Pay It Forward Les’s Way

“The life given us by nature is short; but the memory of a well-spent life is eternal.” ~ Cicero 106-43BC

Thank you for checking out our website, the website that bears my husband’s name and will honor his legacy.  My hope and intention for this site is to keep Les’s legacy alive; to honor his life by maintaining his standards of excellence, integrity, intelligence, respect, humor and faith.

Les was always the first to see the good in a situation, the good in people, and find the humorous side to many of life’s ups and downs.  He did so with dignity and acceptance of all people and all faiths, always lending a helping hand to so many causes in the Portland area.  He truly lived his life with a “pay it forward” approach and demonstrated it through his actions every day.

Les gave of himself and to each of us with such discipline; he was determined to be the best he could possibly be.  He felt he was honoring God and the gifts he was given by doing so.  Whether it was in preparing for his excellence in radio, emceeing a gala event, telethon for the Oregon Humane Society, or simply a youth fundraiser at our church, he gave and gave more of himself and did so when there was little left of himself to give… he still gave!  In all the years we were together, I could compare Les’s character to the pediatrician or ER doctor friend of the family: always ready and willing.
 
One year ago, Les had the two cancerous, walnut-size tumors removed from his left lung, a section of his lung removed, and non-cancerous lymph nodes removed.  Les went back to work only one week after the surgery!  The doctors chided him but were also blown away, as most people take three weeks to a month to recuperate.  Two weeks later we were at a LIVESTRONG event and were profoundly moved by the fact that our lives clearly would never be the same again.

Even after Les’s passing, he continues to give in so many ways!  I just received a letter from the Lions Eye Bank of Oregon, informing me that Les’s donation resulted in two corneal transplants; two individuals who were blind have an opportunity to regain their sight! 

One recipient said,

“In the short time since my transplant my world has already changed. I can read a newspaper, the telephone book and my watch.  All the colors around me are bright and clear instead of foggy.  I hope you find some comfort in knowing that your decision to donate to the Eye Bank has had a very positive result.” 

Another states,

“I thank the Lord each and every night for the gift that he has provided for me through your loved one.  Thank you for making the decision to donate  to help those in need.  Your love has changed my life in so many ways that I couldn’t thank you enough.”

Barbara L. Crow, the Director of the Eye Bank says,

“May you take comfort in knowing that this priceless gift of your loved one will continue to serve.”

Two months later my tears are still endless; even as I type this, it is hard for me to see through them!  Barbara’s words sum up Les pretty well and in just one sentence!  It is my prayer to keep Les’s legacy alive by honoring Les individually in our lives, through his book, which was his farewell to us, through this website, and through the development of a non-profit organization that bears his name as a means to pay it forward Les’s way!  He can continue to be an example for us each day as we keep him in our hearts in a positive and proactive manner.  Let us forever honor the spirit of someone who meant so much to so many of us and in so many ways!

Please spend some time with our site. As it is a work in progress, you’ll see it changing regularly.
 
 I do not know of any other way for me to go forward without him other than to honor him with this website and the new non-profit – The Les Sarnoff Memorial Foundation – Pay It Forward Les’s Way!   So please help us to launch this by staying connected, giving us feedback and simply communicating with us!  It is our goal to give to all the charities Les did while recognizing others and seeking the opportunity to give back just like he did on his Morning Show.  We also want this non-profit to be a big part in the war against the deadliest of cancers, metastatic melanoma, which took his life on April 17, 2009.  For more than 30 years, he gave to the metro area in any and every way he possibly could… now it is our turn to give back!