Peter's Tribute To Uncle Phil

My Fundraising Page

My Fundraising Page

Jul 13, 2011

Welcome to my Team in Training Site!

In September, I will be participating in the Nation's Triathlon to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As part of this effort, I have agreed to raise $4,000 to support cancer research. I invite you to join me in supporting this terrific cause by contributing a donation.

In Loving Memory of Philip Kamp

Cancer is as devastating as it is pervasive. Indeed, you would be hard pressed to find somebody that has not been directly or indirectly affected by this disease. Last winter, my uncle, Philip Kamp, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. Phil had been a prominent figure in my life. In the summers he would take my family and me out on his beautiful boat where we would spend the day in leisure. The warmth of good company and the summer sun interrupted only by the occasional chilly dive into whichever body of water we happened to be floating on. I learned many important lessons on those summery trips; the importance of sunscreen, jumping into water at 35mph is a bad idea, Jimmy Buffet is, in fact, not from a mythical place called MargaritaVille- he just hung-out there. Most importantly, Phil taught me the importance of being gracious and patient with those around you. Phil enjoyed keeping his boat in absolutely flawless shape and when I inadvertently dropped my snorkeling gear overboard and directly into the rapidly spinning propeller, I knew I had done serious damage to something that was important to him. Upon lifting the prop out of the water, it became obvious the prop would need to be replaced. I was horrified. I knew that Phil would be upset. However, he quickly told me not to worry, ruffled my hair with his hand and in a gesture of good faith, he dove head first into the water to see if he could find my snorkeling gear.

It is in memory of Phil and the countless others that have battled or are battling cancer that I have committed to participate in the Nation’s Triathlon. Though my training may be painful, I know that every dollar I raise will bring us closer to the day when cancer will no longer rob us of our friends, our family and our uncles.