Team Finn is a group of people who originally came together to help and support Finn and our family after Finn was diagnosed with cancer in 2007. It grew from a relatively small group of friends and family to an incredible international support network of close friends, acquaintances and even strangers dedicated to making a difference in the life of one small and very special boy, his very special brother and very special sister, and his mom and dad.
The love, care and concern of Team Finn did not die when Finn passed away in 2008. People sought to make a difference to show their love for Finn and desire to help in other ways.
In early 2009, a group of about a half dozen very good friends; friends of ours, friends of Finn, friends who wanted to do something for Finn came together to form Team Finn in the BC Cancer Foundation Ride to Conquer Cancer. Soon that half dozen became a dozen and by June 2009 that dozen became thirty riders, raising over $170,000, having fun and along the way changing people’s lives. In 2010, those thirty riders became a hundred plus riders who managed to raise over a half a million dollars for cancer research in British Columbia. In 2011, the riders were back, this time surpassing the $1 million dollar mark.
It didn’t stop there. Finn continues to touch others and Finnspire them to do remarkable things.
In 2009, one of Finn’s nurses from Boston ran the Boston Marathon for Finn. In 2010, Finn’s cousin pushed herself to complete the San Diego Marathon. Finn has run half marathon’s and climbed hills that looked to big to climb. He has walked and ran and biked all over the world.
Early on our kids expressed a strong desire to be involved. To do something for Finn; to be a part of this. And that is where the Childrun at Children’s Hospital came in. A Team Finn centered on kids being able to participate in fun-raising. It is Captained by Finn’s big sister Sarah and brother Baird. An opportunity for dozens of kids to gather and celebrate Finn and make a difference in the lives of other kids.
The Canuck Place Adventure Challenge came next. An opportunity for Sarah and Baird and Finn’s friends to do something physically and mentally challenging. To do something for Finn and to have fun at the same time. And of course raising funds. The second highest kids fundraising team in 2009. The highest kids fundraising team in 2010 and 2011.
Through all of this, Finn has pushed people to do things they didn’t think they were possible of accomplishing. He Finnspired them to be more. That sentiment was captured eloquently by seven year old Claire in the 2011 Canuck Place Adventure Challenge when swelling with pride she turned to her mother with a beautiful smiling face and said “I can’t believe I am doing this”.
She could and she did.
Having fun is an integral part of what we do and how do it. While we are prepared to attack difficult challenges, we always strive to do so with smiles on our faces. While Finn’s story has made people cry, Finn’s more important legacy is that he reminds people to smile, to laugh, to live. To be better.
Ultimately, Team Finn has earned the highest of all praise. Team Finn is a team worthy of Finn,worthy of a special boy.
And by embracing life and remembering the lessons Finn taught us, Team Finn has turned the unimaginable into the incredible.
