Passed Away Resulting from Cancer: Poh Nikbar July
Paul Newman
Winning 37 awards—including an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role—and being nominated for an additional 47, it is surprising that I’ve only seen three of Paul Newman’s films: Cool Hand Luke, The Color of Money, and Road to Perdition. His role in Cool Hand Luke was marvelous, earning him recognition for playing one of the best movie characters ever.
On the other hand, I have consumed lots of his salad dressing. When I first saw his mug on the plastic container for balsamic vinaigrette I figured he was a long-lost relative of Uncle Ben and Aunt Jemima. Newman cofounded the Newman’s Own line of products in 1982, with all post-tax proceeds donated to charity, totaling over $300 million. As if that philanthropy wasn’t enough, he also cofounded The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in 1988, in Ashford, Connecticut.
The camp provides a unique experience to thousands of seriously-ill children, free of charge. When I was a cancer patient at age 16, I was gravely opposed to participating with other Cancer People in any way, including a similar camp experience offered to me. But after going on Birthright Israel (and next year I hope to go on a rock-climbing trip for cancer survivors provided by First Descents), I now see how fantastic The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp can be for young, ill people.
http://www.holyspiritsgifts.com/
I have a friend, 3Ball, who I met through blogging—a fellow Cancer Person. He visited The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp last week to see a lifetime friend of his who volunteers at the camp, Father Dom. 3Ball gave Father Dom my book. Father Dom enjoyed my book, telling 3Ball something along the lines of, “I could not put it down until page 118.”
I am confident that Paul Newman would have felt similarly about my book. But in June 2008 it was reported that Newman had been diagnosed with lung cancer, and he passed away a few months later at age 83.
In Cool Hand Luke, Newman said, “Sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand.” He was referring to poker, but maybe he was also hinting at holding onto fewer possessions and giving more. Despite his passing, Newman’s Own and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp continue on.