Operation: Strike Back IV

Hello there, troopers! If we have not been formally introduced, I am TK-66613 of the 501st Legion, Florida Garrison, Makaze Squad, First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment. In 2012 my father was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, startlingly less than a week before my wife presented me with a birthday gift that would change my life- funds to begin construction of my own Stormtrooper Armor and a chance to join the 501st, a Star Wars costuming club focusing on charitable action. This began my mission to help those with cancer and other afflictions, their families, and to fight back against this terrible disease through fundraising and volunteer efforts.

And what a ride it has been.

The Imperial Walkers, 2014

2016 was a hard year for trooping for me, with two full career changes and many other personal factors. While I spent less time in armor this year than any other since the formation of Troop For The Cure, my mind was never far from the mission. Everything from hospital visits, online fundraising, sending cards and Christmas gifts, to late night conversations with worried parents- It's amazing how much of Lord Vader's work can be done out of armor.

Hardcore trooping: not as sexy as it looks in the movies.

This past Year's efforts centered mostly around Sean Corona, a little boy I met at a Make a Wish Foundation troop at Give Kids The World Village. His parents were devastated to learn that his neuroblastoma had relapsed and he was now stage four. I, along with many other troopers, began the crusade of fundraising well over $4,000 (I only have my personal figures to work off of- it's probably much more) to help offset the cost of medical bills and missed work to take Sean to his treatments. Aside from this, many troopers (myself included) took the time to send messages, care packages, and make personal visits with Sean during the various stages of his treatment.

Troopers with Sean Corona at a sporting event.

While special interest cases like this, frequent  hospital troops, and events for special needs children have been some of the most rewarding parts of my journey in the 501st, I have secretly always had my sites set on a bigger goal. While I have cherished my time in armor, and the people it has brought into my life, personally and passionately  I long for a day when I can hang that white plastic suit up for good. When there are no more children to visit in the hospital. When there are no more medical bills to raise funds for. When there are no more unopened packages under Christmas trees.

In 2016 troopers mourned the loss of Evan Bublyk, who's life was cut short by neurofibromatosis, a condition that causes tumors in the body disrupting the nervous system. Currently there is no cure.

Such a sentiment has always lied at the core of my mission, and OPERATION: STRIKE BACK has always been my primary initiative since my very earliest days of trooping. In 2012 I founded my Relay For Life Team, The Imperial Walkers, and in the last three years we have raised over $10,000 for the American Cancer Society to aid in their most noble mission of eradicating this heinous disease once and for all. This year we will once again take to the feild, boots on the ground, to stand and fight for our loved ones.

As phase one of OPERATION: STRIKE BACK IV we once again are offering our "Crushing Cancer" tees as well as never before available patches. Please support us in our mission by placing your pre order on my webstore, http://www.freewebstore.org/Troop-For-The-Cure. The faster we meet our minimum requirements the faster we can go to print and get these items in your hands.

Additionally, you can help us by sharing this message with your family and friends, with your squads and garrisons, and harness the powers of social media to once again bring justice and order to the galaxy.

As always thank you for your continued support of the Troop for The Cure initiative.

In the war on suffering, we are the soldiers. The Weapon is Hope.

Never surrender.

Never retreat. 

Never tell me the odds.

-TK-66613