I received a very special request today from a gentleman named Cameron Von St. James.  Eight years ago, his wife Heather was diagnosed with mesothelioma; a rare cancer that kills most people within 2 years of diagnosis.  She had just given birth to their daughter Lily, and was only given 15 months to live.  After a lifesaving surgery that included the removal of her left lung, LungLeavin’ Day was born.  On February 2nd, 2014 they celebrated 8 years of Heather being cancer free!

The purpose of LungLeavin’ Day is to encourage others to face their fears!  Each year, they gather around a fire in their backyard with friends and family, write their biggest fears on a plate and smash them into the fire pit.  They celebrate for those who are no longer with them, for those who continue to fight, for those who are currently going through a tough time in their life, and most importantly, they celebrate life.

All too often we live in fear and when it came time to write on my own plate I typed ‘I fear dying young.’  It just came to my mind.  I supposed the digestion of all the medications over the years and the constant blood tests to check the functioning of my liver and kidneys tend to worry me.  I sit in bed and often gasp for air at night due to my anxiety condition, which often leaves me breathless at the best of times.  I need to learn somehow that I don’t need to be afraid anymore and that all of our days are limited and frankly that is okay.  We all die and we never know when our time is done here, we just know that someday it will be and that I have no control over that.  I look to Heather for inspiration as she had her actual lung removed and that takes guts and she encourages me to celebrate the life that I have and not dread the time that may be taken away from me.        

This year, the family was not asking for money, or donations of any kind, they were just asking bloggers to participate and spread the word about LungLeavin’ Day and created an interactive page that tells the full story of their special day here 

Although the day has passed, I hope you will still check it out and share it on your blog too. It would really mean so much to Cam and his family and to the Bipolar Babe.

Thank you!