100 Followers!

So, it is a very proud day for me! I've reached 100 followers. When I started this blog I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to do with it and where I wanted to go. Now, two and a half years later I am still not 100% sure but I do know I love writing it and I love it when people comment and tell me what they want to know about.
So far I've met many wonderful people and have managed to accumulate 100 followers!
Zane says he will buy me a treat for reaching this goal. Right now I'm deciding between Leonard Cohen tickets or some new lululemon pants. I've loved Leonard Cohen ever since I saw a show about him in High School. I love his music but most of all, his poetry. My favorite poem of all time is as follows:
“Love is a fire/It burns everyone/It disfigures everyone/It is the world's excuse for being ugly.” by Leonard Cohen.
Thinking about my blog gets me to thinking about my last ordeal in the hospital back in April. It seems like the longer I go between bleeds the harder is it. For the past few months I've felt somewhat normal besides a month long UTI and I've grown accustom to this health life.  Last week I thought I had a hip bleed and I couldn't seem to wrap my head around going into the hospital. I'm praying I can go another 4 months without having to go to the hospital but that's part of the fun I guess not knowing.
Thank you so much to all of my followers I really appreciate you reading and all of your comments Here's to 100 more followers and 100 years of health!

Wheels for the World

So, today Zane and I are curled up watching the Olympics. We are watching the blade runner, Oscar Pistorius run in the Olympics.
Watching this amazing man overcome such a great obstacles reminds me of my friend, Barry.
Barry has certainly had his share of obstacles including Hemophilia and HIV, but being the amazing person he is he decided to do something about it. He began Wheels for the World a bike ride across American to raise awareness about those living with Hemophilia and HIV and to raise money for Save One Life. This non profit organization raises money for those living with Hemophilia and who do not have access to adequate medical care. Read more about it here http://saveonelife.net/.
Barry's goal is to ride more than 3,600 miles and raise more than $50,000.
To date he has raised more than $23,000.  To donate to Barry please visit http://saveonelife.net/wheels-for-the-world-fundraiser-biking.php.
Each day of the race is dedicated to someone we have lost in the Hemophilia community. When Barry heard about my friend John Plater who recently passed away he reached out to me and offered to offer up a day or riding for John.
This is the first time anyone has ever done something like this for Hemophilia.
Every time I see pictures of Barry's smiling face in different locations across the USA I am in awe. Sometimes I get so discouraged I can hardly make it out of bed in the morning but to see someone complete such a heroic, selfless act gives me so much courage.
Please take a minute and donate to this wonderful cause!

John Plater

So, over the weekend we lost one of the greatest advocates we've ever known. I first met John about 5 years ago when I first became involved with the Canadian Hemophilia Society. He spoke at our national youth committee meeting and he was amazing. He was funny, kind, caring and intelligent. Who knew how hard living with Hemophilia is but didn't seem anything but happy and full of life. Over the years I ran into John at various meetings and events. I was always completely in awe him.
John was not only a special person to me but he was a tireless advocate for Hemophiliacs and those living with HIV. He was an amazing Volunteer for more than 20 years and was instrumental in ensuring those affected by the tainted blood tragedy received compensation.
To read more about this wonderful man visit, www.hemophilia.ca.
The Minister Of Health also sent out a press release expressing her condolences, you can read it here http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1014117/minister-of-health-offers-condolences-on-passing-of-john-plater.
The most touching this I have heard since his death is this interview on CBC with his wife Karen.
You can listen to it here http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/episodes/2012/08/01/john-plater-remembered/.
I only knew John for a short time but the work that he did will affect me and other Hemophiliacs for the rest of our lives.
I am forever grateful to him and I am deeply saddened to think he is no longer with us. I will be saying prayers for his family and I will never forget him as long as I live.