This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. – George Bernard Shaw

Last year, I had undertook a one month challenge to raise $5000 for the SickKids Foundation in conjunction with the release of the movie “Transformers” – a childhood passion of mine – on what was supposed to be released on my birthday, but released on July 3^rd instead. The end result was $4230 raised for SickKids as opposed to the original $5000, and an unforgettable and truly empowering experience.I had created the TRANSFORMING for SickKids Initiative as a challenge to myself and as an act of gratitude to the wonderful people and world-class pediatric care bestowed upon me during my time at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario back in May-June 1993. If it wasn’t for their care, I probably wouldn’t be here today.

Now that I think of it, the purpose of the Initiative could be encapsulated in the following: “Promoting research in pediatric care through rediscovering and igniting childhood passions in ourselves and connecting people together for a common cause in the care and health of children – the SickKids Foundation.”

Had it not been for the help I received from the of the over 20 sponsors with their donations-in-kind in crafting the prize packages, my friends (Bonnie, Franz, Mike S, Paulina, Patricia, Franz, Chi Lam, Mike K, Jennifer, Katherine and Gokul) and loved ones (especially Loretta). Furthermore, to the countless people who saw and believed in the vision to the point where they bought raffle tickets, with the proceeds ultimately put towards research in pediatric care used in protecting and caring for humanity’s most precious resource – the children of today and our future. If it wasn’t for all those people, the Initiative wouldn’t have been possible.

This year, in the spirit of “Transforming”, because there isn’t a Transformers 2 movie to continue what was built last year the Initiative itself is Transforming into something drastically different. Instead of solely selling raffle tickets at a prominent and high traffic location aligned with the release of a Transformers movie, the Initiative is moving towards raising funds through running and Transforming ourselves. For the past few months, I’ve been training for a half-marathon and have been gearing up for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon as a primer, and use the Toronto Marathon as the launching pad for the Transforming for SickKids Initiative’s new vision.

By Transforming ourselves from the inside and outwards while training for a marathon, we can inspire and empower others to actualize our goals and dreams through fitness. It is only when we put something before ourselves that forces us to push ourselves outside of comfort zone and expand our capacity – to contribute and give whatever gift we have to the world, we can truly grow. Rallying behind a purpose that is meaningful, beyond ourselves that moves us is what will power the TRANSFORMING for SickKids Initiative.

This is my purpose for now. What’s yours?