American Diabetes Association

• You spread awareness of the devastating effects of diabetes.
• You fund life-saving research.
• You provide access to community programs and free resources that help those living with diabetes

Help us in honoring Kirby Rogers by donating to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). He was such a kind and giving soul and would want any gifts in his memory to go towards those in need. Kirby passed away late last night on September 31st due to complications with his diabetes. We ask that instead of sending flowers, food, or gifts to please use that money to donate to the ADA in memory of Kirby. 

Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause.

More information about American Diabetes Association: The Association acts on its mission through a number of critical programs and activities that are directed to a broad range of constituents encompassing consumers, research scientists, health care professionals, corporations and communities 

Kirby was a father to 3 beautiful children each with hearts as big as his. The eldest being Kendel Rogers, followed by Kaylee and Jack. Kirby grew up on a farm and had a great appreciation for life and never took humanity or kindness for granted. The values he so passionately lived by were passed down to each of his children so they could be a living memory of his open and full of love spirit. We are all very sad to say goodbye to his physical self, but are confident that he is in a peaceful place now. Thank you for taking the time to read about and honor the wonderful man that was Kirby Rogers.

If you have any favorite stories or comments about Kirby, please leave them below in the comments.

Like many others, Brett made a mark on my life and my family’s life for the entire 22 years we were lucky enough to know him. Unfortunately, his time on this Earth was cut short by a rapid onset of, and complications related to, meningitis. An otherwise extremely fit and healthy individual, Brett passed away at 54, leaving behind his wife, three children, a grandson and another grandchild on the way, as well as many other family members and loved ones.

It is not hard to understand why Brett was such a well-liked person. As a second father to me, I learned so much about life from Brett. He always had a smile on his face and was quick to have a joke or one-liner. As his son, Ben, and I were growing up, he was quick to tell us if we were out of line, but was just as quick to encourage us to learn and reflect to make ourselves better individuals. He was also the kind of person who could find the silver lining in any situation and showed the utmost consideration for anybody he met. He was an extremely driven and passionate person. Not only did he have time for his own hobbies, but also made time to be involved in everything his children and wife were interested in as well - including school boards, youth sports, Boy Scouts, and numerous other activities. Everybody who was lucky enough to spend time with Brett and get to know him was made a better person because of it.

A few years ago, Brett also took up running and in a short period of time had completed marathons and triathlons. I never had the chance to tell him, but seeing his drive and passion for distance running inspired me to give it a try for myself. This spring I am running my second half marathon and this fall, I will be attempting to complete my first, of hopefully many, marathons. My renewed motivation and inspiration for running is to now carry on Brett’s love for running, as well as his compassion, love, and ability to positively impact so many peoples lives.

My goal is to find even a small way of honoring an amazing person and continuing to practice in the same way he did by touching other people’s lives, and I would be forever grateful for your help. Brett and his family’s wishes are for memorials to be contributed to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), as a number of his family members have been affected by diabetes. Moving forward, all races I complete will be in honor of Brett with the goal of raising money to be donated to the ADA in honor of Brett and his family.

**100% of the proceeds will be donated to the ADA**

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any donation, prayer, sharing of the page, or act of kindness that comes out of this story,

Andrew


More information about American Diabetes Association: The Association acts on its mission through a number of critical programs and activities that are directed to a broad range of constituents encompassing consumers, research scientists, health care professionals, corporations and communities.

Running with Wayne

My dad had a sign in his shop that said, "The good stuff happens outside your comfort zone." So this is me, going outside my comfort zone:


One year ago today (March 10th), I was winding down a month’s long training program to try and qualify for the Boston Marathon. After having narrowly missed punching my ticket the year before, I knew I had what it would take to finally achieve the dream. I was one week out from my goal marathon, the Richmond Marathon, and was feeling great.

Unfortunately, that day I received a devastating phone call that my father had passed away. My brother and I dropped everything and headed to Michigan to be with Mom, my goals could wait. It was in that moment that running changed for me. Before that, running was just a way to blow off steam, prove to myself that I could do something, and keep myself in shape during the winter while not riding my bike. After that day, running became something much more.

Running became my mechanism of processing my grief. It was a place to be alone with my thoughts and memories of my father. A place to pound out my anger, cry out my grief and exhaust myself of the negative emotions. Running wasn’t something I wanted to do for my health and ego, it became something I HAD to do just to get through my day. A place to let it all out so I could get home and put a smile on for the girls and be a good father to my own children. I still get emotional when I run, especially when doing a hard workout. Maybe that'll stop someday. Maybe I don't want it to.

I missed my goal marathon due to Dad’s memorial, but I needed to qualify for Boston more than anything now. I’m a relatively new runner, and due to being stationed far from Michigan, my parents have never had the opportunity to see me run. I had hoped to eventually qualify for a big marathon like Boston or New York, and invite my parents there to see me finish… Now it was too late for my father.

A month after my father’s memorial service, I lined up at the New Jersey Marathon, determined more than anything to qualify for Boston. After running my heart out for 2 hours and 56 minutes, I finally crossed the finish line, punching my ticket to Boston, and narrowly missing qualifying for New York.

I was crying for most of that marathon, which makes running pretty hard, but I remember utterly balling my eyes out for that last mile, sprinting my ass off, as if I ran fast enough, I could see my dad at the finish. What a weird sight that must have been for all of the people that lined the course that day cheering. A grown man, sprinting his ass off and balling. They must have assumed I was really digging deep to finish strong.

They had no idea.

In just over a month, I’m going to toe the line at the 123rd Boston Marathon. My father won’t be there to cheer me on, but he’ll still be running the race with me. I'll carry the love he showed me in my heart always.

To honor my father, I’m raising money for the American Diabetes Association. My father suffered from diabetes for much of his later life, and I'm raising funds to donate in his name to help others.

If you have the means, please consider donating a few dollars to the American Diabetes Association using this page. All proceeds go directly to the association.