Randy Pausch, Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, Alice Project, Wonderful Father

 http://www.justonekindact.com  :  I watched the full one hour plus video and was truly impressed by this man's love of life, his family and his passion.  His short life touched so many who aren't even aware.  I thank his family for allowing this video to continue and wish them the very best life has to offer and pray for a cure for pancreatic cancer.

Randy Pausch was a professor of Computer Science, Human Computer Interaction, and Design at Carnegie Mellon University. From 1988 to 1997, he taught at the University of Virginia. He was an award-winning teacher and researcher, and worked with Adobe, Google, Electronic Arts (EA), and Walt Disney Imagineering, and pioneered the non-profit Alice project. (Alice is an innovative 3-D environment that teaches programming to young people via storytelling and interactive game-playing.) He also co-founded TheEntertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellonwith Don Marinelli. (ETC is the premier professional graduate program for interactive entertainment as it is applies across a variety of fields.) Randy lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on July 25th, 2008. 

 
50 Simple Things
You Can Do
To Save
The World

As mentioned on the last page of The Last Lecture, the full acknowledgements have just been posted HERE.

Is your book club reading The Last Lecture? Get the discussion guide HERE.

 

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World Kindness Domination

I have a dream to dominate the world with Kindness. I really believe we can change the world JustOneKindAct at a time. Please join me.  It's not hard.  Hold the door open for the next person coming or going into our out of a store, return a grocery cart, help a handicapped or elderly person, a mother with young children in tow.  You can visit a nursing home, take a meal to a sick friend, smile at an old person and say "hello" - for many old or handicapped people, you could be the only person they have had speak to them for the entire day, week or even month.  With so much bad news in the world every time we turn on our radios, open a newspaper, turn on our televisions, it's time for us to make our own good news.  It seems that we all share the horror stories from the news and the number of people breaking the law is growing.  Please join me in making our world a better place by joining the Kindness Movement and together we can make our own good news and make our homes, neighborhoods and world a better place JustOneKindAct at a time.

 
You can order Kindness cards and T-Shirts from our website to spread the word.  The cards literally cost less than a nickel each.
 
Share your stories of kindness with us as well. We want to hear from you.  You are a hero to someone with each act if kindness.
 
Thank you,
 
Shirley
 

Blade Hunter - 7 year old Hero


Posted: 06/09/2010

SHEFFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Vincent Elementary students are grateful their friend, 7-year-old Blade Hunter, is so giving.

Blade couldn't believe when he heard the playground there was set on fire again. This was the third fire in two years there and two of the three fires happened just in the past few weeks.

Blade said he’s mad someone would do this to children, so he donated all of his money with the hope others would do the same. His idea: To get the playground rebuilt fast.

He gave his savings to the school, which was $100, and his plan worked. Local businesses are now donating their money and services to get the new playground done before school starts in August.

http://www.justonekindact.com

 

 

Chris Spielman & Stefanie Spielman. Breast Cancer Heroes, The Ohio State University


Chris Spielman first inspired Ohio State football fans more than two decades ago with his skill as a Buckeye All-American linebacker and winner of the Lombardi Trophy. He now serves as a college football color analyst for ESPN and a sports news host for Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan in Columbus.

A highly recruited high school football player, the Canton, Ohio, native chose to come to Ohio State to play for Earle Bruce. During his college football career, he was a two-time All-American and a three-time All-Big Ten selection as best college football lineman. He still holds the Buckeyes’ record as the career leader in tackles. In 1988, after graduating from Ohio State with a degree in recreation education, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions, playing there for eight seasons. He subsequently played for the Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns before retiring in 1999 with a serious neck injury. His broadcasting career started in 1999, as an NFL studio-show analyst for Fox Sports Net. He joined ESPN in 2001.

When his wife Stefanie’s breast cancer was discovered in 1998, Chris chose to forego the Buffalo Bills’ 1998 season to support his wife. Together, Stefanie and Chris launched The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Recognizing the importance of a strong caregiver to a patient battling cancer, the couple formed Stefanie’s Champions to benefit The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund, as well as the research fund. 

Throughout his wife’s illness, Chris never refused an opportunity to increase public awareness of cancer and to promote the critical importance of medical research. He continues to use his public persona unselfishly to continue the fight so impor¬tant to his late wife 
Chris Spielman first inspired Ohio State football fans more than two decades ago with his skill as a Buckeye All-American linebacker and winner of the Lombardi Trophy. He now serves as a college football color analyst for ESPN and a sports news host for Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan in Columbus.

A highly recruited high school football player, the Canton, Ohio, native chose to come to Ohio State to play for Earle Bruce. During his college football career, he was a two-time All-American and a three-time All-Big Ten selection as best college football lineman. He still holds the Buckeyes’ record as the career leader in tackles. In 1988, after graduating from Ohio State with a degree in recreation education, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions, playing there for eight seasons. He subsequently played for the Buffalo Bills and the Cleveland Browns before retiring in 1999 with a serious neck injury. His broadcasting career started in 1999, as an NFL studio-show analyst for Fox Sports Net. He joined ESPN in 2001.

When his wife Stefanie’s breast cancer was discovered in 1998, Chris chose to forego the Buffalo Bills’ 1998 season to support his wife. Together, Stefanie and Chris launched The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Recognizing the importance of a strong caregiver to a patient battling cancer, the couple formed Stefanie’s Champions to benefit The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund, as well as the research fund. 

Throughout his wife’s illness, Chris never refused an opportunity to increase public awareness of cancer and to promote the critical importance of medical research. He continues to use his public persona unselfishly to continue the fight so important to his late wife. 

Stefanie Belcher Spielman, Distinguished Service Award

Stefanie Spielman is without peer in her courageous and selfless dedication to a cause. During her too-short lifetime, she touched countless lives throughout Ohio and beyond with her grace and compassion.

Stefanie and her high school sweetheart and football hero, Chris Spielman, both attended Ohio State where she majored in journalism with plans to pursue a career in broadcasting. The couple married in 1989.

In 1998, after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Stefanie and her husband decided to go public with her illness and use their prominence in the community to draw attention to the disease and the need for medical research. The couple launched The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research in partnership with Big Bear grocery stores, hoping to raise $250,000 for Ohio State’s Comprehensive Cancer Center-Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Within a short time, the fund raised $1 million and, over the next decade, the Spielmans raised more than $6 million for cancer research.

Inspired by the devoted care she received from Chris, Stefanie formed Stefanie’s Champions, a fund-raising event to honor other caregivers of cancer survivors. The event, now in its 10th year, has raised more than $1 million for The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research. She also created The Stefanie Spielman Patient Assistance Fund to help breast cancer patients and their families who are strug¬gling financially. In 2002, she was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame for her work.

Despite enduring five bouts of cancer recurrence, Stefanie continued to promote breast cancer awareness and support through personal public appearances, speaking engagements, media interviews, endorsements, and, along with Chris, personal financial support. She leaves a legacy of hope and caring.

http://www.justonekindact.com

 

 

Hello Kitty Girl at Aveda Salon in Crocker Park

I met a bright spot in the world today wearing "Hello Kitty" sparkly shoes.  I was at the hair salon and, waiting behind two little girls and their mother, smiled at the little girl in front of me.  I asked if she was six and her mother said almost.  That began the conversation with a brilliant little girl whose heart must have been larger than the shopping center we were in.  I told her that I had admired her purse earlier and she told me about her sparkly shoes and that she and her sister had gotten such cute haircuts.  She then apologized for her "stinky" hands and insisted that she needed some refreshing hand sanitizer and offered me some telling me that it smelled wonderful.  She was right.  That was the best smelling hand sanitizer I have ever smelled !  I wish I knew what it was - I would buy some too !  That sweet child is going to make a lot of lives better.  I don't know her name or that of her sister or mother but they are a remarkable family and compliments and admiration to you mom !  She obviously is an exceptionally kind and loving mother who teaches the same to her daughters.

http://www.justonekindact.com

 

 

 

Rich Nossel of NOZ Graphics

A man who stays in the background and doesn't get a lot of credit for the guidance he gives businesses and friends, it's time to give him a pat on the back.  I've known Rich for many years from a distance and have had a working relationship for the last few years. iI'm honored, now, to call him a friend.  The correct phrase is "what a great guy with a heart of gold."  He goes above and beyond on every project and is uplifting every day.  He freely offers his knowledge to startup businesses or companies floundering and growing.  He provides direction that is amazingly insightful.  Behind all of that, however, is friendship and kindness.  Rich is always ready with a helping hand for friends and family and goes out of his way to thank every soldier that he sees for his or her service to our country.  Thank you, Rich, for your kindness and your friendship. 

http://www.justonekindact.com

 

 

Stan Hardcastle of Music City Mopar from Nashville, Tennessee

I met Stan Hardcastle several years ago through the Music City Mopar Club.  They are an amazing group of people and the funds they raise from their show in September go to charity.  Stan was very much like me, outgoing, never meets a stranger, and we hit it off immediately.  We've been friends since although he lives 500 miles away we e-mail.  A couple of years ago, when a friend was having a raffle for St. Jude's Childrens' Hospital, I asked Stan if he could get anything from a country music person since he's in Nashville - he went WAAAYYYY above and beyond in helping for my friend just because I asked and it's a great cause.  He's involved in his club and community.  When I called to ask if Stan, his family/friends needed help from the Nashville flooding, he said he was fine but that so many were not and that anything that could be sent (clothing and toiletries were the first needs), could come to his house and he would take the packages to his church which had set up a shelter.  No questions asked about the size of packages or quantity, Stan has just said 'thank you' and sent links to where the packages have gone.  All of this is done with a huge and loving heart - but that heart has been surgically repaired and is not the strongest - but it sure is capable of a great deal of KINDNESS.  Thank you Stan.  I'm so glad you're my friend.

http://www.justonekindact.com

 

My Brothers and Sister by Joe Martin

I don't remember a lot about my childhood, but one of the things I do remember is that I loved playing baseball.  My brother was the coach. One night, he told me that if I did good, he would get me a bike and that night after the game on our way home he told me we would go to Western Auto and get my bike.  It was great!  I loved that bike.  Then my mom got real sick and went into the hospital and she stayed there forever it seemed. I had to go stay with my dad and my sister.  My sister would run me to my games so I could play. I didn't get to spend a lot of time with my brothers and sister.  We were we was told not to hang around each other.  It was good spending time with my sister when we was together.  Then she finished school and went on to college and then later on got married. We all went our seperate ways.  Again I went back home to Mom when she got out of the hospital.  Later on, after Mom passed on we all went our seperate ways again and years passed.  Then one day my phone rings and it's my brother calling and needing help, so i went to his house to help him and while i was working we talked for hours.  It was a nice time just spending time with him.  Then one day out of the blue my phone rings again and it's my sister.  My jaw hit the ground.  I could not believe it.  We talked for hours about her and then about my grand babys.  It was great to hear for her.  It's been a long time since I have talked to her and my brother.  I just want to let my sister and brothers know how much I love them and how much they mean to me. MJM

http://www.justonekindact.com

Carol Burnett and, her daughter, Carrie Louise Hamilton

In her new book, This Time Together, Laughter and Reflection, Carol Burnett quotes her daughter Carrie Louise Hamilton (who died December 2001) as saying:  "More than anything, we are remembered for our smiles; the ones we share with our closes and dearest, and the ones we bestow on a total stranger, who needed it RIGHT THEN, and God put you there to deliver." 


Carrie must have been an amazing young woman. I wish that I had an opportunity to have known her.

http://www.justonekindact.com