facebook and said she wanted to tell me something. We jumped on Skype. She told me, “I was putting the kettle on and got a hit. Your Dad wanted me to tell you that he was proud of you.” What the? How could this be a coincidence? #Chills

The second person who helped me process my father’s death was a complete stranger at the time. I met Gina Pell through my good friend and Community Heroes co-founder, Kala Shah. We met at a cafe/bakery in Ross, Calif. Gina offered to coach me about branding and business development.

She too asked me if my parents were impressed by the work I’ve been doing. I told her the same story I told Michael. She interrupted me and said, “Wait, did you ever think that your Dad was being sarcastic? I know that he was very proud of you. And he knows that you are a doctor now.” I was perplexed. “A Doctor of the Spirit. You have helped so many people reconnect to their spirit and see their power and help people,” she continued.

Tears ran down my eyes. We hugged. Instantly, more than three decades of the need to please my Dad and not feeling like I was good enough were lifted from me. I felt light. The tears washed away my sadness. Alas, I finally felt at peace with Dad.

Memories of conversations with the hospice nurse and priest my father befriended resurfaced. When I met them, they instantly knew who I was. They knew that I was a successful TV reporter, the youngest son, the kid whom he loved with every fiber of his being.

Before Dad took his last breath, he gave one last piece of advice: “We were all born with music in our hearts. It’s our responsibility to share it with the world before we die.”

I discovered that my melody lies in the heart of human communication. What brings me joy is connecting with people through reading, writing and talking. I share it with the world through Go Inspire Go. What music is in your heart and how are you sharing it?

This is one of the biggest spiritual lessons I’ve learned.

Here are five takeaways:

–I learned to forgive.

–I learned to make time for loved ones (even if you have to schedule them in) because life is fleeting.

–I learned that despite the cultural and generational barriers that got in the way of fully understanding our quirks, we did the best that we could.

-I learned that my father and auntie and both grandmothers will always be with me. Albeit not in the physical form, their values, spirit and goodness will live through me and my actions.

–I learned that I am their legacy… and my legacy will always be passed on through everybody who has been touched by my words, my voice and my story.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I know you’re up there, glowing with pride, smiling at me.

Onward!

Your son,
Toan, “The Soul Doctor”

P.S. Thank you to all my friends, you truly are angels — the light in my dark times.

Please share your thoughts and memories about “Dad” in the comments section or via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.

Join our movement & Go Inspire Go…

The post Happy Father’s Day: Rest in Peace Dad, I’m Now at Peace appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

Six-year-old Nico Castro from San Bruno, Calif., isn’t letting his battle with brain cancer affect his spirit of giving this Halloween. After his doctor gave him the green light to go trick-or-treating thanks to a break in his chemotherapy, he was jumping for jack-o’-lanterns, what a treat! But here’s where it gets tricky.

“Even though he’s worse off than some of these other kids in the hospital, he’s worried about them and oh they can’t go trick-or-treating and oh they can’t get candy,” said Nico’s mother, Marlene Castro, in a proud, but somber voice.

This worried little Halloween hero with a big heart asked his parents if they could buy costumes and treats for the kids in the cancer ward. “I was sad they wouldn’t have candy,” Nico explained. Marlene and her husband Raul Castro were moved by his thoughtfulness, however, it would be impossible to buy costumes and goodies for the more than 50 sick kids in the hospital. The family took a big financial hit after Nico’s diagnosis.

Nico knows what it feels like to have to sit on the sidelines during the holidays. Last November, instead of celebrating, he was in the hospital too ill to take part in the festivities. He was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, cancer of the cerebellum. But during this scary time, all he could think about was if he would be healthy enough to celebrate his favorite holiday — Halloween.

So in true superhero fashion, they took action and started a costume drive. “We were so surprised from the support outside of our community. The community really came together and packages of costumes are coming from Pennsylvania, Illinois and Texas,” Raul said. “The costumes, the little trinkets that the kids in the beds are getting… just an instant and it changes their demeanor and whole attitude about being sick.”

Beware: grab a Kleenex before watching this Halloween hero’s story:

It’s amazing to see how the community comes together when they’re given a healthy dose of inspiration. After meeting Nico, I quickly realized his superhero power is inspiring people to expand their minds, be more compassionate and to open their hearts.

After an initial call with Nico’s mother to set up this shoot, I couldn’t help but pitch in. I made some calls to local businesses and told them about Nico’s story. Sparky’s Balloons in San Francisco donated the festive bouquet of balloons and a goodie bag filled with spooky toys and trinkets. My good friend Jessica Chang reached out to Daydreams and Nightmares, a local costume shop in Modesto, Calif., that donated 20 costumes. Green Apple Books in San Francisco donated a $25 gift card after hearing that Nico likes to read. Our Facebook friend, Amanda Rivas from San Jose, Calif., saw our FB shout out, donated 15 costumes and came along to our shoot to surprise Nico. Thanks Rivas family!

Since my nonprofit Go Inspire Go brings you stories of everyday heroes, leverages social media to build community and ultimately inspire action, we had a few tricks up our sleeves — so I reached out to super mom Amy Pankratz, founder of Wonder Capes in Sioux Falls, S.D., and BAM, she quickly crafted a custom Batman cape for Nico and two other capes for his brother, 11, and sister, 8. I told her that Nico likes Batman because the mask covers his bald head. She told me that made her sad, so she made an extra trip to the fabric store and crafted a mask too.

The donations and kind acts continue to pour in. My friends asked if we could go to the hospital on Halloween to hand out goodies to the kids. The community has pitch in to offset some of the medical costs. More than $1,200 has trickled in.

It is hard to sit back and not take action after meeting this inspiring family who embody the real meaning of family, generosity and being present. “If you would have asked me a year ago that my son would be battling brain cancer and I would be going to the hospital daily, I would have never believed it,” Marlene explained. “Ironically, every year we would give donations to St. Jude’s Hospital for sick children.”

It’s easy to see where Nico got his kindness, compassion and giving spirit. When you hear of Nico’s story, you can’t help but reflect on your own life. As a kid, I thought Halloween was about ghosts, goblins, candy and costumes. But as I get older, I realize that at its core, this hallowed holiday is more about giving, not just with candy, but sharing and revering in these little moments with each other.

We grew up on welfare, so buying a cheap $5 costume was expensive to us. I have vivid memories of autumn. I can smell the morning dew on the vibrant leaves that crinkled under my little feet — orange, yellow, brown. My brothers and I were excited for my auntie Hong to get off work and take us costume shopping at the local Thrifty’s and Newberry. I remember playing with the flash lights, Halloween Pez dispensers and toys in the store aisles that I would have to put back because we didn’t have the money to buy them. Still, we were happy because each of us left with a costume.

I never told Auntie Hong how this little gesture and the inexpensive costumes meant the world to us. That’s all we cared about. Experiences and connections and simple acts of generosity are what this holiday is truly about. Ironically, Auntie Hong passed away of breast cancer at age 47. I didn’t realize it at the time, but Auntie Hong’s kind seasonal act had a profound impact on how I see the world today. Her kindness was passed along for many holidays to come. My parents didn’t understand or celebrate Halloween or many other holidays, so I made a concerted effort to make holidays a big deal for my younger cousins and now for my nephew and niece. It’s inspired me to be kinder to others, give what I can, and to be present and live every day with the attitude of gratitude all year round. It’s interesting how the little moments in life come full circle. Now that I have a voice and a platform, I’m using it to multiply the deeds of superheroes like Nico.

Nico has undergone extensive surgery to remove his brain tumor, which was about four-and-a-half inches big. Doctors were able to remove most of the tumor from his cerebellum, but couldn’t take out the rest of it because it was attached to his brain stem. Meanwhile, doctors believe the prognosis is good, but worry about how the treatment will affect Nico’s standard of living in the long run.

This one’s for you Auntie Hong. Nico, my Halloween hero, thank you for your thoughtfulness and allowing me to say thank you to my Auntie by telling your story!

Please don’t sit out this holiday. Take action.

Take Action

Update: Nico has collected 85 NEW costumes & 60 USED costumes!

    1. Be a HALLOWEEN HERO: Donations can be made at:
        C&C Automotive Refinishing
        860 San Mateo Ave.
        San Bruno, CA 94066

    2. Write a letter to a cancer patient to show support.

    3. Hug your child or a loved one. Tell them you love them.

* Follow us @GoInspireGo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube

More Stories About Nico Castro:
6-Year-Old Halloween Hero Quadruples Goal, Brings Holiday Spirit to Sick Kids
Cape Crusaders: Empowering and Honoring Young Superheroes
Young Superhero Shares Halloween Spirit with Kids in Hospital (Update)

The post Boy, 6, with Brain Cancer Brings Halloween to Sick Kids appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

Traffic was packed with pedestrians, bicyclists and zig-zagging skateboarders who were crossing Market and 7th streets like Atari’s Frogger game.

Remember that? I think I’m dating myself again. That moment brought me back to my high school driver’s education class. For a moment, I felt like I was driving in a simulator just hoping for a good grade, but this time it was real life waiting to teach me a lesson.

My car was positioned four car-lengths behind the intersection. The light was green, but traffic wasn’t moving. Within a few seconds of the light turning green, the drivers behind me started honking their horns. The honking overpowered the hustle and bustle of traffic. For a few seconds, I started getting antsy too, but instead of getting flustered, I looked around inquisitively — surely, I thought to myself, something going on was creating the snarled and inert traffic.

Suddenly, my angst turned to empathy and I shivered with realization. A blind, disoriented man came into view as he wandered in the middle of the street not knowing where to go. All this confusion and frustration that everyone else was feeling while in their cars safely tucked away behind the wheel — imagine how he must be feeling! People screaming, horns honking, not being able to see the multiple sources of anger and annoyance … his confusion trumped ours instantly.

It wasn’t until I witnessed three people rushing to usher him out of harm’s way that I finally took a breath. Their kindness warmed my heart and made me smile inside and out, and suddenly I was so very thankful that I hadn’t let my frustration get the best of me.

The moment triggered memories of my late Auntie Hong Yee. She was a graceful woman, who embodied the word “Zen,” and she was my favorite aunt because she never judged and was always supportive of me and my four siblings. We trusted her and felt we could confide in her.

Hong Yee fought a long, courageous battle with cancer and passed away about ten years ago, but her timeless wisdom embraces us. Not a week goes by that I don’t think about her. I used to accompany her on an occasional errand and on some of her medical visits.

She did things on her own timetable, slowly, with patience and this included driving. She walked at her own pace. She would take her time meticulously cleaning and cooking. Oftentimes, she would drive under the speed limit. If the speed limit said 45 mph, she would carefully drive 40 mph or less.

Cancer slowed her down even more, to about 35 miles per hour. Every time I was in the car with her — people would honk, snicker and even flip the bird at her. As a teenager I remember getting angry at them. I wanted to shout back at them and explain that she was ill and her days on earth were numbered. She felt my nervous energy and in a soft, loving voice, she said, “so what… let them get mad, they are not being conscious of what they’re doing.” I didn’t fully understand it then.

This experience changed my outlook on life’s speed bumps and barriers that block my path. Through her actions Hong Yee taught me to be more aware of my impatience and recognize that it is my ego that is getting out of control and driving the negative emotions. I also learned to be conscious of the way I react to other people’s actions and not to lash back out of habit — after all, negativity begets negativity.

I learned that I too needed to look at every situation that comes my way with the same compassion and consciousness as my beloved auntie. I wondered, what would the world be like if we viewed all the slow drivers as though they are our aunties, friends, family members or neighbors, who are going through their own battles in life. This awareness is the roadmap to my actions and have changed the trajectory of how I react.

All our actions and reactions affect others. If you’re a road raging parent, your kids will learn from your actions, and they too may react the same way, while driving, walking or living.

Beep. Beep. You are in the driver’s seat when it comes to what you choose to say or do to others. This is what my Auntie Hong Yee taught me: Be aware. Be conscious. And smile at other angry drivers.

(Oh, and don’t text while driving.)

The post Slow Your Roll: Think Twice Before You Yell, Honk or Lose It! appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

Sunflowers have always made me smile — I don’t know why, but they just do — and I hope this story makes you smile too!

Nancy Siegler of Cameron Park, Calif., knows first-hand the hope, strength and power of the sunflower.

Siegler started planting sunflowers last year after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She believes it helped her get through some very scary times. Twelve months ago, she had 30 plants. This year she’s planted 310 sunflower seeds. Three of the plants are more than 16-feet tall.

“They’re magical,” she tells me, excitedly. “They make me feel good and give me inner strength.”

But sunflowers aren’t the only things growing in her garden.

Who would’ve thought her penchant for these powerful red, orange and gold petals would resonate with so many people and create such huge ripples of inspiration beyond her colorful garden?

“Today, I am doing well,” she said. “What’s so special is that I have combined the happiness of the sunflower with the awareness of breast cancer into an event to raise money for breast cancer research.”

Siegler wanted to share this symbol of hope with her community. Like her garden, filled with 26 species of sunflowers, the idea blossomed. A month ago, she decided to open her garden to the public. Her goal: to raise $1,000 for the American Cancer Society in Sacramento.

“We weren’t sure if anybody would come,” she admits. But like anything, with love, care and faith — growth is inevitable.

More than 600 people came to bask in the Sacramento sun, share stories and witness these flowering symbols of hope.

She says her event raised a about $5,000 dollars — all from donations. “I was overwhelmed!” she said, in a bubbly voice, as though she just received a huge surprise.

Many people waited in line to meet Siegler and tell her empowering stories of how sunflowers positively impacted their lives.

“It makes me feel good that I’m not alone in this fight and that I’m not the only one who believes in the strength of these flowers. If even for a moment, they make you feel good, it’s worth it,” she said, passionately.

Since Siegler opened up her private oasis of inspiration to the public, strangers have reached out, using their talents and resources to help her.

“One man told me he would come help me with gardening for next year’s event — hopefully in May, depending on Mother Nature — and some children came by and helped me paint the barn.”

Do you believe in the strength of the sunflower?

If you don’t, this “Sunflower Floranista” challenges you to take part in her non-scientific experiment: “Add the sunflower to your garden and see how good it can make you feel. Cut some of their flowers and have them in your home. They will bring smiles to all who come.”

Siegler is already harvesting this year’s seeds for next year’s garden. Meanwhile, she has bigger plans to spread the sunflower power. She is working with many breast cancer awareness groups across the country to adopt the sunflower as the official flower.

“I realized that I’m not alone in this… (battle with breast cancer and extrapolating positivity from these plants) 99 percent of people who have come to my garden tell me they believe in the strength of the sunflower.”

How’s that for flower power?!

What can YOU do to spread generosity, kindness and compassion in your community?

All ideas and projects start off as a thought, a seed — imagine how your passion could blossom into compassion. You may never know where the seeds you’ll scatter will go or grow!

The post Sunflower Power — How One Cancer Survivor’s Garden Inspires Community of Hope appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

I’ve never met a Superhero before, but now I believe they exist.

I recently flew to South Dakota and Pennsylvania and met the tiniest, bravest, most inspiring Superheroes, including my new Superhero friend, 5-year-old Brooke Mulford.

Wearing her special pink cape, running with her arms raised in the air and screaming with joy, little Brooke forgets about all of the cancer procedures, medicine and treatments she’s had to endure because when the cape is on, this little girl believes she’s “Super Brooke.”

Accessorized in her favorite color pink, Brooke is among 4,000 sick children and their siblings, who have custom homemade Superhero capes. The capes are gifts, sewn with inspiration and sent with blessings of love, from Wonder Capes.

Brooke’s personalized pink Superhero cape gives her comfort, reassurance and power to fight Stage 4, high-risk Neuroblastoma — infant and childhood cancer of the nervous system.

All Superheroes need someone extraordinary, to outfit them… Meet Amy Pankratz. By day, Amy is a stay at home mother of three, juggling the normal multiple schedules, obligations and responsibilities: including elementary and preschool school carpools, room mother activities, etc. By night, when her so-called “Love Bugs” are asleep, she sews through most of the night — many times, pulling all-nighters.

Amy and her husband Michael call their “hobby” and mission, “Wonder Capes.” These capes are homemade, beautifully crafted “Superhero” comfort capes delivered to sick children around the world. As a mother of small children, Amy knows how important it is to love, encourage and support all of them. She understands that often parents focus on their sick child, taking away time and attention from their other children — that’s why she also accessorizes their siblings.

The capes are heartfelt inspirations. “I read their story. I think about them. I pray for them while I make it,” said Amy.

I’ve been dreaming about traveling to meet Amy and her family for about a year. There were many challenges to my plans: first funding, then scheduling and more behind-the-scenes logistics etc. Recently, everything fell into place and then BAM! I was on my way to cover one of the most personal stories ever in my 10-years of being a journalist.

How perfect that after nearly a year of trying to connect with Amy and Wonder Capes, that the stars aligned just in time — September, which is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month — a way to focus attention on the important need to fund the fight against these cancers.

According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children one to 14 years old. On average, one to two children develop the disease each year for every 10,000 children in the United States. In the 2007, approximately 10,400 children, living in the US, under age 15 were diagnosed with cancer and about 1,545 children will die from the disease.

Scientist and Pediatric Oncologist, Dr. Peter Adamson, with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) explains the disparity between adult and childhood cancer, “Cancer is a big problem in the adult population, it is a very small, but very important problem in the pediatric population, so the funding tends to mirror that large difference.”

Dr. Adamson, who is also Chair-elect of the Children’s Oncology Group, underscores the tremendous value and importance in pediatric cancer funding, “when you save a child with cancer, you give them a lifetime — 70, or 80 years.”

Everyone has the power to make a difference to find a cure for this horrific disease. Established well-known pediatric cancer research funders include: Cure Search for Children’s Cancer, CHOP Foundation, Alex’s Lemonade Stand and St. Baldrick’s.

Also this month, the entertainment industry unites for Stand Up 2 Cancer, a celebrity-studded, simultaneous multi-network broadcast show — just one of the many of the platforms for cancer awareness and funding.

As you will see in our GIG story, we too highlight the brightest STARS and Superheroes on the forefront of research, care and this determined fight.

In my lifetime, it my hope is that you discover your Superhero powers to make a difference and that you’re moved to use them to give back.

GIG “Call to Action”

Since I created Go Inspire Go, my video-based, inspirational website that “Helps viewers discover their power and use it to help others,” I’ve been jonesing to do a story about the fight against cancer.

Covering and sharing this story with you has been a dream of mine, and something I’ve been moved to do, since my father and aunt both passed away, months from each other, in 2001. Back then, I felt powerless.

After meeting Amy, other parents and Superheroes, I finally regained my power. Like Brooke and the other little Superheroes I recently befriended at CHOP, I too believe in miracles and the positive “power” of the cape!

For many of the sick kids who receive their cape, the Metropolis (and second home) where they fly is the hospital. Hopefully one day, they can fly freely outside and away from the villain they call cancer.

You may not be a sewing superstar like Amy, (I’m no Martha Stewart either); however, I do know that you have it in you to give back, no matter big or small. You can make a charitable donation — a gift to honor or remember someone- to cancer research organizations, or if you’re on a tight budget, you can volunteer at your local hospital, sponsor, or organize a fundraising event.

Do you have commitment phobia, or hesitate supporting a non-profit, or cause? No worries, be creative. Maybe there’s a family member, friend, neighbor fighting cancer, who you can help with errands, household responsibilities, or better yet, lend your talents (painting, music, etc.) and spend time making your important Superhero smile.

Here’s an example of paying it forward; In the video, you saw that Nick’s mother, Angi Kappenman was inspired by Amy to give back. The Kappenmans donate backpacks to parents of a sick child at a local hospital — in them are activities, such as coloring books, crayons, etc. along with a picture of Nick and a message to “Stay Strong Carry On,” a mantra the family repeats as Nick continues his checkups… The intent is two-fold: to keep kids entertained and to help parents organize hospital paperwork.

It’s obvious that I love talking and revere in storytelling. One of my contributions is using my skills to create videos and blogs that raise visibility and support for amazing superheroes — many I want you to meet through GIG.

Please view and share our heartwarming video by copying and sending this video & blog link, sharing on facebook, or tweeting.

To all the Superhero families and children who continue to fight, the “C” villain: Stay strong. Carry on. Bless you.

Onward!
Toan Lam

Special thanks to: Denise Poon with Creative Streamline, Steve Kotton, Dianne Fukami, Phat & Lynn Lam, Yasmine Farazian, Luis Pena, Vera Poon, Keely & Tanya Stevenson, Le Tran, Michael Hang, Allison Tom.

The post Superhero Capes Provide Hope & Inspiration for Sick Children appeared first on Go Inspire Go.

Many of us have lost a loved one from the big C. I lost my father, aunt and friends to Cancer.

And while it’s not a fun topic to talk about and in many cases and cultures — taboo — talking about it could save your life or the life of someone you care about. I’ve experienced that the hard way.

I come from a typical Asian family that isn’t encouraged to be inquisitive, outspoken or to make a big fuss about anything for that matter. At home, it wasn’t OK to speak up about what was on my mind — a “don’t ask, don’t tell” environment. (So it’s liberating that I’ve found a passion/career path through Go Inspire Go to share inspirational stories and essentially be the voice for the voiceless.)

I vividly remember the moment as clear as the bright fall colors. One crisp autumn day, I nervously asked my Aunt Hong if she got checked for cancer, specifically if she’s ever had a mammogram. I don’t recollect what actually compelled me to (gulp) ask that question, but what I do recall was being very embarrassed to even bring up a question of that nature. (Or any other questions for that matter, especially to my elders). I wasn’t raised to question my “authorities,” not to mention, talking about breasts. Viscerally, I just felt like urging her to go to the doctor. She looked at me, stunned. She answered with a gesture. (Just a nod of the head) I don’t think she ever followed through and got a checkup.

Unfortunately, the conversation ended there. So did her life just a few years after I posed that question. My mother’s sister died of breast cancer at age 48. I don’t know if she ever got checked. I do, however, know that that year alone in 2000, I lost my father to stomach cancer and Auntie, in just a few short months — and no one really talked about cancer itself or how we were affected by it. Our feelings were shoved underneath the imaginary rug. Losing Auntie Hong was harder on me and my family than losing others family members, including my own father. Not that you can tangibly, philosophically and emotionally categorize which death was more difficult to deal with. I think the sorrow or raw sense of sadness lingered not only because she was too young to die, her job wasn’t done on this earth.

Auntie Hong left behind a fourteen-year-old son, Thomas, whom my siblings and I treat like a younger brother. “Are you afraid?” I remember asking him. A blank stare ensued. I tried comforting him as he blinked back tears. “It’s ok to be scared and to cry.” I assured him. “You are like a brother to us. We are here for you. Your mom asked us to watch after you after she passed and to make sure you grow up all right.” I took the first step in breaking the silence by talking to Thomas — the lack of communication and being quiet was what caused more confusion and fear about cancer and other topics like sex.

Though my experiences with losing people to cancer, I’ve realized that this disease does not discriminate, age, sex, creed or class. I also learned that many people are totally in the dark when it comes to cancer facts and myths. Being hush hush about cancer can be deadly.

George Lin, my friend who was the San Diego Asian Film Foundation’s Program Director died at age 37 of Pheochromocytoma, a rare tumor of the adrenal gland. I remember meeting George, at the festival. One year he was a young, healthy and funny. I remember George cracking jokes as we ate Korean food at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. The next year, when I came to volunteer at the San Diego Asian Film Festival, I saw a totally different George. He looked gaunt, feeble and ill. He didn’t explain the change. He didn’t crack jokes like he usually did with me. And I didn’t ask. I just knew that something was wrong.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation/Festival. While many people were excited to converge in San Diego to celebrate film, there was a somber feeling – as though something was missing from the festival. Many volunteers and festival goers say they could feel that George was there in spirit, I certainly did. George inspired this year’s festival theme: Cancer Awareness. Lee Ann Kim, the festival’s Executive Director recently told me that after George’s death, she became obsessed with researching cancer and cancer awareness. “After talking with so many people, I realized that so many people didn’t want to talk about cancer,” Kim said. “Like many people who have cancer, George didn’t tell many people about his illness. But I knew, I was his boss.” It seems many people are still very afraid to talk about cancer, especially the Asian American and Asian community. As we all know too well, that could be a tragic mistake.

In the spirit of those we’ve all lost to cancer, I am urging you, begging you, to please talk about it. Awareness and Early Detection could save lives.

I’m inviting you to break the silence — talk about it.

Rest in peace Dad, Aunt Hong and George. I hope his story inspires everyone to be aware and share. PLEASE SHARE THIS STORY (and video) WITH AT LEAST ONE PERSON. Be inspired to do something so that talking about the BIG C won’t be that big of a deal to talk about anymore. Let’s get it out in the open, and talk about cancer — so it will no longer be taboo, I hope and believe that one day, that the CAPITAL C — will be replaced with a little c. So please, talk about cancer. Be aware. And share. It may save the life of a loved one. It may save your life.

The post From the BIG C to little c… We all know someone with CANCER — Let’s talk about it! appeared first on Go Inspire Go.