I don’t know where you are this morning – as you open my weekly Point of View blog – but I don’t expect to see you at the barista counter at the Starbucks where I’m starting my day. Unless, of course, you’re in Las Vegas today, as I am…

The world flocked to this desert mecca a couple of weeks ago as the epic sports event – Super Bowl LVIII – delivered the championship to the Chiefs; the 49ers were close behind, even overtime denied them victory.

Against that iconic sports backdrop, the Christian faith was allowed a break from the cultural barbs that seem to be growing toward the followers of Jesus. In that time-out from push-back, we were set to win, no matter the final score: both starting quarterbacks are men of faith, and both are known to verbalize their high regard for their personal Savior when the microphone is in front of them following significant triumphs. Patrick Mahomes didn’t disappoint: “I’ve just got to give God the glory, man. He challenged us to make us better, and I’m proud of my guys, man.” Atta, boy, Patrick.

It won’t be broadcast live to the world, but tonight – here, in Las Vegas – is an event that will be meaningful in its own right. The Super Bowl had 61,000+ in the stands; tonight at the Palms, about 400 will be in attendance. Why are they there? Why are we here?

The headline says: “41^st Annual Spirit of Life Gala,” staged by the National Hardware and Homebuilding Industry donor community at/for the City of Hope. Since its inception, this group has raised/contributed over $175 million to the City of Hope to support and expand their care for people who have encountered – and, are battling – cancer, of whatever variety.

Each year, they recognize leaders from those marketplace categories who have helped to mobilize that support. This year, Tom Koos is in that spotlight. He’s currently the President and CEO of PrimeSource, a distributing company based in North Texas. Among his many and various touchpoints leading to his current life of leadership is his participation in The Master’s Program.

Because of Tom’s influence, the City of Hope leaders were persuaded to include me as their patient success story in tonight’s program. Tom gave me a heads-up before they called…

Two weeks ago, Mahomes went to the goalposts hours before the game started at Allegiant Stadium – all by himself – to kneel and pray that God would use him while in the spotlight that evening, and that – through his efforts – God would be glorified. When the “win” was secured, Patrick fulfilled his part of the bargain: he recognized God’s part in the outcomes.

Tonight, I’ll have seven minutes to tell my story regarding the City of Hope. Two years ago this month, I was doing my best to pray following my diagnosis with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. In the months that followed, the battle against that deadly disease was waged at the City of Hope in Duarte, California.

As of Tuesday last week, Dr. Ali – who led the team that provided my care – confirmed again that I am in-remission: there is currently no evidence of leukemia in their continuing tests on me.

I told Dr. Ali two years ago what to expect: if I was alive for Christmas ’22 (at that time, medical odds were less than 10%), he and his team would get the credit, but God would get the glory.

Now, 22 months following my successful stem cell transplant, I’ll give Dr. Ali and the City of Hope the credit, but I’ll also do what Patrick Mahomes did 15 days ago: God will get the glory.

Pray for me this evening, would you? May His name be in lights tonight, at the Gala!

Bob Shank