Team ButterBean: #ByeCancer

Team ButterBean has been formed. We need you to help us grow this team strong as we have a battle ahead of us.

We know that with your prayers, encouragement, positive thoughts,      financial gifts and other ways you will show support, we can make this  health battle a little easier for one of our favorite superheroes and his family.

You might be reading this and know exactly who ButterBean is and you are reaching for your wallet right now to give back to him a small token of what he has given to you, your family, your business, your Explorer,   your Scout, your shift, your squad, your office, your school, your              neighborhood, your city...his reach is far and wide and has touched          countless lives spanning countless years. So,  I am not surprised if you are reading this and know  him I bet you have a story about him and a memory that jumps out at you as the time his larger than life personality and sweet welcoming smile and  calm disposition in a crisis bonded you with him. 

You might be reading this and wondering who this awesome, superhero status "ButterBean" is...I'm glad you asked... 

He is first a family man, or as I see him, the man of our family. He is dedicated to loving and supporting those in his family, day or night, locally or miles away, when you call he will be there. I have had the privilege of receiving this lavish love and support time and again as his niece. He loves his people hard and he loves them well and his impact in our lives is pretty incredible. That would be enough for me to leave there and ask for your help but believe me there is more to this man... 

I could never capture in brief the impact this next chapter would have on countless lives, you will just have to sit down with him yourself and hear all the stories, from shocking to hilarious and everything in between...In April of 1981, he followed in the path of his father and joined the Baltimore City Police Department. He served his city with integrity and dedication for 34 years, serving in many different areas on the force over the years. He took on a much deserved, new and final post in the Summer of 2015, Retirement! Among many things on his list I am sure there were plans to rest some and  for RV trips and fishing with his sons and cooking up something delicious on the grill, in the smoker or in the kitchen and of course spending time with his family. He is greatly missed in the city but was given a big welcome home as he stepped into the safer and more peaceful days of retirement with his loved ones. 

In February 2018, Kevin (aka, ButterBean) was handed news none of us want to receive- advanced stage liver cancer. We all learned fast that even superheroes have to have their capes mended over the years. Our family tree has been known to be laced with stories of cancer, some survived, some fought hard and still lost way too soon, some escaped with barely a brush of the disease that we are all so familiar with. It's the elephant in the room that you hope will leave and not take anyone else down  with it when it goes. It's the deep breath held while waiting for the latest updates from the medical team. It's the constant reminder to live and love in the gift of today because we are aware that tomorrow is not a guarantee.

While we have been supporting the family as they are processing the shift in priorities and searching for the top medical teams and thinking of the impact that basic logistics will have on their family, he has been a rock, our rock. Focused on staying positive and continuing to support and love us all so well. Business as usual for this calm, steady man even though there is a Signal 13 going out, about him, right now. 

There is a long road ahead for this superhero and his incredible family. A family that has stood behind him, supported him and a very thin blue line, they let him go chase the bad guys and make our city safer while he missed memories in the making, milestone moments. The last thing they need is another battle, but I know that they are equipped to survey, climb and CONQUER this mountain known as cancer. 

Over the weeks and months ahead there will be numerous unforeseen financial needs come up. This is an area that is hard to ask for help in, it is hard to talk about but it is a big need that we can easily help meet when we all come together. Kevin has worked hard for years and years and doesn't take handouts or look for help, he is the help, he is the one delivering the boxes of holiday cheer to those in our communities that are in need. Let's turn the table, let's lavish the love and support back on one of the world's bravest, kindest, strongest men. 

They will be traveling 140 miles round trip for most medical visits/treatments. They will be tired, hungry and needing to put gas in the cars and eating multiple meals on the road. That will add up fast. Flowers are beautiful, candy/fruit/cookie baskets are delicious but there are bigger needs to be met that will make a huge difference to this precious family.

There will be big and small financial needs .... from travel costs to and from the hospital and treatment centers,  small things that will add up fast, like meals out and parking fees to larger burdens, like large co-pays and missed time at work (while he is retired from the BPD, he is working in a new field as well as his wife and 2 sons that will need to take time off to be with him).

We don't take this lightly, asking for your help. We want to wave a magic wand and make life steady again without making waves for anyone else but we can't. Life is full of highs and lows and we are just learning to bob and weave a little more these days. Then we thought of you, and how you would want to help the man who has helped countless people, but you might not know what they NEED on a random Tuesday when you think of them and you can't get a lasagna dropped off or take a hospital run for them so they can rest while you drive them or deliver fresh groceries after a long week... that is where the power of social media, the internet and a community that won't quit comes in and shows off in a big way. We can get them some assurance in the way of financial support, you can help with a donation- any size counts and is greatly appreciated. This will give them more strength to focus on taking down this monster named liver cancer. 

We will keep everyone updated via this page as we learn more about his treatment plan in early April and will continue to share updates as he navigates the weeks to come. This will be a great place to get updates, please continue to check back from time to time. 

It is time to come together and help a great man conquer his greatest battle.

I know that we will come together to support him and his family, so I thank you in advance for giving and praying and supporting however you can. Please share this with someone you know that has been impacted by this amazing man. We can overcome the dark days by spreading the light of love to those around us. Thanks for being our light. 

#TeamButterBean #ByeCancer