Everyday Leaders

Luke Bresette

—Slogan for the Live Like Luke Foundation.

Luke Bresette was the perfect middle child, says his father, Ryan Bresette, ’95. He was always smiling, even when he got into trouble.

Although Luke’s life was cut short at 10 years old, the Bresette family is passing along that smile to other children and, in so doing, ensuring Luke’s memory will live on. Following his tragic death in 2013 when a heavy flight information sign fell on him and other family members in the Birmingham, Alabama, airport, they created the Live Like Luke Foundation.

Ryan Bresette says the foundation’s slogan is “Every child needs a smile” because when a child is smiling, they are confident and that brings success. One focus of Live Like Luke is enrichment activities. The foundation has sponsored baseball teams through the Boys and Girls Clubs’ RBI program, a football camp for underserved kids, and swim lessons through Operation Breakthrough. Over the past six years, they have reached more than 750 children.

Because the Bresette children wanted to help kids with terminal illnesses enjoy time with their family, Live Like Luke also partners with other organizations to sponsor wishes. In February, they played a part in sending a 21-year-old with a form of brain cancer to the Super Bowl with his father.

When tragedy struck in Birmingham, Ryan says people from there to Kansas City reached out to help the family while his wife and son remained in the hospital. To honor their kindness, the third major focus of Live Like Luke is tragedy assistance. It may be financial assistance or emotional support, Ryan says. They have helped with funeral costs and allowed families to spend time together in a relaxing setting, just having fun.

So, how did Luke Bresette live?

“He lived life to the fullest each and every day,” says Ryan. “When he put his head on the pillow every night, he had no regrets. He worked hard and he played hard.”

BY NICHOLAS BADER, ’18

Nicholas Bader, ’18 As a third-year medical student, I have experienced a broad spectrum of moments that can define a human life. I have held a newborn in my hands as we invited the father to cut the umbilical cord. I have assisted in surgery to remove someone’s cancer. Despite these joys, I also encounter individuals whose depth of suffering and struggles I simply cannot fully comprehend. It is in these moments that empathy — a central tenet of “cura personalis”— is the best healing one can provide another.

Now, what does it actually mean to be empathetic? Looking to the ancient Greeks for the origin of the word, we find that “empatheia” can be translated quite literally as “in physical passion or suffering.” Even today, empathy is most often used in the context of suffering. My friend Merriam-Webster defines empathy as “vicariously experiencing the feelings of another.” At one point in time, I thought this meant to be truly empathetic one must have experienced that same feeling in a similar context. For example, to be able to empathize with someone who is homeless, you yourself must have experienced homelessness in your life. However, my time with patients has led me to believe that this is not true.

As humans, we all undoubtedly experience loss, pain and anguish in our lives. This common thread allows us to connect empathetically when we see another person going through a difficult time. If in these moments we recognize that we will never know everything about that person which has brought them to this moment of their life, then we free ourselves to bring more healing to them. We can let go judgment, biases and pity that may prevent us from completely embracing their suffering. Our empathy lets them know that despite our inability to have their exact same experience, we choose to love them — and from that love, the deepest of wounds can begin to heal.

Nick Bader, ’18, earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and physics of medicine and a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Rockhurst University. He is in his third year at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he serves as class vice president and advocates for expanded health care access.

FRIDAY, APRIL 16, ARRUPE HALL AUDITORIUM

Rockhurst University students commemorate the 58th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From a Birmingham Jail” with spoken word and musical performances.

1100 Rockhurst Road Kansas City, MO 64110-2561

Kansas City, M0. Permit No. 782

This year, more than ever, we can’t wait to join as a Rockhurst community for Hawks soccer, the Hopkins Skip & Run 5K, reunions, new campus building tours, and more. Learn more at rockhurst.edu/weekend.*