RUNNING INTERFERENCE

Written by Britt Steele

Have you ever felt like you were facing something so big, so massive, a battle in which you’re already starting out as the overwhelming underdog, that there was almost zero chance towards defeat or victory? I would bet everything on the answer being “yes.” Especially if you, a friend or relative have been diagnosed with cancer. Life is swarming with surprises, full of devastating defeats in the battles lost and overwhelming examples of overcoming the odds in those that are won. The warriors we must become to win, regardless of the size of the feat we face, is what defines us and the champion we each have within.

Speaking of surprises, never could I have imagined what was anticipated to be a casual introduction to Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research (Rally) over coffee a few weeks ago, would result in having such a deep effect on me and my team, ultimately changing the course of this March/April issue in such a sudden, yet exciting, manner.

While I ordered my usual cappuccino, it remained untouched during the almost three hours I shared with Elaine Kay, Director of Rally Nashville and Shelley Logan, Chair of Rally Nashville PR as I was taken on an emotional and captivating tour of their personal stories, all while being simultaneously introduced to the ins and outs of the Rally Foundation, an organization that extends countrywide with a sole focus on childhood cancer research. Both ladies have been personally touched by childhood cancer after Elaine’s 11-year-old son astonishingly became the 27th person in world history to be diagnosed with PNET Ewing’s Sarcoma and the battle with an aggressive cancer that causes tumors to double in size every 24 hours, Burkitt Lymphoma, braved by Shelley’s son.

I sat in awe of not just their stories, but their drive, Rally’s mission and how many families Rally has given unmatched support to since inception in 2005. However, I was more stunned by all that I didn’t know. In modern days, statistics are so easy to come by, even easier to throw around. But if one stops for a second to remember that any of these shocking and saddening numbers actually represents a living, breathing, playful child who is currently engaged in an unsolicited battle with a beast far bigger than those they see on their cartoons, those numbers begin to carry a much heavier weight. When learning that 46 children are diagnosed with cancer every school day, my heart sunk when picking my daughter up from school later that afternoon, as it hit me like a ton of bricks how fortunate I was to be able to pick her up and continue on with our nightly routine when 46 families just had their worlds turned upside down.

During our time together, as I listened to Elaine list off all the incredible souls in Nashville that support Rally and participate with such pride, I threw out what I thought to be an extremely long-shot idea of how great it would be to get a Rally kid with one of the several, very active Tennessee Titans players. Offensive tackle and Rally Angel Taylor Lewan was the perfect fit for our cover, but we never thought it could come to fruition for various reasons. Scheduling for Lewan’s very busy calendar and health concerns for the child to accompany him.

Without hesitation, I watched Elaine type away on her phone and as I saw those three little bubbles dance at the bottom of her text screen, true to form for any believer in miracles, she kindly lifted her eyes up to meet mine and seized the occasion to remind me that “anything is possible.” And she was right. The seconds-later response was from Lewan, asking if that coming Sunday, 72 hours away, would work. And within a matter of hours, we had a full photoshoot arranged and confirmed, Lewan, the Rally kid, the Rally team and mine.

What you see on this March/April issue is Taylor Lewan standing proudly by the side of six-year-old childhood cancer warrior, Rohan. Imagine being a young boy, who, up until one fateful day in April 2019, had only known his biggest worry to be whether or not his mother would let him watch just one more episode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. And then, suddenly, finding himself surrounded by his family in a hospital room with a team of doctors delivering the diagnosis of a rare cancer, neuroblastoma, a soft tissue cancer only children get.

While the news was incredibly difficult to learn, Rohan and his family stayed strong and had no doubt that they would fight this whole-heartedly. They enlisted the support of Rally Foundation and together, they’ve made one extraordinary team. “Rally Kids are our inspiration, and they’re why Rally has funded more than $20 million in dual-peer review research projects from science at the bench (new novel ideas) to clinical trials (new treatments for kids battling cancer),” Founder and CEO of Rally Foundation, Dean Crowe, explains to us.

What has become one of my absolute favorite covers is the result of the magic produced that Sunday, where a bright, beautiful and bubbly little boy challenged Lewan to a race within the first 10 seconds of meeting him before the shoot. You would have never known that over the past year, Rohan has endured surgery to remove tumors, six cycles of chemotherapy, two Stem Cell transplants & twelve radiation treatments.

When I asked why Lewan is involved in Rally, Lewan answered humbly with a smile, “Regardless of your position in life, I think it is so important to give back in any way that you can. When one has a voice that reaches so many, why wouldn’t you use it for good?” He adds, “as a father of a two-year-old little girl, with a second one on the way, the Rally Foundation touches me tremendously. Since being involved in this organization, I’ve learned from the very beginning that it is not just about the money raised, but the moments spent with this kids along the way.” Together with Rohan and Lewan, we can all Rally together and run interference against childhood cancer.

The conclusion of our day that day was only the beginning. It wasn’t only the start of a newfound friendship and an unwavering support system I remain proud to be a part of, but the even more powerful ‘party favor’ I left with was being united, ignited and driven to be involved in the absolute largest capacity within my power; and knowing this publication was perfectly poised to do just that due to its incredibly generous and philanthropic audience.

We hope you can join us at Marathon Music Works on April 30th, 2020 for the 5th annual Rally On the Runway, hosted by Crew Aviation. The evening will feature fashion, food, and the brave Rally Kids as the highlight of the event. The children will showcase Dillard’s Green Hills fashion as they strut the catwalk arm-in-arm with Tennessee Titans Players. The evening will be led by TN Titans defensive captain and five-time Pro Bowl honoree, Jurrell Casey, and his wife, Ryann Casey.

If you are interested in being a part of Rally Nashville or learning more, please email millie@rallyfoundation.org