breast cancer – Speaking Of Life

Posted on April 4, 2016 by pleafman · 1 Comment

Still Time To Pledge for Wednesday’s Challenge…

Thanks to all who have already pledged….it is truly appreciated. And here’s a re-post of my original blog:

On Wednesday, April 6, Corbin’s Legacy, the organization established in memory of my niece who died from breast cancer early in 2015 at the young age of 31, is holding a fundraising challenge. Corbin’s Legacy Mission Statement describes its goals;
1: Assuring no elementary school child goes without lunch, or is embarrassed, because their account is too low or depleted.

2: Assisting elementary school children with basic school and healthcare needs that they otherwise would not have.

On Wednesday, April 6, Margaret and I will be on our bikes cranking out as many miles as possible. Please pledge 50 cents, $1, $2, $10, $100 per mile for our combined mileage on that day (in case of inclement weather we’ll reschedule later that week). Or if you’re afraid we’ll each ride a double century pledge a set amount…either way it’s the kids who benefit. Please complete the form below to make your pledge. One-hundred percent of your donation dollars go toward helping kids throughout the U.S. with their school needs described above. If you know someone in need click HERE for more information.

Corbin’s Legacy is a 501C3 public charity. All donations are tax deductible.

Posted on September 24, 2015 by pleafman

Corbin’s Legacy

As some of you may know my 31 year old niece Corbin Leafman passed away early this year after a two year fight with breast cancer. My brother, sister-in-law, nieces and their families have started Corbin’s Legacy, a charitable organization to continue Corbin’s passion for helping disadvantaged children such as many of those she taught as a kindergarten teacher.

Corbin was a compassionate teacher who selflessly helped those kids who came to school hungry or who could not afford school supplies. With her own money she purchased meals and supplies for those who could not afford these items. My brother described Corbin best in his recent post on Facebook; “In 1983, the year that Corbin was born, the movie “The Right Stuff” was released. It was the story of a remarkable group of men, the original Mercury Seven astronauts. These flyers represented the peak of intelligence, physical prowess, and technical skill. They captured America’s imagination in a way that has rarely been seen since. Their exploits energized the country and propelled us toward John F Kennedy’s goal of landing a man on the moon within the decade.
If someone had written the story of a group of teachers and humanitarians with The Right Stuff, Corbin would have had the starring role. Please help us to perpetuate her memory through the good works of Corbin’s Legacy so that no child in our great country ever goes without. Thanks again from our whole family”.

To find out more about Corbin’s Legacy go to the website and please consider a contribution. If you know someone in need please let them know there is a place they can get help.

Thanks

Posted on January 15, 2015 by pleafman

A Tragic Loss

It has been a few days since my last blog due to a tragic loss in our family. I wasn’t going to write about this, but after several days of thought I felt I needed to. One of my brother’s four daughters passed away January 2 after a two and a half year battle with breast cancer. When she was diagnosed it was already categorized as stage 4. Young woman in their late twenties are not suppose to have this worry, although it is becoming more common. There’s no mandate for mammograms until a woman reaches 50…..this may have to change.

I found out so much about our amazing niece Corbin at her memorial this past weekend. Although we knew her personality (sweet, direct, no-nonsense, smart….I could go on) what we didn’t know was the level of devotion she had as an educator. Corbin was a truly selfless person deciding her passion was teaching kindergarten to underprivileged, non-English speaking kids in the Phoenix, AZ area. These were kids who came to school without first having a breakfast. For many the only real meal of the day was the hot lunch the school provided. So first Corbin had to get these kids fed, then her passion for teaching would take hold. And even though she didn’t speak Spanish her lessons resonated as she taught them English and all the other subjects kids learn at that young age.

The kids were the easy part….the parents not so much. Most parents did not speak English, did not spend the time preparing their kids for the start of school like more fortunate families. So communicating with parents, getting through to them was the most difficult part of Corbin’s job. But it didn’t deter her.

I could go on and on with the stories we heard last weekend about the devotion and compassion Corbin had for her work…..but the best description was posted by my sister on Facebook; “My family and I have just returned from Phoenix where we attended the memorial service for my niece, Corbin Leafman, who died from breast cancer at the tender age of 31. The service was sad, funny at times, and very moving. We learned things about Corbin from her parents and sisters that I was unaware of, things that make me want to be a better person.”

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