Operation: Going Gold

If you have visited my page before, you might notice something looks a little different.

If you haven't visited my page before, then you should know that I am TK-66613 of the 501st Legion, Florida Garrison, Makaze Squad, First Imperial Storm Trooper Detachment. I started this blog when my father was diagnosed with multipul myeloma, and I undertook a crusade against cancer of all forms, as well as other diseases. In the time since that decision I have become a soldier in a different kind of war, one that is fought with fundraisers, hospital visits, laughs and smiles, lending a hand, and hope.

During one of the aforementioned hospital visits, which is a part of my service to the 501st legion, I was struck by the sheer number of cancer patients we saw. Then I started hearing the statistics.

From CureSearch.org:

-Every day, 42 children are diagnosed with cancer.
-12% of children diagnosed with cancer do not survive.
-Children's cancer affects all ethnic, gender and socio-economic groups.
-The average age of children diagnosed is six.
-More than 40,000 children undergo treatment for cancer each year.
-60% of children who survive cancer suffer late-effects, such as infertility, heart failure and secondary cancers.

From St. Baldrick's Foundation:

"In the U.S., more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease—more than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and diabetes combined., more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease—more than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and diabetes combined."

"All types of childhood cancer combined recieve less than 4% of U.S. federal funding for cancer research."

September is the month of the year dedicated to pediatric cancer awareness, which is usually signified by a yellow ribbon. So to show my solidarity to the kids and families affected by childhood cancer the Troop for the Cure page is going gold for the month of September. 

Pictured throughout this blog are the faces of children fighting this battle. These are kids who want nothing more than to lead normal, healthy lives. They are children that I have worked with on a one on one basis, raising funds to help with medical bills, sending care packages and encouraging letters, visiting in the hospital, or just giving a smile. These missions are close to me, and these children are close to my heart. When they hurt, I hurt. When they are sad, I am sad. 

But I am a soldier, and soldiers don't cry- they don't mope, they don't lose hope- not in front of the kids, not in front of the parents. Soldiers fight. And that is why, as much as these missions mean to me, as important as is is to smile, and laugh, and ease the burden, it is more important to strike back.

I have completed 2 consecutive years of Operation: Strike back which has raised a cumulative $7,000+ for the american cancer society with my Relay for Life team the Imperial Walkers. But the more I troop, and the more kids I meet, the more I know that this is not enough. These children deserve more than 4% of funding. They deserve better treatment than that which will cost them their quality of life. They deserve progressive, effective treatment for their illness and we are not giving it to them. 

This year I start a new tradition, of participating in the Cure Search walk for pediatric cancer. I am offering stickers for donations of $6 (including shipping worldwide) that bear the Troop for the Cure Helmet and a yellow ribbon. Normally the ribbon is red, symbolizing cancers of the blood, like my father's cancer-- but what started as a battle for my father has grown into an all out war.

Please help me in my fight against this terrible disease. I have 13 days from when this blog posts until my walk. Let's see how much we can raise in 13 days.

When these children soar, I soar. When these children win, we win.

In the war on suffering, we are the soldiers. The weapon is hope.

Never retreat.

Never Surrender.

Never tell me the odds.

-TK-66613

Order Stickers here: Order Stickers

Or make a direct donation here: http://www.curesearchwalk.org/orlando/troopforthecure

Operation: Evan's Experience

**UPDATE**

Final orders have been submitted for the "Cause Warrior" tee to benefit Evan Bublyk. Thanks for all of your support of this great cause!

If you would still like to make a donation to help Evan's dream come true visit Its4Evan or http://www.gofundme.com/Its4Evan.-TK-66613

The Force is a mysterious thing. It's actions are sometimes hard to notice, sometimes hard to understand- but in my experience always deliberate and always very well timed.

I had been mulling over a concept I felt very strongly about that came to the surface back when the reality show "heroes of cosplay" began on the Sci-fi channel. I never saw the show because, well, the death star doesn't have cable, but I experienced the backlash it received through social media for purportedly portraying costumers or "Cosplayers" as vain, selfish drama queens. Many pointed to the efforts of various costuming groups with charitable inclinations such as the various super hero themed organizations and the 501st as 'the real heroes of cosplay', which put me in an awkward position- was I a cosplayer?

Cosplay means many things to many different people (for what the wikipedia gods have to say about it, click here). To me, probably like many others, it was something that people who were really into anime did. It was a dedication not only to extreme fandom but also for retro, period, and futuristic fashion. It was a role play thing, where you could be someone else for a while and play in a fantasy realm. And in retrospect, maybe a lot of those ideas could be related to what I do. I love Star Wars, I love putting on a show for the kids (of all ages) and playing the part. To me those are fun side affects.

So I got to thinking about what about the word "Cosplay" bothered me. The term is, obvioulsy, short for "costumed play". It didn't take long for me to realize that that insinuation greatly offended me. Now for a silly explanation for that sentiment, which might give you an entertaining insight into just how much i have lost my mind. It'll be fun, I promise.

What follows is simply my opinion, and does not necessarily represent the views of the 501st legion, it's members or affiliates.

I don't dress up like a Stormtrooper. I am a Stormtrooper. the beauty of a 501st costume is, simply. I am not pretending to be anyone. When I have my helmet on I am still Adam DeLancett, disgruntled retail manager and patron of all things weird. When I am at work in my camo shorts and metal t-shirt, I am still TK-66613 of the 501st Legion, Florida Garrison, Makaze Squad, First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment. The two things are one in the same. Yeah I am a fan of Star Wars, but moreso, I am a fan of Scott Loxley, the man who walked around the Australian continent in Sandtrooper Armor to raise $150,000 for a children's hospital. I am a fan of the doctors, nurses and volunteers at Nemour's Children's hospital who not only help cure sick kids but make sure it's fun while they do it. I am a fan of Mayor Clayton, the giant Rabbit at give kids the world village who welcomes make-a-wish families to their temporary homes. I am a fan of each an every member of our organization that takes the time to make a smile, who puts in extra money to make a donation, who takes the initiative to make a difference. Every once in a while a kid at an event will say something along the lines of "you're not a real Stormtrooper!", and I will look them straight in the face and say, "Kid, these people here are the real Stormtroopers. Those guys in the movies are just actors playing Stormtroopers. Here we are, doing something, completing missions and making a difference. This is as real as it gets".

I have since accepted that what I do, what WE do as a legion will often be relegated to the world of cosplay. And you know what? That's ok. Cosplay has elevated into a real art form, where extremely talented artists, mechanics, and costumers master their craft and constantly raise the bar of excellence- and magically, simultaneously a growing community that preaches, practices, and praises acceptance, appreciation, and kindness is blossoming. Yes, there are divas, and bullies, and hecklers- there is in every crowd, but it's hard not to notice how much more positive the environment has become, and I think I am justified in feeling that organizations like the 501st have helped steer it in that direction.

But I still trip over that word- "Cosplayer". Yeah, I've got a costume. But more importantly, I've got a cause. And what I do may be fun but it's also a lot of work, and it's a bit demeaning to refer to it as play. Some call it volunteerism. Some call it charity. But it my mind it has always been one thing.

It's a war.

When you are a football fan and your team loses, your friends make jokes.

When you are a fisherman and you lose, you still sat in a boat all day with your friends.

When you are a one of us and you lose, a kid's last wish never happens. A program that desperately needs funding doesn't get it. A child dies. It's a tough hobby. The payoffs are huge, the experience is life changing, and the losses are absolutely devastating. Some may shy away from the aspects of what we do that may get uncomfortable or upsetting, but most rise to face the ugliest, saddest tragedies again and again- not with a gun, but with a joke, a smile, a wave, and a hug.

All of the sentiments I have described above were the inspiration for the new Troop for the Cure t-shirt design I put together just last night. "I am not a cosplayer- I am a cause warrior". And the universe answered me, in the moment when I had pulled it all together, and presented me with a new mission.

The message, forwarded to me by a friend of Evan's Parents:

"My son Evan has Neurofibromatosis Type 1. It's a neurological disorder that causes tumors to grow in the body. He has several large plexiform neurofibroma (tumors) in his pelvic region that are considered life threatening.
Before, Doctors would tell us he would live until he was 18, now we don't know if we have a year left with him. Evan doesn't know how very sick he is and we will not tell him. He deserves to be happy with thoughts of the future and his hopes to become a Doctor.
His health is failing more quickly than we expected. Recently, he was admitted into Hospice in order to get his pain under control and is still under their supervision at home.
We want Evan to experience all the things he wants to do in his life. This page is an effort to raise the money needed to send Evan to Rome to see the Colosseum, see the Grand Canyon, witness the Aurora Borealis and maybe see one more Maroon 5 concert.
Because of Evan's illness, his father must stay home with him and we survive off my modest income. His father and I are both in school full time working hard to provide Evan and his brother with the life they deserve. Unfortunately, we won't have the time to do that for Evan.
We hope that you can help us give Evan the best year of his life. I want him to leave us having experienced all the things he wanted to do."

And the war goes on.

Join me in helping Evan's parents reach their goal. As always 100% of all proceeds go to benefit Evan's family in their most noble of pursuits- to give their child a full life.

In the war against suffering, we are the soldiers. The Weapon is Hope.
Never tell me the odds.
TK-66613



Order your "Cause Warrior" shirts here- http://www.freewebstore.org/Troop-For-The-Cure/22Cause_Warrior22_shirt_to_benefit_Evan/p1645292_12439132.aspx

Shirts are men's cut, 100% cotton and available sizes small to 3XL.
AT THIS TIME WE ARE TAKING PRE-ORDERS ONLY. Once enough orders have been placed we will go ahead with printing the run. Please be patient with us and feel free to pass our mission along, the lower production costs are and the more money we can donate to Evan's wish.

SHIPPING:
Standard shipping rate is for USA orders only.
Please do not select the "pickup" option unless you are in regular contact with TK-66613.
If you are interested in international shipping please contact me at , if you are part of an international 501st Garrison and would like to make a group order we may be able to offer a reduced shipping rate.

Operation: Show Support

For those who are new here, let me introduce myself- I am TK-66613 of the 501st Legion, Florida Garrison, Makaze Squad, First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment. I started this blog a little over a year ago when my father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood cells, to document the mission I undertook upon his diagnosis to dedicate my life to the fight against cancer in all forms. In that year I have delved deep into the the 501st Legion, a worldwide Star Wars costuming group dedicated to charitable causes and good deeds. I have participated in many fundraisers, events, and good will missions including bi-monthly hospital visits and one-on-one Make A Wish events.

 

This year has started off as a busy one, in which I had the privileged of finally meeting my Little Warrior Ethan Paredes, a little boy who was diagnosed with Leukemia on his fifth birthday and who has been my internet pen pal for just about a year. Members of my squad and I organized a special meet and greet with Ethan and his family, and also sponsored a trip to Lego Land for them. I also had the pleasure of heading up a relay for life team called the Imperial Walkers, who raised just over $4.000 for the American Cancer Society.

But the war goes on- and my next mission is very demonstrative to the heartless nature of this terrible disease, an enemy who knows no limits and gives no quarter. Meet Olivia Valentin, a 6 month old girl who has been diagnosed with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. The costs of her treatment have already surpassed $11,000 and with months of treatment left to go it can only get more expensive from here.

The purpose of Operation: Show Support is to lend a hand to Olivia's family in what will no doubt be one of the most difficult times of their life. In order to do just that I have organized a patch run to benefit Olivia's family and help out with medical costs and simple living costs. Please join me in supporting this beautiful little girl in the fight of her life.

The yellow ribbon represents childhood cancer. The patch shows a Sandtrooper being provided air support from three soaring TIE fighters. The aurebesh script in the upper right reads "Operation Show Support". At this time patches are pre-order only, and will be shipped once the run is complete. The image above is a mock up, and the final product may vary slightly. 100% of all proceeds go to Olivia and her family.

You can purchase these patches from my webstore here.

Thank you for reading and for helping me in this mission.

In the war on suffering, we are the soldiers. The weapon is hope.
Never tell me the odds.

-TK-66613