September 11, 2024 marks the tenth anniversary of my son Jared’s demise. It seemed fitting to me that I mark this event with a tribute to him. He deserves that. Moreover, I hope to give you, dear reader, a small dose of positive news to brighten your day and offer some uplifting input. I thought it would do us all some good to know that there was once a young man who, just by being himself, brought peace, happiness and love. Those were his character traits and his gifts to everyone who knew him.
Jared attended Camp Rainbow Gold while we lived in Idaho and even for some years after we moved to Utah; they wanted him to come back, and he really wanted to go back. Camp Rainbow Gold serves Idaho children diagnosed with cancer and their families. You can see that Jared was very real and truly lived life while he was alive on earth. I’m confident he is just as real where he lives today.
Camp Rainbow Gold meant so much to my son and to me. I will never forget taking him to the camp and unloading his stuff. One of the camp counselors came running up to him saying, “Jared, my friend, it’s so good to see you again!” Such a greeting means so much to a cancer victim. When you get cancer, your physical abilities are diminished, and you move more slowly. But at camp most people move at the same speed, so you make new friends, even if for just a few weeks. And you look forward to seeing them next year too. Thank you so much for having Camp Rainbow Gold. That especially includes the staff who do so much to facilitate cancer victims having a fun and uplifting time. The medical staff have many challenges and are major contributors to the camp’s success. Some of the kids simply could not attend without them. And what would we do without those who take care of maintenance and upkeep of the facilities?
Jared’s recurring brain tumors presented enormous obstacles for him, and he overcame them for years. When his first tumor was presented, his doctors said he had no more than two years to live; he went on for 24 more years. Of course, medical advances were part of that. I am so proud of my son. He brought goodness into the world for all who knew him. He has given us a legacy: a tradition of goodness. He never married or held more than menial jobs. But he certainly made the world a better place!! There is a quote from the famous educator, Booker T. Washington which applies to Jared: I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which s/he has overcome while trying to succeed.
Mike Suflita, Jared’s Dad.