OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY
4750 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208
November 21, 1999
Victor Kubik
Week of Thanks
240 Professional Court
Lafayette, IN 47905
Dear Victor,
I am proud to lend my support to the Week of Thanks. Through this initiative, we are reminded that we are not alone in this world and that in all reality, our community extends much beyond our immediate city limits. Bravo! to everyone involved for reminding us that not only is it necessary to address the concerns of our immediate community, but that we also must share that same urgency for those concerns of our world community.
When I met Dr. Pasechnik of the Ukraine Revival Rehabilitation Center and I was struck by his urgent compassion and desire to care for the children affected by Chernobyl. When I think of the work he is doing, the bonds between communities are even more visible. I say this in part because of my contact with several projects right here in Indiana.
I visited one such project, Indiana Faces of Breast Cancer, while in Lafayette several months ago. What is most compelling about this project is that it captures the true human emotion – fear in its most hard-felt form – that overcomes individuals and families with cancer. This is the same emotion that must appear in the eyes and on the faces of the children, and their mothers and fathers, in the Ukraine.
When I have talked to breast cancer survivors they have express to me that they
were strengthened by the support of others around them. They were given hope
because of the hope expressed by their friends, family and community. And, they
knew that they were not alone.
Hope is what the Week of Thanks is all about. And, hope is what we are expressing to our neighbors and friends here in Indiana and in the Ukraine this week. I am grateful for this opportunity to express that hope and reach out, with hands joined, in support and sharing.
Sincerely,
Judy O’Bannon