Tribute in Memory of: Dave Bushman

Dave Bushman

Dedication

In Loving Memory of Dave Bushman

Personal Story

It is with a heavy heart that we share the loss of a passionate, respected and long-time FORCE volunteer to COVID-19 on April 5, 2020. Dave Bushman was a very special friend and an extremely inspirational volunteer at FORCE. He went above and beyond to empower individuals and families about hereditary cancer as a Peer Navigator, State Impact Leader, Research Advocate and Speaker at our FORCE conference. To make an even larger impact, he recruited his entire family to help raise awareness and share FORCE’s mission. Dave was always part of a team. His wife, Jessie, was by his side as a co-leader volunteer for the past seven years, helping families in the New Jersey area. Dave and Jessie wanted to save lives in honor of all of his family members who are affected by hereditary cancer.

In 2018 we were honored to recognize Dave and Jessie with our Spirit of Empowerment Award. Their smiles lit up the room as they walked up to the stage. They were so proud to have shared this special moment with their children, Jay and Dana, and Dave's sister, Annie, and other close family members surrounding them.

In Dave’s acceptance speech, he shared his hereditary cancer wish list:

May your genetic test be negative
If your genetic test is positive, may you never get cancer
If you do get cancer, may it be diagnosed very early
If you have cancer, may your surgery go smoothly and uneventfully and may your treatment be short and recoverable
May every survivor and previvor have a strong support group of family and friends
And may there come a day when cancer is only a zodiac sign

On behalf of the FORCE community, we extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends. Thank you, Dave, for making a true difference and being a champion for our community. We were so lucky to have you be a part of our FORCE family. Your kindness and dedication will have a lasting impact on the lives of so many people. You will be greatly missed.

Read Dave’s blog, "My Experience As A Male Previvor" https://www.facingourrisk.org/get-involved/HBOC-community/BRCA-HBOC-blogs/FORCE/hboc-week/my-experience-as-a-male-previvor/

We are compiling messages from our community to share with the Bushman family. If you would like us to share a message, please email it to [email protected].

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People who have donated to this tribute

Anonymous
Lorraine Bellagamba
Ken&TaraFreundlich
Sandy Cohen
Laurie & Carrie Spiegel
Lisa Rezende and Tsu-Shuen Tsao
Irwin Dolobowsky
Lauren Gordon and family
Gail Leicht
Kathie Bergen-Grove
Joanne McWilliamd
Jill Bernstein
Peggy Cottrell
Diane & Thomas Rose
Martin and Phyllis Rubin
Tara
Kate M Sherman
Kaleidoscope of Hope Ovarian Cancer Foundation
Andi & Steve Cohen
Linda Carlton and Scott Wynn
Robin Karlin
Becky, Scottso, Olivia & Kai Kriegsman
Julie Somers and family
Abby, Amanda, Annie, Bobbie, Jane, Janie, Jessica, Karen, Lauren, Laurie, Stephanie & Tara
Lauren D'Amico