In January, I lost my dear friend, Mauri Booton, to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It's still hard for me to say that out loud or even to type it.
Mauri had one of those personalities that truly stood out from the
crowd. Sure, part of it had to do with the fact that he always wore two different colored Crocs, tie-dyed Great Harvest T-shirts and the wildest hat collection you've ever seen...but for those of us who knew him, it was more about his generous spirit, the laugh you could hear across any crowd, and his ability to stay positive no matter what was thrown his way, including cancer.
I'm a Field Representative for Great Harvest and I met Mauri and his wife Mary shortly after they opened their Great Harvest Bread Company in Des Moines, IA, over a decade ago. Something just clicked on my first visit and I knew a great relationship had begun. Yep, it was still business, but like many of my relationships with Great Harvest owners, this one grew to be so much more through the years. I am lucky to have a job that allows, or better yet, encourages me to really get to know our owners beyond their bakery lives.
I am often asked what I like most about my job and it's certainly not the hours I spend on airplanes or sleeping in different hotels each night. My reply is always "Hugs from my owners". It's the relationships that make it worth leaving my husband and my own home to spend time out there on the road.
When Mauri was diagnosed several years ago, I swung through Des Moines on a return visit from another bakery to see him at the hospital. He wanted to get out of his room and take a walk. With IV treatments going into his arm, the pole had to come along with us. He slid on his mismatched crocs and took hold of the pole to steady himself. As we were leaving he room he realized he was wearing one of those lovely backless hospital gowns. He asked if I could hold the back closed for him as we walked. As we took the first steps he paused, looked at me and said "This takes the Field Rep & Bakery Owner relationship to a whole new level, doesn't it?" I answered... "Yep, it does. It surely does." We both smiled and started our walk down the hospital hallways.
Mauri's illness unfortunately made it impossible to continue operating his bakery, so they sold their GH to a wonderful family, the Borchardts. But despite the fact that he couldn't work in a bakery on a daily basis, his passion for GH did keep him working with other Great Harvest owners all across the country on everything from music, to helping with websites, to teaching sessions at our annual convention. Great Harvest was simply part of who he was and he loved being a part of our family.
Mauri ‘s mother had also died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the same cancer that eventually took his life. During his treatment and remission, he spent time educating me on the medical progress that has been made to treat this cancer between the time of her death and his own diagnosis. That progress gave him a 3 year remission that enabled him to live - really live - and make a difference in so many lives during that time. He spent those years helping others, raising funds for research and patient support, and sharing his love of life as a volunteer in the same facilities where he was treated. He felt everyone should say "Woo Hoo" at least once a day, simply because "Life is good." I don't want to see Mauri's enthusiasm for life and for this important research fade away.
On April 23rd, Great Harvest Bread Company stores all across the 
country are coming together for "One Day, One Dollar, One Goal... to Find the Cure." This campaign is about continuing Mauri's work in the spirit of helping others. Support has been overwhelming and bakery owners are committing to help at various levels, from personal contributions to baking special products that are being sold with proceeds going to the campaign. Some bakery employees are even contributing an hour of their pay on that day.
You can participate by simply dropping $1 in a container on the counter at a participating bakery on April 23rd. We can all be part of something amazing - finding the cure for cancer. Proceeds go to support Mary's fundraising efforts in the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through their Team in Training program and for a memorial scholarship fund in Mauri's name.
You'll want to check with your local bakery to ensure participation. (Some bakeries were already committed to helping other local causes on that date, so please feel free to support their efforts as well!)
If your local bakery is not participating or you can't make it in and would like to donate to the cause, you can go to Mary's fund raising page.
I am also training to cross the finish line in San Diego with Mary 
and our friend, Jill Morrill. In honor of Mauri's mantra, we are the "Woo Hoo Women!" I'm 50 years old and have never attempted anything like this. I fractured my foot in October, have an ankle that has been popped out of the socket and a crack in the other one. Yes, I've had some painful moments over the last couple of months while training, but have no doubt I can do this. I'm working hard and getting stronger every day and have good friends who are cheering me on. Some people have asked "Why now?" And my answer is this...
... Because I miss my friend and I want to continue his fight.
...Because I know of others who are fighting and still winning the battle against cancer thanks to progress made in research. They deserve all the support we can give.
...Because if even one more dollar raised could one day mean that no one has to say "I lost a dear friend to non-Hodgkin lymphoma," then isn't that worth it?
