Kelcey Harrison Great Lung Run Blog Post 10/12/12: I realize that I probably have not been as forthcoming about the challenges of this journey and I'm sure many of you have wondered what the most difficult moments have been. Side note: I don’t really like to talk about my feelings...scary! So, that’s why this has been so late in coming. Let me put it out there: there have been break-downs. There have been days that I wanted to call it a quits a few miles early or moments when I felt pangs of homesickness, but those have been pretty few and far between. I know that there is an end date and a finish line, and those two things alone make it easy to get through each and every day of this adventure. Add to it the fact that I have met incredible people along the way, have my buddy and savior Sydney with me, and have Jill as my inspiration every day, and it’s even easier to keep my eyes on the prize. That said, there are moments that literally stop me, hands on my knees and tears in my eyes when I remember why, exactly, I am running across the country. When that young, beautiful, strong girl with clammy hands, forever stunted fingernails, and razor sharp teeth left this world, we lost someone incredibly special. She was special to so many in very unique ways and the pain of that loss can sometimes overwhelm me at an unexpected moment. Especially over the last month, since Sydney's and my routine has become so consistent, (our routine outlined here, in case you missed that post) it has been easy to think less about the reason that I am doing this run: to honor my friend Jill and to beat lung cancer. It is in the moments when I have allowed myself to truly remember Jill and that I am far from being the only one who lost her, that I have become weak in the knees and shed a tear or two ten. These moments are sad, sure, but I'm not trying to elicit sympathy or make you feel sorry for me. Mostly, because I am not the only one who loved and lost her and what often pains me is thinking about how the rest of her loved ones— parents, family, and friends, also go through each day without her. When we lose someone we sometimes catch ourselves remembering that we are sad at inopportune times. That we miss that person immensely, and that we cannot figure out how or why they are simply, physically gone. In many ways I am grateful for these moments because they mean that I can still picture Jill vividly and that my memory of her is still so close to the surface; that while she may be gone, our collective memories of her keep her around—that giggly, curious, active girl we all grew to love so, so much. In all other aspects, and throughout almost the entire run thus far, I have been pretty positive. I believed that it would all work out and it largely has. I believed that people would be supportive and they have. I believed that it would garner some new attention for lung cancer and it has. But, I have to admit, somewhere in Indiana a terrifying thought occurred to me. It is the only other thing, aside from those overwhelming memories of Jill and our combined loss, that has caused me to cry on the side of the road. Somewhere just before Louisville, KY, my mind was wandering as usual when I suddenly thought, “what if nothing changes after this run? What if no one really pays attention and this run has no impact whatsoever on the future of lung cancer? What if I fail Jill by not making people care enough?” I stopped in my tracks. It was the first time I really allowed myself to think that the Great Lung Run might not "succeed". Luckily, I have incredible people around me who buoyed me back from the bottom and reminded me that we were already reaching new people and providing great education about lung cancer. I have my parents and my extremely wise older sister to thank for quickly reestablishing my positive outlook. The point is, difficult things happen in life. We lose people we love, we endure life's challenges, we go through tough times, and sometimes, we just have to cry or scream or whatever. The important thing is that we acknowledge these moments, take a deep breath, and then remember the bigger picture: to get the word out about lung cancer BIG TIME, and to beat lung cancer for everyone. VISIT THE BONNIE J. ADDARIO LUNG CANCER FOUNDATION WEBSITE VISIT THE JILL'S LEGACY WEBSITE VISIT THE GREAT LUNG RUN WEBSITE
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by Ben Leach Originally published Online at OncLive.com on Friday, October 5, 2012. Bonnie Addario Nine years ago, Bonnie J. Addario was a successful fifty-something California businesswoman whose active lifestyle was being disrupted by persistent chest pain. Her doctors thought the pain stemmed from a bulging neck disc and, after months of fruitless exercising and frustration, she decided to pay for her own full-body computed tomography (CT) scan. As it turned out, she had stage IIIB lung cancer. Addario emerged from the trauma of her cancer journey with a desire to improve the experience for others. “It shouldn’t be that hard to get a good diagnosis and get good care,” Addario said during an interview at the 13th International Lung Cancer Congress. “There needs to be a change. And I am determined and committed to being a critical part of making that happen.” Today, Addario’s name is synonymous with ground-breaking research and meaningful support for patients. In 2006, she established the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation, which has raised more than $9 million. In 2008, the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute was established as a nonprofit research consortium among top institutions spanning North America and Europe. Addario’s foundation also sponsors a lectureship award, which “recognizes luminaries in the quest to eradicate lung cancer” and supports a keynote presentation at the International Lung Cancer Congress. In July, D. Ross Camidge, MD, PhD, director of the Thoracic Oncology Clinical Program at the University of Colorado Denver, received the fifth annual award. As Addario has gone from patient to survivor, she has learned much about what patients are looking for in terms of information and care. Through her organizations, she is determined to play a part in helping patients with lung cancer achieve better outcomes. “There really is no consensus on standard of care for lung cancer like there is for breast cancer, for instance,” Addario said. “And because there’s such a good standard of care for breast cancer and early detection, the five-year survival rate for early-stage disease is about 90%. That’s where we need to be for lung cancer.” Conducting Her Own Search for Care Addario found that even after she was correctly diagnosed, she had to search for answers on how best to be treated. At first, she was told the tumor was in such a difficult position that a biopsy could not be performed. “It was too close to my heart for them to get in close enough to get any tissue,” she recalled. “So then they told me that the only option really was surgery to see what was in there, and that just didn’t sound good to me. You’re going to cut into my chest and explore?” By chance, Addario read a newspaper story about a partnership between Melissa S. Lim, MD, medical director and founder of Redwood Pulmonary Medical Association and a doctor at Sequoia Hospital, and David M. Jablons, MD, a professor in the Department of Surgery at the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco. The partnership allowed the pair to see difficultto- treat patients. “They recommended a chemotherapy/radiation combination to reduce the tumor as much as they could. And then if that was successful, they would consider surgery,” Addario said. “We got to that point. I had all of the therapy, and David said that it’s still very difficult and it’s a challenge, but if you’re up to it, I am. He said, ‘Because if you don’t have it, you for sure won’t live.’ So we did it. We had the surgery, and I’m a grateful patient.” After she was diagnosed with lung cancer, Addario found out that her own family has a history of lung cancer; her mother, in fact, was diagnosed with the disease after she was. As a result, her foundations aim to advance both emerging research and patient support. Connecting Patients With Information The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute focuses on collecting and analyzing tissue, blood, and plasma samples from patients treated through community hospitals. “Patients are not getting molecular testing at the rate they should be,” Addario said. “Many deserve a targeted drug, and they’re not being given a targeted drug because they’re not being given the testing. So our goal there is standard of care.” The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation concentrates on fundraising and public awareness campaigns. The first campaign was designed to raise awareness about getting CT scans to diagnose lung cancer. It has since grown into a resource network for patients and their families, with a particular emphasis on using the Internet to connect to resources. In June, the foundation launched its Lung Cancer Living Room, which consists of live stream broadcasts of an interview with an expert every third Tuesday of the month; patients and their families can type their questions and get answers from the doctor immediately. Addario estimates that about 1700 people tuned in to one broadcast. “There’s a breast cancer support group on every corner. Finding a lung cancer support group is not as easy. More often than not, when a patient is in treatment, it’s very difficult for them to travel any distance of any kind, and come at night because most people are still working, too,” Addario said. “Now we’re able to bring it home to them in their living room, where they can relax and have a cup of tea.” Addario believes that one of the biggest hurdles to better lung cancer care is the stigma surrounding the disease because of its association with smoking. She said that the negative perceptions contribute to a lack of resources being channeled into studying causation and prevention. “I never ask anybody if they smoked or not,” she said. “The worst possible thing that can happen to you is that in one moment you hear you have cancer—I don’t care what kind it is—and, oh, by the way, you should be ashamed, too, because you brought it on yourself. “We need to work on smoking because I personally think it’s not a good thing for anyone to smoke, but we shouldn’t take it out on people who have cancer,” Addario said. “We need to take just as good care of these people as we do any other patient with any other disease.” 10/2/2012 34-Year-Old Mother And Lung Cancer Patient Teams Up With The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation For Frys.com Golf Tournament (October 8-14, 2012)Read NowNatalie DiMarco, Daughter of Fry's Electronics CEO John Fry, Rallies Supporters to Raise Monies to Eradicate Lung Cancer SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Natalie DiMarco is on a mission: to get the attention of First Lady Michelle Obama, Ellen DeGeneres, NBC Today Show's Natalie Morales, Howard Stern and a celebrity roster of high-profile media influencers (and the world) to stand up and pay attention to lung cancer. Almost immediately after being diagnosed with lung cancer, the North Bay, CA mother of two launched her personal campaign to beat the disease, and to tweet to get the attention of media influencers and proactively spread the word. She's also focused on improving all aspects of her life, both physical and emotional. She tweets the media stars with a heart-tugging message that includes a photo of her five and three-and-a-half-year-old daughters, Nicole and Megan: "Here are my two beauties promoting awareness for me, a non-smoker lung cancer survivor at age 34." DiMarco is bringing her team of supporters - Team Natalie, to the "Frys.com Open," Oct. 8-14, 2012 at CordeValle Golf Club, in San Martin, California. Frys.com has been a strong supporter of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation (BJALCF), which has been earmarked as the featured charity on Oct. 13th at the tournament. The foundation has been a lifeline to DiMarco and her family since her diagnosis. For DiMarco, a non-smoker, the mission to spread awareness about lung cancer is personal and passionate. In March 2010, on her daughter's first birthday, and after months of numerous doctors misdiagnosing her constant cough and inability to catch her breath, she was dealt a bitter blow: Stage IV lung cancer. "It took me a long, long time and several different doctors and two biopsies before I was diagnosed properly," she said. "My first thought after hearing the news, was what was going to happen to my daughters?" My next thought was: "OK what do we have to do?" Today she is determined to fight the disease and help the 1.6 million people who will be diagnosed worldwide with lung cancer this year. Only 15.5 percent will survive. She is determined to quadruple the survival rate. "We need an army behind us to let the world know what lung cancer patients face and to get the medical community to start aggressively diagnosing and treating this cancer fast," she says. "Lung cancer is an epidemic and I believe we need to rally and do whatever we can to spread the word about how many people this disease is hurting." DiMarco is making an impact. For two years in a row she has brought together Team Natalie at the BJALCF San Francisco 5ks in Golden Gate Park and with about 100 team members each year, she has raised nearly $45,000 so far. "We are thrilled to be the featured charity of the Frys.com Open," said Bonnie J. Addario, founder of BJALCF and 7-year survivor. "Natalie hopes through telling her story that everyone will be encouraged to speak up about lung cancer and not be afraid of the stigma. She gives a powerful voice to all lung cancer patients, especially those diagnosed so young. It shows we are standing up to fight this disease-an epidemic, and together we can bring hope home. You can join Natalie in the fight against lung cancer by participating with us in Fry's.com Open." Currently Natalie is being treated at the Stanford Cancer Clinic and has undergone 39 cycles of chemotherapy - distributed every three weeks. She is also receiving an aggressive Eastern energy-healing regimen at Wu's Healing Center that includes: meditation, organ massage, yoga, herbs, breathing techniques, eating local organic foods and removing the upsetting drama in her life. It has been vital to her progress that she is part of the treatment team with her doctors and they all collaborate with each other. Key to her treatment is the emotional support she and her mother, Teri, have received through the Bonnie J.Addario Lung Cancer Foundation. Determined to accompany and support her daughter on her journey through cancer, Natalie's mom, Teri, is a regular attendee at the foundation's monthly support group - The Lung Cancer Living Room®. The foundation connects patients, physicians, researchers and all involved in lung cancer to work collaboratively and most importantly to share the latest breakthroughs to give patients like DiMarco a voice and access to the best treatments. "The foundation has been a godsend for me and my family," says DiMarco. "I was blessed to go all over the county and learn about cancer. I want others to realize that the foundation is the place to go for lung cancer patients. If I hadn't gone there, I wouldn't have met my doctor and learned about all the tools and techniques I am using. Other patients don't know BJALCF is the place where they can be connected to the best treatment out there." She added: "My focus is that this cancer is a blessing. If I hadn't been diagnosed with cancer, my kids would have never learned about nutrition and how diet and exercise can play a significant role in balancing your body and in making mommy feel better again. My kids will be healthier and stronger because of all of this. " About the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation BJALCF is one of the largest philanthropies (patient-founded, patient-focused, and patient-driven) devoted exclusively to eradicating Lung Cancer through research, early detection, education, and treatment. The Foundation works with a diverse group of physicians, organizations, industry partners, individuals, survivors, and their families to identify solutions and make timely and meaningful change. BJALCF was established on March 6, 2006 as a 501© (3) non-profit organization. SOURCE Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved 9/27/2012 The State of Georgia Releases the First Lung Cancer Awareness Specialty License Plates in the CountryRead NowTina Pink Proceeds to benefit the Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund and their efforts to support research and awareness. Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) September 27, 2012 // On Monday, September 24th, the state of Georgia released the first specialty license plate in the country specifically dedicated to lung cancer awareness. Now drivers can alert fellow motorists that, in Georgia, lung cancer matters! The plates are now available exclusively through The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund. Georgia drivers can learn more and begin the process of getting theirs at http://www.LungCancerLicensePlate.org. The license plate is sponsored by The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund, a non-profit based in Atlanta that raises awareness and research funds for the number one cancer killer in the world. The process to create specialty license plates in Georgia typically takes nearly two years. The state requires either 1,000 plates to be presold or an up-front payment to be made to cover the fees for those plates. Through The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund's fundraising efforts and the incredible generosity of their supporters, the Gaeta Fund was able to make the payment needed and to the get the bill before the legislature in a matter of months. State Senator Sean Jerguson (R-Holly Springs) was instrumental in adding the lung cancer awareness language to an existing bill (HB 732). He was alerted to this important cause by his close friend and Gaeta Fund supporter, Jackie Archer. A lung cancer survivor herself, Mrs. Archer is also a former Holly Springs City Councilwoman. In April of this year, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed HB 732 into law. "My mother, Joan Gaeta, died of lung cancer after a three-and-a-half year battle," says Tina Pink, a VP of Fundraising for the Gaeta Fund. "She was most passionate about raising awareness and fighting the stigma of the disease. This plate is a big step in that direction. I know she would be very proud! Now it's our mission to get them on as many cars as possible!" Mrs. Pink's sister, Theresa Andretta, VP of Operations, concurs. "Lung cancer kills more people than the next five cancers combined! Yet, it receives the least amount of funding. We have no choice but to raise awareness and to fight the stigma. These plates are a great way to do that. It is incredible to finally see them on the road!" The $25 plate manufacturing fee, payable to The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund, helps them support ground-breaking research through the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute. ABOUT THE JOAN GAETA LUNG CANCER FUND The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund was created in the fall of 2007 as The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Foundation by her husband and children to raise awareness of the disease, to educate the public, and to be an advocate for research. They also strive to eliminate the stigma of lung cancer and to support survivors and their loved ones in their local community. In July of 2010, they re-launched as The Joan Gaeta Lung Cancer Fund benefiting the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute. Their ultimate goal remains the same: “to eradicate lung cancer.” By partnering with one significant research initiative, they can make a much greater impact in wiping out lung cancer. http://www.forjoan.org ABOUT THE ADDARIO LUNG CANCER MEDICAL INSTITUTE (ALCMI) ALCMI was established in 2008 as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization with the ultimate goal of significantly impacting survival by directly catalyzing and accelerating discovery of new and more effective treatment options for all lung cancer patients. Presently, ALCMI has 13 academic and community medical centers in the United States and Europe closely collaborating on cutting edge research initiatives. http://www.alcmi.net ABOUT LUNG CANCER
The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute Congratulates Congress for Supporting Strategic Translational Research Investments for Lung Cancer By: Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute via PR Newswire SAN CARLOS, Calif., Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI) joins the pancreatic cancer patient community in congratulating and thanking the U.S. House of Representatives for unanimously passing the Recalcitrant Cancer Act (H.R. 733) yesterday. This important bill will bring a much-needed strategic scientific and research investment focus on lung cancer and other deadly cancers by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The bill is now before the U.S. Senate for its consideration and vote this week. As a patient-founded translational research consortium, ALCMI was able to additionally contribute the lung cancer researcher and clinician perspectives to the bill's sponsors, in conjunction with cancer patient advocacy organizations. The resultant revisions additionally encompassed lung cancer, which is by far the U.S. and world's number one cancer killer. "We applaud the bill's sponsors, Representatives Leonard Lance (NJ-R) and Anna Eshoo (CA-D), and also thank the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network for initiating the effort that resulted in the Recalcitrant Cancer Act," said Steven Young, ALCMI's President. "With the fact that lung cancer patients' 5-year survival rate has remained essentially unchanged at a dismal 15% for the last forty years, lung cancer is by definition recalcitrant." More than 160,000 Americans are projected to die from lung cancer in 2012, taking more lives than the next top four cancers (colon, breast, pancreatic and prostate) combined. The lack of progress against lung cancer has resulted from a number of factors, including the genetic complexity of these tumors coupled with disproportionately low federal research investment. This bill addresses a serious and urgent public health issue. "By prioritizing lung and pancreatic cancers as the two leading, ineffectively-treated causes of cancer mortality in this country, we are not just supporting the best science for science's sake. We will now focus the nation's best scientists to do the best science possible in order to decrease death and suffering from these two major health problems," said David Carbone, MD, PhD, Ohio State University; Chair of ALCMI's Scientific Leadership Board. ALCMI and the lung cancer patient community are elated that Congress and the NCI have taken a key step forward to address these challenges. "As a lung cancer survivor, I urge the Senate to unanimously pass this bill this week," said Bonnie J. Addario, Founder of the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation and ALCMI. "On behalf of the lung cancer community, we also ask President Obama to sign the bill, once passed, and help us drive research against lung and pancreatic cancers. We didn't ask to be diagnosed with cancer but we are asking for your help finding a cure." About the Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI) ALCMI, as a patient-founded translational research consortium, was established in 2008 to directly catalyze and accelerate the discovery of new and more effective treatment options for all lung cancer patients. ALCMI has established a centralized, standardized biorepository with associated clinical data to serve as a resource to investigators within and without our consortium member institutions. Presently, 15 leading academic and community centers in the US and Europe have contractually joined together under ALCMI's leadership, collaborating on cutting edge research initiatives. For more information on ALCMI please contact Mr. Steven Young, President at 203.226.5765 or syoung@alcmi.net. http://www.alcmi.net/ About the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation BJALCF is one of the largest philanthropies (patient-founded, patient-focused, patient-driven) devoted exclusively to eradicating lung cancer through research, early detection, education, and treatment. The Foundation works with a diverse group of physicians, organizations, industry partners, individuals, survivors, and their families to identify solutions and make timely and meaningful change. BJALCF was established in 2006 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and has raised over nine million dollars for lung cancer research. For more information on BJALCF, contact Mr. Scott Santarella, President & CEO, at 203.858.7032 or ssantarella@lungcancerfoundation.org. www.lungcancerfoundation.org SOURCE Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute On July 29th, Kelcey Harrison took off from NYC & began running across the country, averaging 30 miles/day until she reaches San Francisco in November. Follow Kelcey on twitter.com/greatlungrun or at thegreatlungrun.com. Hank Baskett says he’s “not looking in the rear-view mirror” when it comes to his former NFL career. The reality TV star is now focussing on important projects such as partnering with the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation to tackle this No. 1 cancer killer. With his father, Hank Baskett II, undergoing treatments for lung cancer, Hank III says teaming up with the foundation has been “one of the greatest decisions” he’s ever made. The former athlete opens up to Celebrity Baby Scoop about his father’s battle with cancer and his “extremely positive” outlook that has kept them going. He also talks about his beautiful 2-year-old son “Little Hank,” a full-on “mama’s boy” who “gets mad” if he goes in to hug or kiss his wife Kendra Wilkinson. The doting daddy goes on to talk about the possibility of baby No. 2 and how motherhood has caused him to ”fall more and more in love” with his gorgeous wife. CBS: Tell us about teaming up with the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation. Tell us all about the fundraiser. HB: “Teaming up with Bonnie and her foundation has been one of the greatest decisions of my life. I am very fortunate that they reached out to me and invited me to their gala a year ago. This was the foundation to a relationship that will continue to grow for many years to come. It has already impacted my family’s life in such a way that cannot be described in words. Another great attribute of the foundation is that they are dedicated to proving the misconception that all lung cancer victims smoke. That is why there is not enough awareness because the first question asked to a lung cancer patient is, ‘Do/did you smoke?’ This year I created the Hank Baskett Classic golf event which was held at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. I partnered with the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation because I truly felt that they are a foundation that is 100% dedicated to finding a cure and helping all those that they can along the way. What else I love about their foundation is the fact that they understand that to change the lives of millions, you must first change the life of one! And that they have done numerous times.” CBS: Why did you get involved with this cause? Have you ever smoked? Are you against people smoking? What would you do if Little Hank smokes one day? HB: “I became involved with the fight against lung cancer because in April of 2011 my family found out that my father, Henry ‘Hank’ Baskett II, had be diagnosed with lung cancer. This came as an unbelievable sucker punch to us all. Although it was the worst news my father had ever heard, he still remained his extremely positive self. And that right there was what got my family through the beginning stages. The battle against cancer starts with your attitude and my father has the greatest one of all. He told us day in and day out that he would not let cancer beat him and that his only wish was to see Little Hank, my son, at least once a month. So he decided to receive his treatments out here in Los Angeles. I have never smoked cigarettes. I guess the fact that I grew up with severe asthma gave me a good excuse not to. I can’t say that I’m against people smoking because this is America and we all have our freedoms and rights. As with everything, if you’re respectful of those around you there’s a way to make almost everything coexist. It’s all about respect. At the end of the day we make our own decisions, yet with smoking your decisions do not only affect you. A majority of the time it’s not the ones smoking that are affected, but more so those that are standing nearby. If I found out Little Hank ever smoked we would have a very long conversation. If it’s while he’s an adult all we can do is talk to him and let him know the consequences of smoking. If he tries before he’s 18 there’s definitely some consequences that will occur that he probably won’t like!” CBS: How’s Little Hank doing? What is he into these days? What does he do to make you laugh? HB: “Little Hank is doing amazing! He is currently going to school everyday and the strides he’s making in life are incredible. His vocabulary grows by the day and so do his social skills. There are so many things he does to make us as parents laugh, yet to others we get that funny look as we try to explain it. The thing that makes me laugh the most though is that now he is so protective of Kendra, that he won’t even let me give her a hug or kiss! Only he can do that to his mama! He gets mad if I get to close to her. Its frikkin’ hilarious!” CBS: How has fatherhood changed you? Are you hoping to have another baby soon? Would you like to have a girl the second time around? HB: “Fatherhood has given me an entire new sense of why I was put on Earth. When I married Kendra, I knew that I was dedicating my life to her and her happiness. But when you have a child you truly understand what it means to put yourself last. Whatever it takes, I’m going to make it happen for Little Hank to never have to go without, yet understand the importance of earning his way. Too many kids now are not taught that you must earn things in life and that it doesn’t always just come easy. The sense of entitlement is handed out relatively too often. The thought of another baby crosses our mind often. We just want to make sure that the timing is right for our lives. We are both making major career moves and we want to ensure that a new addition to the family would receive the rightful amount of attention, support, and most importantly love that the baby would deserve. I think it will be sooner than later, but who is decided when sooner begins?! Girl or boy, we would just pray for healthy. Yet as a father, a little girl will make me lose the remaining hair I have left, especially if she looks like Little Hank!” CBS: In your eyes, what kind of mother is Kendra? Have you fallen even more in love with her since she became a mother? HB: “Kendra is an amazing mother and I knew she would be. That is why I decided to ask her to marry me, because I knew all she truly wanted in life was a family and to be a mother is something she always wanted. She is very hands on and has been instrumental in Little Hank’s early developments. Watching her grow as a mother has no doubt caused me to fall more and more in love with her. There’s nothing like watching the woman you love spend time with your child. She gets mad at me when I sit back and just stare at them. A mother’s love cannot be compared to anything. No matter how much I may love Little Hank, there’s just a uniqueness between Kendra and Little Hank. This is coming from a mama’ boy himself!” CBS: What can we expect in the upcoming season of Kendra on Top? Will there be lots of footage with you and Little Hank? HB: “This season of Kendra on Top has been a lot of fun. We are on a new network, WEtv, and the show has grown to new measures. You’re getting to follow Kendra in her new ventures as a successful businesswoman. You get to see me and my arc of moving on from a professional football player to businessman, which hasn’t been the easiest thing at times. And most of all you get to see Little Hank’s newest milestones. He is his own character and pesonality now and that’s what fans have fallen in love with. He is a little star.” CBS: What’s up next for you? What are your hopes and plans for football in the future? HB: “I have moved on from the NFL and it has been a great transition – I’m not looking in the rear-view mirror. I fully enjoyed my time playing in the NFL but there comes a day that it comes to an end. And I’m not one of the players that is going to try and hold on for 1, maybe 2 more years while other opportunities are coming my way. When you spend too much time looking at the door that’s closing you lose track of the many more that are opening up. That’s what I’m trying to do, stick my head in as many of them doors that I can until I find out what’s the next best step for myself. This can all be seen on this season of Kendra on Top. I wanted to let people see that there are plenty of NFL players that will continue to work once their careers are over.” CBS: Little Hank was voted one of our favorite celebrity toddlers in our recent Readers’ Choice Awards. How does it make you feel that Little Hank has ‘fans?’ Is he scared by the paparazzi? HB: “I find it pretty funny that Little Hank has fans. Definitely never expected this when I thought of having children. But it’s been good. What’s funny is he doesn’t mind the paparazzi at all. In fact there are times where he will notice them even before we do. Most of the paparazzi that have shot Little Hank have been very understanding and respectful. They know not to come between us and him and to keep the proper distance.” |
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