Captain Rick: With a heavy heart, I convey sad news that Bill, my good friend of many years, has lost his battle with cancer.
Bill’s courageous ‘C-Word’ Journey has come to an end…but his legacy lives on.
Bill Whitney of Tucson Arizona
I first met Bill on Flickr in 2007. His stunning photo captures of the scenic southwest mesmerized me. His Flickr screen name ScenicSW was very appropriate.
I invited Bill to my Flickr photo group A Virtual Journey in 2008. Since then he earned the invitation of 140 of his photos to the group’s pool. Over the course of several years, Bill climbed his way in the group to achieve top honors: 116 Participation Awards with many in the queue…for his unequalled ability to place ‘words of kindness’ along with his group award in a comment on fellow photographer’s photos. It earned him 17 ‘A Virtual Journey’ Feature presentations on the groups homepage. Bill would have been honored to know that he is first in line to receive Captain Rick’s upcoming ‘A Virtual Journey’ Photographer and Photo Award that will be featured in a future blog post.
A couple years ago, Bill shared with me his diagnosis of Merkel Cell Carcinoma, a rare, highly aggressive skin cancer. His doctors suggested he had 6 months to live without treatment. He chose treatment which included surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and more. Realizing he faced an astronomical journey…I asked him if he would be willing to share his experience on a blog I would create for him. He declined at first. After much conversation about the information and hope that his testimony could bring to future Merkel Cell patients, as well as the therapeutic benefits it could bring him, Bill agreed. And so began Bill’s C-Word Journey. He has faithfully told his story for nearly two years, complete with vivid photos, in what is perhaps the worlds premier documentation of this dreaded disorder. I am honored to have partnered with my friend Bill…as his blogmeister, in his historic ‘C-Word’ Journey.
My friend Bill’s legacy will live on via Bill Whitney’s C-Word Journey on WordPress.
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