Every year, I take a few minutes on my birthday to think about Hayley Kidman. The parallels in our lives are uncanny. Like me, Hayley has two beautiful and amazing daughters. Like me, Hayley and her husband Travis fought a valiant battle against kidney cancer. Like me, Hayley’s too young to be a widow.
Hayley and Chris share the same birthday. And sadly, the day after my birthday is the anniversary of Travis’s death. I can’t help but think that my day to celebrate is her day to mourn. It’s a constant reminder how kidney cancer impacts not just patients but entire families.
While some are celebrating today, others are grieving. Someone woke up to the new reality of a kidney cancer diagnosis. Someone woke up to the absence of their spouse, parent or friend. And they’re struggling with fear and grief.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With new research into kidney cancer treatments, we can create more reasons to celebrate.
Last week, my daughter Josie blew out eight candles on her birthday cake and wished for a cure for kidney cancer. That’s my wish too. Help our wish come true. Please donate to KCCure in honor of my birthday and in honor of the birthday that Travis didn’t get to have.
