A sunny summer Sunday seems a perfect time to remember John Atkinson, a man who touched my life only briefly but profoundly, like those rare summer breezes that say everything is OK. No matter what circumstances life holds, faith, family, and perhaps a game of golf, can make the difference.
John Atkinson, 11/10/68 – 06/11/09, Photo © Scott Halleron/Getty Images
Many of you may remember John winning the Golf Digest U.S. Open Challenge Contest last summer, and playing at Torrey Pines. A healthy, athletic 39 year old non-smoker, John had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in 2007. As an advocate for the Lung Cancer Alliance John has inspired many to join in the fight against lung cancer.
Off the green, John was a loving husband to Lori, and an adoring father to his children. The lessons he learned from golf helped him deal with his devastating diagnosis, but he said it was his strong faith and support of his wife and children that made all the difference.
What did John Atkinson teach us about coping with lung cancer?
- Use your passions to help you cope. Golf was John’s passion. What are your passions?
- "Never, never, never give up” In Golf and Cancer, Never Give Up
- Be advocates for lung cancer survivors, and help stamp out the stigma of lung cancer. While survivors of other forms of cancer tend to receive unconditional support, lung cancer survivors are often treated as if they are to blame for their disease. I cherish John’s words, "No one’s doing anything about it. People just want to live in the stigma and don’t want to deal with it. I’m gonna make them deal with it." And he did. Thank you John.
John’s life was too short, and I am sure if my own emotions are any indication, his absence leaves a gaping hole in his beautiful family. Please join me in remembering John and his family, and sending special thoughts and prayers their way.
More about John Atkinson:
This is a wonderful informative website and I applaud your efforts and all the important hard work you’re doing. It gives me hope! I would like to express my deepest condolences for your horrible painful loss. Bless your Hearts! I created a blog about the same critical issue and I’m doing what I can to raise awareness on this critical vital issue from my own personal experience. The blog discusses everything related to big tobacco, non-smokers’ rights, and all the health dangers related to smoking and having to breathe secondhand smoke and secondhand smoker’s breath. I invite you to please take a few moments to take a look and share it with those you love and care about and help them quit the nasty ugly habit. http://smokenscreens.blogspot.com
Thank you,
Amanda
So what if lung cancer is caused by smoking or not. They should be finding cures. They should find cures for all the lung diseases. I read that most studies for new medications for lung disease exclude smokers. Everything is for asthma. It does not matter how one gets lung cancer. If there is a stigma then STOP MAKING SMOKING PRODUCTS…Shame on all of you.