Mystic Everyday Hero Helps Cancer Patients Through Love of Sailing

Do you know someone making a difference in our community? Patch wants to tell their story in a new series we’re calling “Everyday Heroes.” We are looking to share inspirational and uplifting stories of people who work to change others’ lives for the better.

Today’s nominee was sent in by Shannon Cavanaugh.

Name of Everyday Hero

• Bob Davis

Relationship to the Nominee

• Friend

Details of Good Work

• “Bob Davis is a two time cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2004 and esophageal cancer in 2010, and just very recently went through a round of maintenance chemo to keep the leukemia in check. The leukemia is chronic and he will likely have to do maintenance for the rest of his life. He was extremely lucky to survive the esophageal cancer, as this cancer has a pretty low survival rate. He is a man with a real lust for life and he knows he was one of the very lucky ones, so he decided to give back by creating a charity called Sails Up 4 Cancer, www.su4c.org 5 years ago. It all started by combining his love for sailing and his desire to help others suffering from cancer, and the people supporting them, by creating an annual regatta that would raise money for the charity. For the past 4 years, the proceeds of this event have gone to various organizations that support people with cancer. In this, the 5th year, he created a new fund, called the Spinnaker Fund, that will support individuals directly. So many people that become terminally ill also have extreme financial hardships due to the expense of medical costs and possibly not being able to work. This fund gives cash directly to those people so they can pay bills, buy medication, food or whatever is needed. So far this year, SU4C has been able to provide donations directly to 7 families.”

Why do you feel this person is an Everyday Hero:

• “I have watched Bob go through this last round of chemo and have seen first-hand how exhausting it is, so many people would say, hey, I need to rest, I need to recover… I think I would. Not Bob, he continues to come up with great ideas to raise more money so he can help more individuals. The regatta has turned into an all-day event with a party for the Sunshine Kids with music played by other kids, art class, a sail on the Argia and pirates too! There is an annual art show called Canvases for a Cause, a concert at a local winery, a booth at the Sail Quest boat show and more. I can’t think of any person more dedicated to a cause than Bob.”

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Do you know someone who is an “Everyday Hero?” Nominate them by following the instructions below.

Please answer the following questions:

1. Name of Everyday Hero
2. Your relationship to the nominee
3. Details of good work done or being done
4. Why do you feel is this person an Everyday Hero?

Email your answers, along with a jpeg photo, to wendy.mitchell@patch.com and your Everyday Hero could be featured!