$150,000 Raised for Pat

The benefit for Pat Brandt was a big success. Thanks to the star power of Bret Hedican and his wife, Kristi Yamaguchi, the concert, featuring Rob Thomas from Matchbox Twenty, raised $150,000 ($85,000 for Pat’s family and $65,000 for other charities). The following pre-concert post by Bret Hedican’s Whatever it Takes Foundation, gives you a real sense of Pat’s struggle and why he was such an inspiration:

“Everyone that met him liked him. Everyone that knew him loved him. Patrick Christopher Brandt was a son, a brother, an adoring husband, devoted father, and best friend to all. He wore his heart on his sleeve and shared it with the world. In the fall of 99′ Pat was diagnosed with brain cancer. Though he didn’t know it at the time, he would be embarking on a journey that would touch the lives of thousands, and inspire all that knew him to live out the rest of their lives with passion and meaning.”

“Through countless bouts of chemotherapy and multiple surgeries Pat never lost his smile. Pat didn’t run from his cancer, he embraced it. Pat was a strong promoter of the White Bear Lake relay for life, and the American Cancer Society. He was called upon as keynote speaker, and shared his story to all. His employer LexisNexis was so moved by his story that they had him speak to hundreds of co-workers at one of their sales conventions. Though married with kids, and carrying a heavy work load Pat always found time to council other cancer survivors, and listen to their story.”

“On March 2nd 2008 at the age of 37 our dear friend Pat lost his battle with cancer. Pat left behind a wife Jessica, and two beautiful boys Wesley and Charlie ages five and two. In his passing Pat left us with many precious memories, and life lessons learned. Pat passed the torch and now it is our turn to continue his legacy of survival, living life to its fullest, and giving love.”

Copyright © 2008 Bret Hedican’s Whatever It Takes Foundation. All Rights Reserved.