nonprofit fe ature
initial symptom; he has lesions in his skull, spine, scapulae, collarbone, hip, and sternum. It also has to do with “how we’re all throwing bones—referring to throwing dice—in life. Sometimes fortune leads us in a way that we didn’t plan for.” Throwing Bones for a Cure’s mission is to support and inspire patients to healthy and active lifestyles before, during, and after treatment and to issue small grants to patients and caregivers for non-medical financial needs through its Patient Assistance Fund. “There are needs that aren’t being met when it comes to multiple myeloma patients. It’s easy to feel like you can’t move— you can’t do anything—when you’re sick. Frequently, there is organ degeneration, a depletion of red blood cells (anemia),
“Each one has their strengths, but even their perceived ‘weaknesses’ are valuable windows to how awesome people can be.”
Kenny Capps
Executive Director, Throwing Bones for a Cure, Inc.
I
N JANUARY OF 2015, KENNY CAPPS’ LIFE CHANGED forever—he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer that often affects bones by creating lytic lesions (holes) and lots of pain. “During the course of that year, I began intense chemotherapy treatment, had to stop running, lost my business, underwent a bone marrow transplant, and had to find my way back to life again,” says Capps. “I discovered that what was most challenging about having the disease wasn’t necessarily that I might be dying a little early, but that the disease and treatment was devastating on my family, financially, and my psyche, personally. I discovered quickly that responding with fitness was the way to control mental and physical distress. Since this wasn’t being directly addressed, I wanted to give a platform to this discussion, and Throwing Bones was born.” Capps adds the name’s significance lies in the fact that myeloma often effects the bones with lesions (holes) as an 82
| November 2018
and an increase in infections. However, purposeful movement or exercise is essential to a better quality of life, treatment tolerance, and pain management. Also, it’s expensive being sick, if only because of the expenses of travel to and from treatment. Unfortunately, there are more than just travel costs involved. Throwing Bones is raising funds, creating opportunities, and encouraging and inspiring patients and caregivers to be better and enjoy life during and after treatment until there’s a cure.” This year, Capps ran across the State of North Carolina on the Mountains to Sea Trail from the Outer Banks to Clingman’s Dome, completing all 1,175 miles on foot in 54 days. He was encouraged and inspired by many on this journey, including a man named Bob, an experienced hiker with a pulmonary disease that acts like COPD, now waiting for a lung transplant. His words brought tears to Capps’ eyes: “Thank you. Your trip moves me. I know you’re battling something different than I am, but you’re doing it. I’m living through you.” “I had something to do with moving a tortured man to hope for something better,” says Capps. “I want to do that again and again.” Educated at the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree and the University of Denver with a law degree, Capps says the most rewarding part of his role at Throwing Bones for a Cure is inspiring and encouraging. “Until I started this organization, I don’t think I knew that others often find hope when I do well. I move, I encourage, I ran across the state of North Carolina, I talk about everything I do on social media, and every day I hear about someone moving because they saw me do it. That’s immediate validation for what I do.”