My name is Brad W. Potterfield and I live in Baltimore, Maryland. I'm forty three years old, married (wife Tiffany) and have been blessed with two beautiful children (Gavin – 5yrs & Kendall – 3yrs). I do not want to imagine a scenario where a life threatening illness affected my family. But I know that it happens to people just like me everyday.

Several years ago, I was sitting alone in a crowded airport lounge in Atlanta. A man asked to share my table and we struck up a conversation. I noticed his St Jude shirt and asked if he worked for St. Jude. The man said he was visiting his best friend’s son who had a rare form of cancer. He told me that visiting St. Jude was an incredible experience; one that changed his life. He explained to me all about the environment for the children; the superior treatment they are given; and how the spirits of all who go there are lifted. He even showed me pictures of Bo Jackson & Terry Bradshaw giving their time to these children. The man closed with saying he would always be a St Jude supporter because of that experience.

We exchanged cards and said goodbye. When I returned home, I was arranging to send a note to this man but, regrettably, I was unable to find his card. I do not believe that this meeting was a simple coincidence. It was a reminder that the time to act is now! I think as a person gets older they start to understand how precious life really is and we have a true responsibility to help others in a positive way.