Walking With Heroes

My name is Michael Forbes, and I’m a childhood leukemia survivor of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Thirty years ago, I was the kid in the hospital bed, with an IV pumping chemo into my veins. But today, I’m a husband, a father, and a businessman. Most people don’t know the journey I’ve been on, and that’s okay—I’ve moved past being "the kid with cancer." What I thought was a story of struggle has turned out to be one of hope and support. The path I walked was tough, no doubt about it, but here I am. Now, I’m here to walk that path with others, to champion their stories, and remind them—and all of us—that those stories matter for the ones behind us.

I know we get asked to support a lot of great causes—there are countless nonprofits doing incredible work, and we’re all pulled in different directions. But I’m asking you to take a moment to learn about two incredible honorees and heroes, and to connect with me. Together, we can celebrate their strength, share their stories, and make a real difference.

Meet Brooke Potter and Rowdy, two heroes whose journeys remind us what it means to stand tall when life throws everything at you. Brooke faced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while carrying her first child—navigating chemotherapy and new motherhood all at once. Now, eight years in remission, she’s a nurse, a mom of two, and living proof that hope can triumph over even the toughest challenges.?

And then there’s Rowdy, a 6-year-old boy who loves video games, the outdoors, and T-ball. He’s just like any kid you know—except this summer, he was diagnosed with B-Cell ALL, the same leukemia I battled. Weekly chemo, spinal taps, the works—and through it all, Rowdy’s still standing, smiling, and making the world a little brighter for everyone around him.

These stories aren't just about surviving—they’re about thriving in the face of impossible odds. They’re about laughing and bringing joy when the weight of the world is on your shoulders. And I’m asking for just a few companies or individuals who know that feeling, who’ve seen the heroes in their own lives, to step up and help us make the fight just a little easier for the next generation. Because one day, we hope there won’t be a next person who has to walk this path.

Let’s partner up, share these stories, and show the world what real heroes look like. It’s not always capes and superpowers—sometimes, it’s chemo drips and hospital gowns, but they’re standing strong for their families and themselves. And with your help, we can make sure they’re not standing alone.

Reach out to me, and let’s make something amazing happen. Together, we can be part of their journey and honor the stories of tomorrow’s heroes.

https://llsvisionaries.org/visionaries-year-wichita-0

https://registration.llsvisionaries.org/team-selected/930626