Clare

INDIANAPOLIS - In just a few days, there will be a really big football game happening here in Indy. Big people will come and have big parties, and the whole state is welcoming our visitors with big, open arms. What a tremendous opportunity for all of us!

The best part is that the people organizing the big stuff are also focusing on some small stuff. Small like little bitty cancer cells, to be specific.

This is my sweet friend, Clare. She's in the midst of her cancer treatment, but is just as strong and pretty as ever. Clare is one of many cancer patients here in Indiana. One of our group that owes so much to our wonderful doctors. Our researchers. Our donors.

Clare - and the rest of us in this crazy cancer world - are so thankful that the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL, the NY Giants, the New England Patriots and the entire Super Bowl committee have stopped to remember us in the midst of their work. They have decided that they are not too busy to help others.

To me, that defines Super.

Football

INDIANA — We look like we are ready to play football, don’t we? Just kidding. We are actually helping to load up the van for the most amazing initiative; I’m so excited to be a part of this in a small way.  My friend Connie (she’s the sassy one right in the middle of the photo) was the impetus behind an innovative new wave of cancer research at the Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center. That research, involving healthy women donating tissue samples, is now about to be celebrated, showcased and launched into the stratosphere by working with Super Bowl XLVI. Both are located in Indianapolis, so it’s just the perfect partnership. The women who donate tissue for this particular event might find a very special surprise as a thank you – in addition, of course, to the gift of hope!  Indy's Super Cure hopes to collect 700 tissue donations during the weekend leading up to Super Bowl XLVI. The collection will take place January 28 & 29, 2011. To join the interested donor list, please visit komentissuebank.iu.edu.