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Posted May 30, 2008 MiracleHome Builder's work a personal mission  For contractor Mitch Lewis, building the Batson Hospital MiracleHome is not only a professional accomplishment but also is a deeply personal one. Most people don’t realize that he has had to overcome his own battle with cancer to get where he is today. Lewis, who is a member of the Home Builder’s Association of Jackson which co-created the MiracleHome project with Friends in 2003, says he jumped at the chance to work on the Batson Hospital MiracleHome. "I had cancer. I went through aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatment. It about killed me and I was in pretty good shape. Kids don't deserve to go through something like that. If I can help them by building this house, then that's what I am going to do" Lewis said. After returning home from active duty with the Armed Forces, Lewis noticed he was losing his voice and had pain in his throat. He was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, the second most common form of skin cancer, on his left vocal cord. After surgery, chemotherapy and radiation he is in remission, but with a completely different outlook on life. "Before I was pretty wild, but this [having cancer] changed everything. I am closer to my family and we are in church every Sunday. I heard about the MiracleHome on television and knew this was a way I could give back and help the kids." Lewis has employed the help of many subcontractors who have also proved their dedication to the children's hospital. "I am grateful to my subcontractors who have come through for me on this job. I surround myself with people who give 110% and it really shows." Lewis has been a member of the Armed Forces for 13 years and since coming home he has kept busy building houses and volunteering his time with the police force and his church. He expects to have the house completed by mid-May and looks forward to finding out who wins the house. "The best thing is knowing that the house will go to someone who appreciates it, someone who understands that this is all for the children's hospital and who hopefully needs the house. I really wanted to give back to the community in building this house and I hope the winner continues that tradition." Tickets for the 2008 MiracleHome are on sale now. They are $100 each and only 6,000 will be sold. Please call 1-877-AHome2U to order tickets or for more information. Or you can visit the MiracleHome Website at www.AHome2U.com |