Remembering Cameron Hartman

[Bengalzona]

In the fall of 2011, my niece back in Dayton contacted me. She told me that her friend had a son who was critically sick with a rare disease. She said that the boy was absolutely nuts about the Cincinnati Bengals. Knowing that I was a Bengals fan and active in some fan groups, she asked if I could reach out to some fans and see if they could maybe send him some positive messages while he was fighting this disease. I told her I would and so I posted a thread about it on the old board ("A Bengal Fan in Need"). I knew there would be a couple of guys who would respond. But I certainly didn't expect the overwhelming support and actions from so many board members. 34 saw the thread and set it up as a "sticky", which helped get the word out. Guys stopped by the hospital to visit Cam. People gave him gifts. I seem to recall that someone set up a visit for Cam at the stadium. The people on the board came out in force and really brought a lot of joy to Cam in the short time he had left with us.

Because my niece was good friends with Cam's mother, I got to know her as well and spoke to Cam a couple of times. I got pretty involved emotionally. We all were. When he passed on January 6, 2013, I had the somber job of posting it on the old board. I cried on that day. I have tears welling up in my eyes now, even today.

But Cam's legacy isn't one of sadness. His legacy was bringing together a bunch of guys with little in common for the cause of compassion. That is us at our best and who we are. Cam lives on in that part of us.