From Baseball and Ninja Turtles to Giving Back: My TOUCH Story
From Baseball and Ninja Turtles to Giving Back: My TOUCH Story
At age eight, my biggest worries were mastering my baseball swing and keeping track of my Ninja Turtles figures—until a malignant brain tumor the size of a softball crashed the party. My treatment began at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, where surgeons carefully removed the tumor and I started chemotherapy. Later, my journey took me to Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, for radiation therapy and a bone marrow transplant—definitely not on the original itinerary for my summer vacation.
While I tackled these treatments, my parents quietly shouldered overwhelming bills, shielding me from stress. Years later, I learned our community had rallied around us, offering everything from homemade meals to emotional support, even visits from local heroes like the mascot of the Carolina Mudcats baseball team, who lifted my spirits during my stay at Duke.
Fast-forward to college, when my friend Keith Feltz casually introduced me to TOUCH. The mission resonated instantly—helping cancer patients cover essential non-medical costs was exactly the kind of practical kindness my family once received. I dove in headfirst, volunteering at fundraising events, recruiting sponsors, and perfecting my silent-auction "please donate" stare.
Eventually, TOUCH's Executive Director, Sandy Feltz, invited me onto the Advisory Board. Now, alongside a talented team, I help plan events, secure fundraising dollars, and manage the website—apparently, sarcasm is an undervalued skill in nonprofit tech support.
Why am I still here? Easy: The selfless dedication of TOUCH volunteers is inspiring and humbling. It reminds me daily that community is not a single generous act but countless hands joined together in compassion. It's a privilege to help others the way my family was helped—one act of kindness at a time.
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
— Mahatma Gandhi (and my daily reminder)
Thinking about helping? Just do it. Join a community of incredible people working tirelessly to lighten the load for families facing cancer.
— Brandon Hinds, Advisory Board Member & Sarcasm Specialist
