Overcoming helplessness to help others with purpose

Watching someone you love struggle with their health and then find that they have cancer is unbearable - and many of us have been faced with this situation. But, just imagine, if your beautiful 1 year old grandson received that diagnosis.

The overwhelming feeling that you are unable to help is agonising – so finding a creative or different way to help, powered by love and purpose, can sometimes help us deal with life’s greatest challenges. ?This is exactly what my RSM US LLP colleague, Jim Clarahan has done.

Following his grandson Dray's diagnosis of rare form of cancer, Jim set up a charity to raise awareness and funds for the early detection of paediatric brain tumours and cancer.

This year, Jim has embarked on an epic 4-month motorcycle journey, #Ride4Dray. This mission has seen him travel through 37 European countries to raise awareness in each country - and with the support of our RSM’s Member Firms to also raise funds for local children’s hospitals.

His journey finishes in the Emerald Isle, and the #RSMIreland team is supporting his mission with a charity golf day at #PowersCourt Golf Club and abseiling for the Children’s Health Foundation.

Inspired by Jim’s cause, and with my own understanding of having a child with significant health challenges from birth, in addition to the amazing fundraising of my colleagues in #RSMIreland, I have done two: ‘Paintings4Dray – Online Auction’.

All proceeds from the sale of these paintings are being donated to the Children’s Health Foundation. And to do this, I have worked with an innovative ‘purpose for profit’ business, which added other items, whereby anything over the reserve price will also be donated to the cause that I am supporting.

If nothing inspires you, hopefully, Jim’s story and mission will – so you can donate instead to either or both the Children’s Health Foundation or Ride4Dray.

I am grateful to the doctors and nurses who have cared for my loved ones – and while neither Jim nor I have these same medical skills, we have found other ways to use our interests and talents with the purpose to overcome that feeling of helplessness. #childhealth #childhoodcancerawareness?