Random Acts of Kindness Week - A Touching True Story

4 Months, 1 Crazy Runner, 3,076 Miles Coast to Coast!

It’s random acts of kindness week and I have a special episode for you today. When I met Peter Halper and found out he ran across the US to raise money to help fund research for childhood cancer, his story inspired me, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you.  A couple years ago I taught the students at my school something called Secret Agents of Kindness that I had learned from another teacher. I challenged the students to look for ways to be kind to those around them and do it in a secret way if possible. Even just last week, a parent dropped off Starbucks gift cards for our carline staff who have been standing in the freezing cold before and after school helping kids get in and out of their cars. It was the kindest thing! Totally made their month! This week, think of one kind thing you can do for someone else...whether it’s paying for coffee for the person in line after you, or surprising someone with flowers just because, or writing a note to someone just letting them know you are thinking of them. Never underestimate the power of a kind act no matter how big or small. 

4 months, 1 crazy runner, 3,076 miles coast to coast. Peter Halper is that crazy runner on our show today to share, “The strongest compelling desire that motivates me in running is that the hurting, those that I run for, will feel even the faintest whisper of “I am seen.””

This run just ended on the east coast in November 2020 and on our show today we have Emery’s great Uncle - Peter Halpern - that crazy runner! Have you ever heard of Emery’s Thunder Run to raise funds for cancer? 

On April 13, 2020, with the support of Emery’s Memory Foundation, Peter started Emery’s Thunder Run. The 3,100 mile coast to coast run across the U. S. is designed to raise awareness about Neuroblastoma, a cancer affecting children that is extremely challenging to successfully fight and one that is grossly underfunded when it comes to research.

Peter says, "Running has become my whisper to them and their parents. My way of saying “I see you” and I am doing all that I can to help."

No one is going to solve this puzzle for us. But if we work together and take bold action, we can bring the thunder to childhood cancer.

 In addition to generating awareness the run will be used to generate donations to fund research as well as money to give directly to the families that are fighting this cancer.

Neuroblastoma, the cancer affecting children is extremely challenging to successfully fight and one that is grossly underfunded when it comes to research.  

Peter shared, "I wish running could make their pain and heartbreak better, but I know it does not. Those who do need to hear will hear, and as a result of the work of Emery’s Memory Foundation and Emery’s Thunder Run, my personal hope and conviction is that 19 families will know without a doubt that they are seen in their suffering."

 https://www.emerysmemoryfoundation.com/

https://beatcc.org/