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Remembering Virginia: AF captain uses CFC to honor fallen friend

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alesia Goosic
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  "I will not let fear rule my life. I will not be consumed with cancer. I will go on and live my life as fully and with as much joy as I possibly can ... I ask that you keep me in your prayers and thoughts. I ask that when you think of me, you picture me healthy, vital, whole, cured. I plan on beating this thing, and will fight, unless and until the universe tells me it has different plans for me."

Those were the words Virginia Thomas sent to her friends in an email shortly after she had been re-diagnosed with cancer in 2004. Capt. Reagan Beaton remembers it well.

As Captain Beaton explained Virginia's battle with cancer, he also talked about her tenacious spirit, her resiliency in the face of cancer, her compassionate personality and he laughed as he talked about her overzealous love of Texas.

"She was a fighter. She was a fiery individual with a great personality," the captain said of the woman who was a big part of both his and his wife's lives during their college days. "Virginia herself, I think she gets part of her personality from growing up in Austin, Texas. She was a big Texan and loved everything about Texas. She loved Austin and she loved her family very much."

Captain Beaton said Virginia fought and won the battle against cancer once, when first diagnosed with cancer in 2003, only to be diagnosed with cancer again 18 months later. "Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with cancer again. This time it was much worse and had spread through much of her body," he said of his friend's second battle with cancer. "The odds weren't in her favor, but she was determined to fight until the end. She maintained a sense of humor and perspective throughout her fight against the disease."

Virginia died from cancer March 21, 2005 leaving behind her a legacy of friendship, leadership, and good citizenship.

"As she passed away, her dying wish was that instead of sending flowers to her funeral or her family, we instead give to organizations that support cancer research to help avoid tragedies like this from happening in the future," said Captain Beaton, who serves as a legal advisor to the 353rd Special Operations Group.

The captain continues to honor Virginia's last request by donating to cancer research through the Combined Federal Campaign. He's donated to cancer research every year since he joined the AF in 2006, and this year, he's serving as Kadena's Community Area Project Officer for the CFC.

"By serving in the Air Force, Airmen have sought to serve a greater good," the captain said. "By giving to the CFC, individuals are able to continue their service to worthy causes. For my wife and I, giving to the CFC, specifically, to help fund cancer research, is how we honor Virginia."

For those people who don't participate in the CFC, Captain Beaton has a very simple message: "It doesn't matter how much you give, it's just the fact that you give," he said. "By taking a few minutes to flip through the Official Charity Listing or search through charities on the CFC-Overseas website (www.cfcoverseas.org), you'll find an organization that benefits a cause you're passionate about," he added.

For Captain Beaton and his wife, it's an easy choice to donate to cancer research because that's something that he and his wife are passionate about. Although cancer research isn't everyone's passion, with over 2,300 charities to choose from, the CFC has something for everyone.

"Whether it's medical research, saving the planet, helping out your fellow Airmen in times of need, or feeding homeless children, find something that's important to you and you can make a difference," Captain Beaton said.

The captain said CFC gives people the opportunity to give to organizations they're passionate about and help those particular organizations.

"My story with Virginia is unique to me, but everyone has shared similar experiences, or have causes that they are similarly interested in advancing. By giving to CFC, you choose exactly where you want your money to go and which worthy causes you benefit," he said.