On Sept. 6, many of us at IU School of Medicine suffered a tremendous loss. Joel Priddy, a third-year student, died after battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for several months. Joel was a loved son, brother and boyfriend, a tremendous friend, and a respected colleague. Though I knew him only a few years, I was proud to call him my best friend.
Joel's resilience, selflessness and courage throughout the progression of his disease was astounding. Never did he ask for an ounce of sympathy or pity; rather, Joel went out of his way to accommodate and serve others. While struggling through chemotherapy, Joel completed his second year of medical school, served as the School's social vice president, hosted the annual Evening of The Arts fundraiser - and above all, maintained his witty, carefree humor and love for life.
As Joel's disease progressed, he changed. His hair fell out, his stamina decreased, and he developed countless side effects from the barrage of toxic chemicals that was being pumped into his body. But there was a greater transformation going on within Joel. A week before he passed on, Joel said to me something I will never forget. "Kevin, I'm actually thankful that I've had to go through all of this. I believe this may have been the Lord's way of getting through to me what life is really all about. Nothing here really matters, does it? It's all about Him."
A week later, the night before Joel passed on, he crawled into bed with his parents, gave them a hug, and told them, "I'm not afraid to die." Joel had conquered death - he had taken his Lord's hand and was ready to move on to a better, more peaceful place.
I still mourn, as I know many others do, and it feels like a piece of my heart is missing. There's an appropriate line from a Garth Brooks' song my roommate Kevin Condict and I sang with Joel at last year's Evening of the Arts: I could've missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss The Dance.
Joel Priddy didn't miss either as he danced through this world and into the next.
Kevin M. Crawford, MS3, is social vice president of the Class of 2002. A special scholarship fund has been established in Mr. Priddy's honor. For more information, write: Joel Priddy Memorial Fund, IU School of Medicine, Office of Development, 1110 W. Michigan Street, LO40, Room 506, Indianapolis, Ind., 46202.