It
started as a simple hashtag. It marked the beginning of a new adventure and
foretold the long fight that lay ahead. In the summer of 2013, Shawn
Kuykendall, my soccer coach of eight years, was diagnosed with stage IV thymus
cancer. Shawn was more than just my coach; he was my mentor, my confidant, my
friend, and the older brother I never had. On his first day of chemo, Shawn
posted this photo to Instagram announcing his battle with cancer and
foreshadowing the strength and tenacity he would maintain throughout his long
journey.
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| A new adventure begins. #KuykenStrong |
For
Shawn, this wasn’t just another bump in the road, it was a new adventure – and
that is exactly how Shawn approached each new struggle that cancer threw his
way. As Shawn’s treatment progressed, the Instagrams continued to come and
“#kuykenstrong” took on a life of its own. Sadly, after eight long months,
Shawn passed away, but he left behind the legacy that is #kuykenstrong. For
those who knew Shawn and those who were rooting for him, #kuykenstrong was so
much more than just a simple hashtag. At Shawn’s memorial service, his family
distributed “KUYKENSTRONG” bracelets to all those who attended as a way to
remember Shawn and provide a tangible connection to him every day.
Now it’s been a year since
Shawn passed away. It’s been a year since I received my “KUYKENSTRONG” bracelet
and not a day has gone by that I have not worn it. My “KUYKENSTRONG” bracelet
isn’t just a connection to Shawn, it’s a reminder. It’s a reminder of Shawn’s
incredible character and unwavering fight. It’s a reminder of how I should
strive to live my life each and every day.
It’s a reminder to never take myself too
seriously.
Shawn was known for his sense of humor and whether he was telling Laffy Taffy
jokes during water breaks or coining new terms like “bazilly”, I can honestly
say I never walked away from being with Shawn without having laughed at least
once. He knew when and how to laugh at himself, and in watching him laugh at
himself (and sometimes me), I learned how to do the same. I learned that the
most embarrassing things are often the funniest. So whether I am walking into
walls or wiping out in a room full of people, you can find me with a smile on
my face and breaking out into laughter. When I start to take everything too
seriously, all I have to do is look down at my “KUYKENSTRONG” bracelet and I am
immediately reminded that whatever I’m facing isn’t the end of the world.
My
“KUYKENSTRONG” bracelet is a reminder of unyielding faith. Throughout
his entire battle with cancer, Shawn never gave up hope. He trusted in God and
believed that God had a plan. His unwavering faith in the face of such great
adversity is a constant inspiration to me and I hope that in the most difficult
of times, I, too, can demonstrate this insurmountable faith and trust. When it
seems like nothing is going as planned, I simply turn to my bracelet as a
reminder that there is a greater plan and that everything happens for a reason.
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| "Chemo Daggers" #KuykenStrong |
Most
importantly, it’s a reminder to never give up. In the near decade I knew
Shawn, I never saw him give up. He never gave up on his dreams despite the
countless injuries that ended his professional soccer career. He never gave up
during his fight with cancer and he fought until the very end. To me,
#kuykenstrong will always represent a never-ending fight. Each day that I wear
my “KUYKENSTRONG” bracelet, I am reminded to never give up and fight through
every challenge thrown my way, no matter how big or small. Shawn showed me the
importance of not letting small obstacles in life stop me from succeeding; he
taught me that to make it in life, I needed to tough it out at the hardest
moments because in the end everything would work out. Whether it’s a run that’s
kicking my ass or a day where everything seems to be going wrong, I remind
myself of Shawn’s determination and fighting spirit and motivate myself to push
through and work that much harder. While my challenges may not be as life or death
as Shawn’s cancer was, I keep fighting just like he did.
So
what is #kuykenstrong? To me, #kuykenstrong embodies Shawn – his faith, his
humor, his Fa'Shawnable attire, his spirit, and so much more. My “KUYKENSTRONG”
bracelet reminds me of all the life lessons Shawn taught me; it reminds me that
Shawn is always with me; and, it reminds me why I Relay. I Relay because for
too many people, cancer finishes the fight. I Relay to remember and celebrate
the lives of everyone I have lost to cancer and work to help finish their
fights. I Relay because today, and every day, I am #kuykenstrong.
P.S. To learn more
about Kuykenstrong, Shawn, and the foundation that is carrying out his final
wishes, please look at their website
RelayLove,
