Just when you think life is sorted it can give you a kick in the pants. I’d only just finished posting last week report and I got a phone call from a mate at home, he’d just been diagnosed with cancer. While there isn’t much I can really do, I just wanted to get back to be a listening ear.
After last weeks sailing I headed off up the country to find new locations for my costal reports in Boards. We sailed two different spots on the Monday and was set to cover a few more in the next days while the forecast held good.
Feeling good after the sail I relaxed at my ELK’s house to write up last weeks blog, normally get it done on a Monday evening, and as you may have read, it was about sailing with friends, so getting this news a few hours later was a real blow.
Steve isn’t just a mate, without him I wouldn’t be writing this, he was the one who got me into windsurfing, and actually he’s responsible for most of my hobbies. Diving, biking, or just hammering round the track, it’s Steve who set it up first, and while he may have taken a back seat lately there aren’t many days go by with seeing him for a cuppa or two.
We used to work together years ago when my brother told him he was too old and too fat to learn windsurfing, a year later Steve was pushing me to join him on the water. I knew early on I wanted to compete and while it didn’t interest Steve, he was my training partner.
When I made the move into speed Steve was there pushing me, not only from on the water, he was also making my fins, I’m sure many of you will know Steve from the days of F-Hot Finz.
Doesn’t mater what I’ve done, he’s been there in support, and especially when I had my cancer, the only good news on that one is I had it first, so it’s my turn to show him the way.
Just mentioning the word cancer sends a shiver up the spine, it bring into focus your own mortality and the effect to those around you, while Steve deals with those initial thoughts its good to know it is treatable and the outlook is good, even if he can’t see it yet.
They say one in three are touched by cancer, it’s starting to feel more than that to me. You may remember David Tuttlebee late last year had his second round of cancer. His way to recovery was not only treatment, but to set-up a charity event to help others trough there fight.
Sunrise to Sunset website is now up and running, not only for information but to take donations. I will be sailing at Hayling Island on Sunday May 3rd, it would be good to see many of you joining me, if you can’t make it then get out with your mates at your local spot.
While we’ll be having a good day on the water the main objective is to raise funds, I for one would appreciate your support by donating at www.sunrisesunset.ws/davewhite.htm
Thank you for your support
