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Simply the Best
By Cam Tait
January 15, 2007
Whenever there's something close to our hearts, we follow it. Whenever it aches, we look to make it better. Once that has happened, some feel an extraordinary urge to give something in return - a way of saying thank you. Some of our greatest community leaders give and give and give because their hearts were brushed with sadness, but now they glow with joy and want to share it with others. In a very unselfish way, they make our communities more caring.
For the past 20 years in Edmonton, whenever there was a fundraising event for cancer, Lyle Best was always nearby. He did everything from sit on committees, to chair events, to act as master of ceremonies for press conferences. A personal favourite memory was a few years ago when the first-ever Relay for Life event was taking place in Edmonton. It was closing in on 6 a.m., after an all-night marathon of making sure hundreds of volunteers, participants and cancer survivors were looked after. I was on my way home with dreams of my pillow.
"C'mon this way," Lyle motioned to a nearby field. "I'm cookin' bacon and eggs for everyone. How do you like your eggs done?"
Lyle didn't hide his reason for wanting to help fight cancer. He's told the story many times - sometimes in public, such as at press conferences to kick-off an event. Other times it was over coffee, one-on-one. Lyle's voice seldom, if ever, quavered when he told his story about being a newly-married man, and only months after his wedding to his wife Priscilla, they were faced with a big mountain to climb. Priscilla was diagnosed with cancer and doctors didn't know what the outcome would be. Treatments started and Priscilla slowly got better.
But the scare always remained with Lyle. His heart was brushed and he didn't want others to go through the scare of cancer.
The young couple moved west from Ontario to Edmonton. Lyle became president of Quikcard Solutions, a dental insurance company that grew and grew. They started a family and had three boys. Despite Lyle's demanding work schedule he always found time to volunteer for cancer-related causes - from Kids with Cancer to Relay for Life, and many more events. They raised three young sons and were one of the most recognized couples in Edmonton. Lyle and Priscilla were seen at all the high-profile events and Lyle has received many awards for his community work.
In the past few months I haven't seen Lyle and Priscilla. I know he's a very busy man with many commitments and I figured our paths just hadn't crossed.
But last week, I was startled when I read that Priscilla passed away just a few days after New Year's. She had been re-diagnosed with cancer in July and underwent harsh treatment. Her wish was to see her son's birthday on December 22nd and to see another Christmas.
Her wish was granted.
There are thousands of stories across Canada just like Lyle and Priscilla's. Millions of people are connected to causes because of someone they love. Some of those people, unfortunately, leave us. Those remaining may come back and be involved in memory of their loved ones. Others, understandably, can't. But whatever their situation is, we admire them...from the bottom of our hearts.
Cam Tait is a sports reporter for the Edmonton Journal. He covered charitable issues for almost 20 years. Thoughts, comments, ideas or a simple hello are welcomed at cam@charityvillage.com.
Opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CharityVillage.com®.
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