My practice in making New Years resolutions is not to make them. But over the last few years I have chosen a word to act as a theme for my year. For example "Adventure" was the word for the beginning of the pandemic and the lockdown.
But more importantly my word this year is Courage. And so I have been looking at my life and trying to take the bold steps that will allow my life to feel more fully lived.
Calendly
The first step is a new idea I'm trying out to see if I can do a better job of staying in touch with folks. It's a new calendar booking app. To that end I made an investment in an application called Calendly. It is pretty simple. Instead of the usual back and forth on the subject of when to get together, I send folks a link and say pick a time. I have it set up for short stay in touch type calls, and longer friend discussion calls . Oh and I have it hooked to my zoom account as well so which automagically schedules zoom notices. As well I put in-person lunch and coffee . I'm having a blast with it but I realized that I'm not the best at reaching out and inviting folks to connect or reconnect. So here is the link, https://calendly.com/akpratt Reach out to me and let's talk.
AACR
For several years, I have looked at a program that provides scholarships to patients to attend AACR (American Association of Cancer Reaearchers.) In a bold last minute rush I applied. To my surprise but apparently nobody else's I was successful. So in mid April I will be taking my life in my hands and climbing into a Covid infection incubator and flying to Orlando Florida. I will spend five days with some of the best brightest minds in cancer research in the world. 23,000 of them. I am overwhelmed. My poster called "If I had a Billion Dollars... Gaps and possibilities in lung cancer research funding" is coming together. I grateful to a great mentor in Kimberly Badovinac.
Give A Breath 5K
And finally I am running in "Give a Breath 5K" in early June. All funds raised are going to Lung Cancer Canada and their research efforts. My ask is twofold. I'm looking for some folks to run with. There is a contingent that is walking as well. But it would be nice to start to garner some support and awareness of lung cancer. So come and join me. I also have a modest fundraising goal of $1000. Several of you have already donated. Thank you. https://lungcancerca.securesweet.com/akpratt
I have another post in the hopper. I have a meeting with my oncologist on Friday so an update will be part of that.
Thank you for your prayers and support.