Power of Will (POWER)

For a dear friend of mine, 2010 started with devastating news. The love of her life, the man she knew she would eventually marry, William Hicks, had a life threatening brain tumour and they needed to operate immediately.

Stunned. Scared. Uncertain. We all hoped for the very best and the best is what we, and Will, all received.

Looking back to May 2008 when I first met Will in Brussels, I knew he was something special. Katie, my friend, was there doing a masters and I had the pleasure of spending a week with the two. We visited all the "spots" of Brussels - including the park and bench they sat on during their first date.

In all my life, I have never seen a love quite like theirs. It's just so obviously real and easy. I felt like I was meeting an extension of her - and in a sense - it was like I was re-meeting Katie.

But this is not a story of love.

This is a story about Will(power). Over the last few months of Will's 'battle' or more like victory, through all the radiation and chemo, he would send out regular updates. His positivity, bountiful spirit and love of life kept me in awe - full of admiration.

Here is a small taste of that spirit –

"Hey Tumor, You want to dance??? I want to Tango..This FRIDAY. Bring your best shot Mofo :)…The good doctor is confident he can remove the lil f**ker in its entirety once again. Since its solid, as opposed to the last time when it was more cystic/fluid filled, we are able to use stealth MRI guidance...sounds cool right...That's because it is!!! Minutes before surgery they'll attach a bunch of cool electrodes to my brain, and use what was described as a 'miini pitch fork' (hilarious) to radiologically mark several places in my brain in order to pinpoint certain areas as well as mark boundries to keep me from losing any functionality...Ya we're getting high tech in this fight.

Winston Churchill once said "Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.” While that truth may be hard to bear, I want you to know that I am prepared to continue the fight and bring the pain to this speck of malignant brain. Victory at all costs…..Today's been a wonderful day. Ma, Jaq-o, Lil, and Aunt Ann came over, and Father Griffiths blessed me as we prayed for a successful surgery and victorious road ahead. The Koch family came and hung out for a bit too. I am feeling absolutely unbeatable and if you cant tell I'm freakin AMP'D....lets do this. Please continue to pray, smile, and send positive thoughts our way. United we are UNSTOPPABLE.”

– Will Hicks

Last month, Katie and Will were married in Chicago's Botanical Gardens on a perfect summer day – it was stunning.

Each guest was given a bracelet with WILL POWER engraved in it. Worn proudly, each of us felt privileged to be apart of the 'power of will' movement.




Touched by his energy and warm smile, I am inspired.

Cancer is nothing to be afraid of, it is something that must be conquered.

I learned that from both my father and Will.

Life is precious and worth fighting for.