In Loving Memory of Lauren Richmond (6/06/1993-12/20/2008)
For five years Lauren fought valiantly to beat chordoma. She remained upbeat, happy and determined to forbid the chordoma from robbing her of her childhood and thus enjoyed life to its fullest. During these years Lauren visited numerous medical centers and touched the hearts of the doctors and nurses that cared for her. Right by her side, every step of the way, were her exceptional parents, Laurie and Dean and her big sister, Dana, who was Lauren’s cherished guardian angel.
Lauren enjoyed painting, drawing and writing poetry. With the encouragement of her English teacher and the generous support of the Marty Lyons Foundation, a book of her poems was published in 2007, called 'Black & Brown Markers'. She found beauty and gave life to the black and brown markers that others left behind. In December 2007, Lauren and her parents were honored as invited guests to the White House where they celebrated Lauren’s poetry with Jenna, Laura and George Bush. A new children's book by Lauren titled 'A Venture to Find Adventure' is currently awaiting publication.
Lauren and her parents were dedicated to finding a cure for chordoma. Lauren personally inscribed and hand signed copies of ‘Black and Brown Markers’ for the 80 physicians and researchers who attended the Second International Chordoma Research Workshop in April 2008. Her beautiful and moving poems were read during the meeting and inspired many to collaborate and work harder to find improved treatments for Lauren and others.
Sadly, Lauren’s tumor moved faster than the science. However her determination to find a cure carries on: The Lauren Richmond Chordoma Research Grant will be awarded for a collaborative research project to Dr. Vijayah Ramesh at Harvard University and Dr. Brian Harfe at the University of Florida.
In addition a new Lauren Richmond Angel Fund has been established to fulfill Lauren’s dream of finding a cure for chordoma. The love Lauren shared with others lives on in our hearts forever, as her poetry continues to inspire us to have hope and make our wishes come true. Below are two of Lauren's poems:
Hand in Hand
"Take my hand and promise not to let go
As long as I feel you there, I know everything will be okay
With your hand in mine I can defeat even the toughest foe
With your hand in mine I will never again reach despair
Fingertip to fingertip your daring power now also flows through me
Thanks to you I now too believe I can become whatever I want to be
With you pushing me on I can accomplish whatever I want to
Due to you I know see myself in a positive view
I see myself conquering mountains and calming winds
I see myself exploring the ocean as if I had fins
I’m beginning to slip so make your grip a little tighter
With your hand in mine I know I can be a fighter
With your hand in mine my future always looks a little brighter"
A Spark is a Seed
"Hope is the spark in your heart
That has the power to carry you away
It is one of the few things that can lead you in a new direction each day
If you travel in the direction that it leads
From a spark into a fire it may bleed
For a little believing is all that is in need
But, in a different light that spark is like a seed
With just a few demands to grow into a tree
Just a few things needed to succeed
So take care and kindle your spark
For if it goes out there will be nothing but dark
The hope sparks your dreams
Until from within you the hope, light and dreams beam
So make sure to help it grow
Until like a wildfire the hope may flow
Hope is the spark in your heart
It is the place where everything forms a start”
By Lauren Richmond