Dave Harm's Page

On December 23rd, 1999 my wife of two years had a biopsy that changed our lives. That Christmas was filled with uncertainty but we muddled our way through it. Betty had three children from her previous marriage ages 17, 15, and 5 and they were the reason we celebrated that holiday season.

On December 29, we learned that she had breast cancer, and a surgery for a partial mastectomy was scheduled for January 3, 2000. Betty came through that surgery, in what we thought was good shape, but we found out a couple of days later that the cancer was still there.

On January 11, 2000 she had a modified radical mastectomy follow by eight chemo treatments and radiation. By the Grace of God, my wife is still with me today. She beat the odds for a Stage III breast cancer survivor and we know each and every day is a gift from God.

Starting in 2001, I began writing poems about our life with cancer which were read at our annual Relay For Life events. In 2003, I wanted to do more and I held a fund-raiser entitled "Dave's Dare." It might be hard to believe if you look at my picture, but at that time I had 14" long hair. My dare was that for every $100 raised I would cut off one inch of hair. I raised over $1,400 and had all my hair cut off.

By 2008 I was reading poetry on cancer in parts of Nebraska and Kansas at survivor events and relays. It was then that I decided to create a nationwide fund-raiser entitled Purple Power. I took 12 of my most widely used poems and put them to spiritual and inspirational music and created a unique gift. I had it professionally recorded and mastered and have received wonderful compliments about it.

It was a project created out of love and admiration, not just for my wife, but other cancer survivors and their families, who faced their fear and live each day with strength and courage.