Stillbrave: One Father's Journey to Accept the Unacceptable | Tattoo Tom Mitchell | TEDxHerndon

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  • čas přidán 2. 04. 2015
  • How does one go about accepting the unacceptable?
    Tom Mitchell is the founder and director of Stillbrave Childhood Cancer Foundation. Affectionately known as “Tattoo Tom” by the children and families whom he serves. He is also a nationally recognized activist and advocate for children with cancer and their families.
    Following the death of his daughter Shayla in 2009 from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Tom dedicated his entire life to providing non-medical support to children with cancer and their families. He’s also committed to raising awareness of the need for more research funding and safer, less toxic treatments for children with cancer.
    Dubbing himself and those who work for Stillbrave as “Renegades” Tattoo Tom is always anxious to share what he’s learned, grown to understand, but refused to accept. He is very outspoken. His obvious passion, continued activism, and his innate need to be a voice for those who do not have one has led him to being at the forefront of a grassroots movement.
    This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Komentáře • 51

  • @justinmonday9904
    @justinmonday9904 Před 2 měsíci +6

    Rest in peace tattoo Tom! Your massive impact on this world will never be forgotten!

  • @chicodaboi174
    @chicodaboi174 Před 2 lety +10

    Wow. 7 years later and this guy is still helping people in need. My mom got cancer and this guy wrote me a personal letter and put some gas cards and gift cards in the envelope because he heard about me driving my mom to her treatments and i was spending most of my money on gas. He helped me and my mom out so much! Great dude

  • @heathergottlieb8726
    @heathergottlieb8726 Před 2 měsíci +6

    God dammit Tom. Thousands and thousands of broken hearts today 🖤 I hope you’re with Shayla now 🪶

  • @teamdarkside3723
    @teamdarkside3723 Před 4 lety +4

    WoW So Moving My Team Has Done 2 Car Audio Shows For the Same Young Man who Battled Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Raised Good Money For his Family. I admire this Fathers Bravery To Stand Up To Child Hood Cancer. Thank you for Sharing Your Daughters Story And Inspiring So Many ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  • @maureenhosie3407
    @maureenhosie3407 Před 2 měsíci +1

    Thank you Tom. Fly High

  • @hollysmallwood8015
    @hollysmallwood8015 Před 4 lety +3

    Still miss that beautiful smile that could light up the darkest of rooms. Miss you Shay

  • @omgurheadsgone
    @omgurheadsgone Před 9 lety +14

    what an inspiring person, you are an amazing father.

  • @maybemature
    @maybemature Před 9 lety +8

    Thank you Tom and thank you TEDx. The Childhood Cancer Awareness movement is finally growing, yet there are still way too many people out there that have no idea. I'm not affected by Childhood Cancer personally but I've been doing what I can for years to spread the word and get it out there. Tom you're a true inspiration.

  • @camuscat123
    @camuscat123 Před 9 lety +14

    Thank you transforming your grief and anger into a gift for others. Thanks is not enough...but it is hard to know what to say after listening to your story. I guess nothing is enough given what children and parents endure with a cruel, terminal affliction. I am sure your little girl is looking down and saluting your bravery. Keep going.

  • @aussielady7539
    @aussielady7539 Před 5 lety +2

    Omg your daughter is amazingly brave and so are you sir. 💔😭😢

  • @sarahh4389
    @sarahh4389 Před 6 lety +3

    I greatly appreciate this video. I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Grey Zone Lymphoma when I was thirteen.

  • @ShedonistaShamanatrix
    @ShedonistaShamanatrix Před 9 lety +8

    Thank you for sharing your amazing story. Much love and heartfelt support to you. My daughters and I have feathers tattooed on ourselves for a number of reasons, some you can understand, I am sure.
    I've fought Cancer twice. I'm still fighting. My feather is on my head.
    Blessings to you

  • @kristycharlton2837
    @kristycharlton2837 Před 9 lety +8

    You are one magnificient man...... true inspiration.....

  • @dieselvsgas1
    @dieselvsgas1 Před 9 lety +13

    At the age of 17 I was diagnosed with staged 4 Hodgkins lymphoma, I am now 19 and I'm starting to feel the effects of the red devil. At time I have random chest pains, still have alot of joint pain from other drugs I was on... trying to get my doctors to setup the appointments is taking forever. I saw my oncologist 2 months ago and she wanted to set up a cardiologist appointment and I haven't heard from her... whenever I call I get a receptionists and they tell me she call me back. My whole cancer experience was a put off by doctors, it took me a year and a half to get diagnosed and I had 3 biopsies to get diagnosed... scares on my neck, that when people she them they assume I was stabbed. Now being in college and still dealing with the effects of cancer is utterly annoying.

    • @ryw1118
      @ryw1118 Před 9 lety

      dieselvsgas1 sending you lots and lots of love and prayers!

  • @sabah4123
    @sabah4123 Před 6 lety +1

    Losing yr child is the most painful grief ever.
    I lost my son recently, can't get past it. 💔🙏🇦🇺

  • @RedNovaMedia
    @RedNovaMedia Před 4 lety +3

    What a beautiful man. The courage it took to share this with us. I’m honored, moved and touched. You can be sure this will be on the topics to be discussed amongst friends n fam. Chemo is a poor mans trick with very low success rates. There must be a way

  • @maezdaze13
    @maezdaze13 Před 7 lety +2

    Why would anyone 'dislike' this video? 7 dislikes, REALLY???? this video is beautiful...

  • @IrisQueen1
    @IrisQueen1 Před 8 lety +2

    Much respect for you Thom, it's heartbreaking that you have lost your beautiful daughter. I'm sure she is looking down on you and is very proud of her dad!

  • @camio8791
    @camio8791 Před 4 lety +4

    i am not crying - YOU ARE CRYING !!

    • @exodus02041973
      @exodus02041973 Před 4 lety +1

      Must be the onions! Those are really bad onions... 😭 (Crying my eyeballs out over here... 😔)

  • @ryw1118
    @ryw1118 Před 9 lety +1

    Thanks for everything Tom

  • @jaynemyers5739
    @jaynemyers5739 Před 8 lety +2

    So amazing that you turned your loss into a fight for others. A truly inspiring talk

  • @justinwilliams7367
    @justinwilliams7367 Před 9 lety +2

    Wow. Amazing story.

  • @MzNewYork80
    @MzNewYork80 Před 6 lety +2

    'I held her hair when she threw up, and I held her hand when her hair fell out.' yyeeeeesss Tom

  • @timothybonnett1313
    @timothybonnett1313 Před 9 lety +2

    You're a god with golden balls.. you sir are an inspiration...

  • @tradragos9788
    @tradragos9788 Před 8 lety +13

    congratulations Tom tattoo ...
    you finished the 200 mile race today .......9.15.15 at Tahoe. ........YOU DID IT

  • @staceyjones124
    @staceyjones124 Před 9 lety +1

    Strong man. Powerful speech.

  • @georgewilliams9204
    @georgewilliams9204 Před 6 lety

    Wonderful Tom, thank you for sharing your beautiful story. Stay brave!

  • @courtneypetit5084
    @courtneypetit5084 Před 6 lety +1

    I wish I had a parent like you!

  • @blinden0724
    @blinden0724 Před 8 lety +1

    amazing...

  • @ThisIsGmoxHD
    @ThisIsGmoxHD Před 9 lety +1

    Well said.

  • @sandramedina9482
    @sandramedina9482 Před rokem

    💙💙💐💐bless you😢

  • @kktsvetkov
    @kktsvetkov Před 9 lety +2

    Smashing T-shirt, I want one!

  • @xmykro
    @xmykro Před 8 lety

    Great Speech. Thank you for everything you do Tom. And God Bless Shayla, and all the souls fighting these horrific diseases.

  • @CaptainKarma1972
    @CaptainKarma1972 Před 5 lety

    So sorry for your loss Sir ! This brought me to tears ! My prayers go out to you and your family !

  • @reginatwofoot5815
    @reginatwofoot5815 Před 6 lety

    Thank you for all your amazing work, it was so amazing to see you at the PEER conference

  • @mamabom9374
    @mamabom9374 Před 7 lety +1

    i love you tom!

  • @asifchaudhry9671
    @asifchaudhry9671 Před 6 lety

    Great Dad !

  • @TheLiliasinclair
    @TheLiliasinclair Před 9 lety +1

    Wow. Love xx

  • @PinkSparklerToontown
    @PinkSparklerToontown Před 2 měsíci

    RIP

  • @RicardoMartinez-yk7md
    @RicardoMartinez-yk7md Před 4 lety +2

    10:08 look at the eyes of the guy in the suit 0_0

  • @jimdor8353
    @jimdor8353 Před 6 lety +2

    hope i can be a inch of this man..

  • @arthurbissolotti
    @arthurbissolotti Před 9 lety +2

    Wow, that hurts! And I thought I was brave. .......

  • @uncleboogie69
    @uncleboogie69 Před 8 lety

    wow

  • @transacumen5172
    @transacumen5172 Před 2 lety +1

    Who is Sheila? The girl that lived.

  • @ellawebber8749
    @ellawebber8749 Před 5 lety

    Cause

  • @timothybonnett1313
    @timothybonnett1313 Před 9 lety +1

    An inspiration... Tom! Kill that 200! Want me there.. no prob! Family in Reno! Want a comfy room... done! Just ask Dee over at peachesneetfeet....