When one talks to Bobbit Suntay, one gets to feel his bursting energy of selflessness. You see, Bobbit lost his wife Jackie in October 2005 to ovarian cancer. Years before that, he lost his parents to cancer, too. His superman-like desire to go on with life despite his many life-altering challenges is remarkable.
His experience did not cripple him. Instead, he used them to better himself and thereby making the lives of others better.
Bobbit is the managing director of Carewell or the Cancer Resource and Wellness Community, which he formed with his wife when she was still alive. Jackie was already battling the Big C when she and Bobbit established the foundation that aims to support persons affected by cancer.
“Carewell is a non-profit foundation that gives persons with cancer, their family and friends access to support groups and counseling, medical consultations and referrals, a library and media resource center, wellness and fun activities, plus the opportunity to join a caring and compassionate network of cancer survivors, caregivers and loved ones,” Bobbit says.
He adds that the foundation is a volunteer-driven organization, and “we offer all our resources, services and programs free of charge to persons with cancer and their loved ones.”
Bobbit says there were three reasons that kept him afloat in those times of trials: his faith in God, the support of his loved ones and Carewell.
“Carewell became my best therapy,” he says.
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Despite the life-changing experiences that came Bobbit’s way, he has maintained a positive outlook in life. He shares with me the lessons he has learned from life. His wit and candor are truly amazing.
“Here are my 20 one-liners on life,” he says. “These are not all necessarily originals but they are one-liners that have inspired me and, in particular, have been inspired by my experiences at Carewell.”
1. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
2. Grace abounds the long way around.
3. Don’t be in a hurry to solve your problems.
4. With God — you have a billion chances!
5. Always choose love instead of fear.
6. When the going gets tough — the tough ones eat chicharon.
7. Count your blessings.
8. Love makes you vulnerable.
9. Always remove the fat from your steak — then fry it and mix it with your rice! Yummmm!
10. A day without chicharon is like a day without sunshine.
11. Your vocation can be found at the intersection of your heart’s deep gladness and the world’s deep needs.
12. Do what you love — the rest will follow.
13. Always make time to stop and smell the flowers.
14. Give hugs often.
15. Tell people you love them.
16. Laugh and smile a lot!
17. Everything created by God is good — especially chicharon.
18. Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous...
19. Be careful what you pray for, you might just get it.
20. Don’t hesitate to say you are sorry.
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On Sept. 27, Bobbit informs, New Balance will be holding its 2009 version of the highly successful Power Runs. This year, the Power Run will be held at The Fort and will encompass the Raising Hope fun runs that New Balance has been sponsoring for the benefit of Carewell for the last two years.
Yesterday, Carewell took part in the Seventh Gabriel’s Symphony event at the Alabang Country Club. This 12-hour multi-sport event featured kids and adult fun runs, kids and women’s triathlons, demonstrations by differently-abled children, and a fun bike ride around Ayala Alabang Village.
The 2009 Raising Hope Power Run is touted to be bigger (target is 5,000 participants) than ever before. Bobbit adds that this year will also be different because Carewell is working together with The Philippine Cancer Society and the I Can Serve breast cancer network, as co-beneficiaries and partners, to make the NB Raising Hope Power Run a venue to raise awareness and support specific projects and activities aimed at addressing the unique challenges posed by living with cancer in the Philippines.
One can join the following events: 21-km, 10-km and 5-km power runs. There is also the three-kilometer fun run/walk for cancer. Registration is ongoing until today at New Balance and Planet Sports outlets, as well as at Runner at Bonifacio High Street, Secondwind at UP Diliman, The Athlete’s Foot at the Galleria and at Carewell in Makati. Please visit www.carewellcommunity.org for regular updates.
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