Sunday, April 12, 2009

A tribute to George Kadzis

Tonight's Extreme Makeover Home Edition is one of the few episodes that touched me. George Kadzis, the father of the family who received the help from Extreme Makeover, suffered from brain cancer and died around two days after their new house was built.

I always believe in helping people who deserve it and I think the Kadzis family really did deserve it: they adopted six disabled children from China. Beside extra financial burden, you have to spend a lot of time to look after the adopted children. That's why I always admire people who adopt children without asking anything in return.

Yeah, there are many poor orphans who need help in China and we can't save them all. But they can be saved one at a time, and I'm pretty sure that's what Geroge thought too.

I appreciate the sponsors of the TV program like Sears and those home builders. Yes, they benefit from the advertising of their products/services during the program, but they are also doing some good deeds to society. It's much better than simply paying an agent to create a viral ad.

It seems unfair that people with a kind heart like George would die due to a horrible and painful disease like brain cancer (ABC didn't show his face in the epsisode so I could imagine how the brain tumors have deformed his appearance). However, people who are inspired by him will bring hopes to the most hopeless places in the world, just like how George himself was inspired by Stevie Wonder after he listend to his performance in the 70's.

I can only manage to take care of myself and possibly my own future family now. Someday I wish I can do more though...

39 comments:

  1. Becky5:58 AM

    I COULDN'T AGREE WITH YOU MORE ON ALL LEVELS OF COMPASSION FOR THIS FAMILY!!!!!!!!

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  2. Becky: Yes, may God bless George's family :)

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  3. Anonymous8:25 PM

    Thanks Alex for this heart felt tribute to George!! God bless you and George's precious family. Dale

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  4. Dale: Thank you for your kind words!

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  5. Anonymous9:00 PM

    I just watched this episode tonight. It's been on my Tivo for awhile now. My heart is completely broken for this family. I can't stop crying...

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  6. Doré: Yeah.. Hopefully his kids will be strong and grow up as people like their father..

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  7. Anonymous3:27 PM

    I totally agree... I know that George made a difference in everyday lives of orphans, and that was a special thing to do.

    I really think his children can change other people's lives, especially after knowing how well George has changed theirs. :)

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  8. Anonymous6:54 PM

    just watching this now, and wow.....tears and inspiration....George's legacy lives on in his wife and children and the legacy that he and his wife created.

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  9. Anonymous7:01 PM

    this is so sad!
    i just watched the episode and literally cried!

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  10. Anonymous7:05 PM

    I just watched this episode, and have been crying the entire time. I also lost my husband to brain cancer, so I can imagine the grief and loss that the family is experiencing. I pray that they lean on each other and God to help them through this difficult time. Carol

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  11. Anonymous7:06 PM

    I just witnessed the most moving of all the extreme makeover shows. I lost a brother to a brain tumor approx. 11 years ago only 1 1/2 yrs after our mothers death so this show really moved me. What a remarkable family this is and I hope from the bottom of my heart that they are doing well.

    For me this was seen on July 26th.

    Barbara
    Miami, Florida

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  12. July 26, 2009
    I just finished watching extreme makeover and my prayers go out to the Kadzis family. This TV show has touched many lives and the cast and crew are what we call doing God's work. They truly our heroes and angels. This show was particular more emotional for me because my brother-in-law who is 48yrs old has Stage 4 Brain Cancer as we speak. He has a wonderful wife and two young boy's ages 10 and 12. My family will be going up north to spend what may be his last Christmas with them. We also live in Florida. I can feel and understand what the Kadzis's family is going through. May God bless there strength, spirit, love, and support for one another. And, may God bless the Crew of the Extreme Makeover show to be able to help so many. GREAT JOB EVERYONE
    Michelle
    North Port, Florida

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  13. Anonymous7:33 PM

    I just watched that wonderful episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition and I was bawling my eyes out. What a touching story. To me it was the fact that George did not have an opportunity to see what Ty and the crew did for his family. How sad, then as I headed upstairs, my faith kicked me right in the butt. He is right there, it was me who didn't get to see George experience the great gifts his family received. How GREAT to be, to be able to take that weight off the back of a man in his position, to give that family some peace. How wonderful, we should be doing more wonderful things in this world of ours. I pray the Kadzis family finds peace, God Bless you all, especially the ones who made themselves available to help give their very special gifts. Carol, CT

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  14. how sad that another person had died needlessly! The cancer treatment centers of america are here to help where some doctors give up. why don't the doctors tell the public about the facility? $$$ We all have a choice to learn to make better decisions about our health. Don't let the "white" coats tell you what to do. Become your own FDA of your body and research the work of the Nobel Scientists. Much of their natural work is turned into drugs that will cause deadly side effects like they did with Dr Pauling and Dr Ignarro; he made the natural discovery that was used to create Viagra. Increase the nitric oxide like Dr Ignarro tells us to improve blood flow. God made the perfect body and it was not intended for drugs. Your mind is like a parachute. It is only good when it is OPEN! Dr Warburg in 1931 discovered something everyone should research and learn about your body pH. Cancer dispises oxygen and it feeds on sugar!

    email me or reply if you want to do some research. This is a recorded message for anyone that wants to learn - 1.212.990.7025 - updated every Monday by 6pm EST.

    In good health!
    Harry - Baltimore MD

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  15. Anonymous10:33 PM

    every time I watch "EXTERME MAKEOVER" it touches my heart and gives me hope to see how Great it is to help these wonderfull families & I greatly appreciate ABC & all it's sponsers including Ty & all his crew to make life a little bit easier on these wonderfull. It should be a good lesson to all of us.
    GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.

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  16. Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. May God bless you all!

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  17. Anonymous2:04 AM

    May God bless this precious family God called home a angel I too was adopted and it was awesome they adopted these 6 children from the Lord God bless you

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  18. Anonymous10:33 AM

    Yes I saw this episode last night and when at the end it said he lost his battle of cancer. I could not stop crying. I was so sad. I thought he would survive. <:''((

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  19. Anonymous12:25 PM

    I just finished watching a re-run of this episode and I have to say, even watching it a second time really hit me hard. I cried through most of it because they had so much love in their family, and to have a tragedy like that happen is heart-breaking. God Bless the Kadzis family, you guys have definitely touched so many lives, including mine.

    To George,
    May you rest in peace and know that your family is taken care of and loved by so many people. GOD BLESS YOU

    Stephanie- Los Gatos, California

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  20. Anonymous2:17 AM

    I too just finished watching this episode of the Kadzis family and their new home 11th Aug (Australia). I cried all the way through the show and it broke my heart to know that George lost his battle to cancer. The family showed so much love and understanding and my heart goes out to them all. I hope that they find the strength to get through this most terrible time. May god be with you all. Wendy

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  21. Anonymous10:13 AM

    i just watched this episode in Greece and I too bawled my eyes out...such pure love, his wife Barbra such a LADY expecially the scene with Stevie Wonder..her falling on her knees and also signlanguaging for her children...what a family..all the good guys go..at least George is in heaven with a smile on his face..Greetings from Greece and may God be with us all...Patricia

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  22. I didn't know that Extreme Makeover Home Edition air in Greece too. Thanks for your comment Patricia!

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  23. Anonymous6:55 AM

    Just watched this episode of extreme makerover edition in the uk and it was really moving to see the humility of the mother, what a gift of a woman and the way the family had touched their whole community. So much love and support, breathtaking!

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  24. Anonymous5:51 PM

    This show realy touched deep down to see a mother devote her life to these children in need and give them the love from a famly.My heart go's out to the famly who lost a kind and giving father who only wanted a safe home for those wonderful children. To Barb Kadzid you still have a long journey ahead you may god bless you and your children be strong.

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  25. Anonymous12:36 PM

    I just watched a re-peat of Home Edition with this lovely family. NOT knowing the outcome until I came online. He reminded me so much of my own daddy. My heart broken a million times with this story. But God has a plan for all of us and these children are loved beyond words. GOD BLESS this family. Keep the faith and stay strong.

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  26. I'm in Santiago, Chile, South America... I just watch the show. I think George was alive waiting for the show, and after he knew his family will be ok, he put a smile on his face and passed away.
    All my love to the widow and George's sons and daugthers...

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  27. Anonymous10:31 PM

    I live in Guatemala City in Central America. I just watched Extreme Makeover today August 24 2010. This time it really really really touched my hearth. I am still cryin. I can not stop it. God Bless The Kadzis Family. And George take care of them from heaven. Rest in peace George. Your life and you family is wonderful. Your wife George is an Amazing woman.

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  28. Guillermo J.6:10 AM

    I live in México, in Celaya. I think God Bless these angels. You touched our family, and thank you so much to show us how much love we can give. Sorry about my english.

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  29. Does anyone know how the family is doing in 2010?

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  30. Anonymous1:05 AM

    I just watched this episode and I'm still choking back the tears, after a good cry. What a wonderful example of love! I don't know how to "Comment As" so it will be anonymous, but it's from...
    Joyce

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  31. Anonymous1:44 AM

    Hi!Im Paola from Tijuana, Mexico...today is december 1st 2010, and Oh My God!i just watched this episode and im still choking!I was crying all the time, thanks God for the Kadzis parents for help this guys, cuz no everybody do it, and thanks God too for the people who helps to do everything there, God bless this big family and all people who care about them and the others how our Lord says...Sorry about my english...Greetings, and God bless you...Paola

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  32. I live in San Francisco, CA, USA. I think God Bless these angels. You touched our family, and thank you so much to show us how much love we can give.

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  33. God bless George and his whole family. they are really angels on this earth. All of us should learn from them.

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  34. Anonymous12:05 PM

    I am in uk and only just been able to watch this program about Ty and George , what a wonderful family , such a shame he lost the battle , god bless them all XXXX

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  35. Bronwyn8:43 PM

    Its the 5 of December 2011 and I have only just watched the episode which showed George and his family getting the house that they so richly deserved. I cried from start to end and thought that how much we take our husbands, wives, mothers, fathers and other family members for granted. This family has shown me that there is more love in this world than just in our own backyard. God bless each and every one of you and I send lots of love to you all from New Zealand.

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  36. Anonymous10:49 PM

    This episode is currently being shown on tv in New Zealand. My heart aches words cannot express what i am feeling. I hope the family are doing ok now in 2012 and living every day with a special angel watching over them.

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  37. Wendy J Barthelmess4:55 PM

    Today the episode played about the Kadzis family. God bless you all. How are you all doing now? I truly feel that Extreme Makeover Home Edition is a blessing to all, who are served and all who watch, and all who support the show. Thank you

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  38. Anonymous6:01 AM

    Omg, I have no idea this show is aired in so many places! Just watched it here in Singapore 23rd January 2012. Find it so amazing at the strength of the family's faith in God despite everything they're going through. May God watch over and bless them all!

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  39. Anonymous2:06 PM

    This episode has just aired this evening in Italy. I am so touched and moved by this family's story. I'm sure George is twinkling brightly from up above his new family home, looking down on his loving wife Barbara and all their beautiful children. Such an inspiration to us all. What an amazing example of love and togetherness.

    Thank you Home Edition for all you've done for them n others.

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