“Pay it Forward”. That was Chris’s mantra throughout his 9 month battle with cancer. He was beyond touched by the love and support he was shown not only from our families, but from friends, colleagues and strangers alike. We both were. Unfortunately, it’s usually not until you’re inflicted with such a horrible disease that you realize how much of a community exists around such things. We were welcomed in with open arms.

Chris would always say that he couldn’t wait to get better; he couldn’t wait to start passing on the good, the gracious, the support that we had received from day 1. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to pay it forward himself, but I promised I’d do it for him, and now is when I start making good on that promise.

The Caring for Carcinoid Foundation believes that a cure IS possible for carcinoid cancers. But it takes research to find a CURE and it takes MONEY to fund research. I plan on spending a lot of time throughout the rest of my life raising money to help fund the research that will find that cure. If I can help prevent even just ONE family from having to go through what our family went through, and to do it in the name of my husband to boot, well, that’s a no-brainer.

So, this, this is the first step. I designed these t-shirts in OC’s memory. All proceeds will be given to the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation to help their efforts in finding a cure for this horrible disease.

(Be sure to hit the “rotate” button to see the back of the shirt as well)

In case it’s hard to tell from these pictures, the front says “OC” and underneath are the date of his birth and the date of his death - 6/27/69 - 7/16/09. The back carries his mantra - “PAY IT FORWARD” - and under the picture it says “Chris may have lost his battle, but together we can win the war”

So, here’s how it works:
IF you’re interested in purchasing a t-shirt (and please don’t feel obligated. Chris NEVER would’ve wanted that, and neither do I) they’re $20/each and come in the following sizes:
YOUTH - S, M, L, XL
ADULT - S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL

1) Send an email to rememberingoc@hotmail.com with the following information:
-Number of shirts wanted
-Size of each shirt
-Address to which we can mail you the shirts after they come in

2) Send payment:
-You can either mail me a check (email me at rememberingoc@hotmail.com if you need the address) or
-Sumbit payment via Paypal (to email address rememberingoc@hotmail.com).

3) I will mail out the shirts once they are received.
*Do NOT order from Customlink.com directly. I need to place one, bulk, order to receive the fundraising discount. Thanks!*

First order will be placed this Saturday (6/19) so that they come in prior to the one year anniversary of his death on 7/16. The second order will be placed at the end of July.

Royal blue cause bands (think of the yellow “LIVESTRONG” wristbands you see everywhere) are also available. They, too, carry the “PAY IT FORWARD” mantra on the front and have “OC” (along with the dates) on the back. They are available for $5, and again, all proceeds will go to the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation. Both adult and youth sizes are available. I already have these bands in my posession, so there is no deadline for ordering the cause bands. Same process as above applies for ordering the cause bands.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you ALL for your support over the last (almost) 2 years. You will truly never know what that kind of warm embrace feels like unless you’ve ever had the unfortunate circumstance of being there yourself. You will never know what that love meant to my husband, and to our entire family. I feel blessed to be able to pass on some of the good that was shown to us, and I’m honored to do it in OC’s good name. Thank you again for helping us on our journey, thank you for helping me prevent other’s from having their own, and thank you for helping me remember, and honor, a one of a kind man. He is missed every single day. That will never change. And though we can’t bring him back, we can insure that his name, his legacy, lives on. Thank you for that gift.

xoxoxo

Shane and I walked in the door Thursday night and I started to close the curtains and turn on the lights - my usual evening routine.  I turned on the light in the playroom and walked over to the front door to get the mail and as I opened the door a box fell at my feet.

It was addressed to me, and I knew from the post-it on the front, that it had been dropped off by someone at King Industries.

I carried everything into the kitchen, put the mail down on the counter and stared at the box from King.  I had no idea what might be inside, but I did know it would have to do with Chris.  On this particular day, a day which had been far more emotional and difficult for me, I wondered if this was a gift from my husband.

I put Shane’s dinner in the oven to heat and I sat down to open the box.  Carefully.  And as I lifted the lid and removed the contents from the bag, I found myself holding a framed certificate.  An award.  For my husband.

This is to certify that Chris O’Connor  is hereby presented with the King Industries Certificate of Excellence.

On February 18, 2009 Chris discovered a propane leak on a forklift near his building.  Chris took action to stop the leak and notify others that the forklift was out of service and needed repair.

Chris’ exemplary action is in keeping with the finest safety practices of  King Industries, Inc.

What struck me the most was the date.  February 18, 2009.  Almost 4 months AFTER his cancer diagnosis and just one week BEFORE his first (scheduled) liver embolization.  His condition, his pain, none of it kept him from doing his job.  He carried on like his life was normal.  As if he were okay.  Because that’s the kind of man he was.

I think this award speaks volumes to my husband’s character.  I think if you never had the privilege to meet my husband, this would tell you everything you would need to know to know him.

I think it’s amazing that the safety board at King Industries voted to give Chris this award.  But I also think that act speaks volumes as to the kind of company that King Industries is.

As if the award wasn’t gift enough, on top of the framed certificate sat a couple of notes from two employees at King.  Short little notes, filled with the kindest of words for Shane and I.  Those notes mean just as much to me as Chris’ award does.

To all of you at King, thank you for keeping Shane and I in your thoughts; but thank you even more for keeping my husband’s spirit in your hearts.  You’ll never know how much all of this means to me.

And to my husband, thank you for being you.  Even when it was difficult.  And thank you for this gift.  I will cherish it, and you, always.