Photo By Leon Roberts | David Quint (wearing St. Jude Hero tank top), Labor and Management Employee Relations...... read more read more
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 23, 2016) – A former U.S. Navy officer now serving as a government human relations employee is juggling with his own personal adversity while at the same time gaining a little notoriety in support of his favorite charity.
David Quint, Labor and Management Employee Relations specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, recently juggled three hacky-sack balls over the entire 13-mile St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon in Music City. Each breath and stride, and every coordinated toss and catch as he kept pace on the streets of Nashville served as a moving tribute to his sister, who is in assisted living with an untreatable brain tumor.
At work Quint guides leadership with “HR” issues that affect the organization. He also manages family life and keeps up with the daily activities and routines of his seven children. Despite these demands on his time, he said the situation with his beautiful and sweet sister compels him to do something to make a difference, and that something is to volunteer as the “running juggler” for St. Jude and to help kids beat cancer.
The former U.S. Naval Academy cadet learned the fundamentals of juggling 30 years ago when as a sophomore he simply just got bored standing watch. He began with three tennis balls, but during his senior year explored what it would take to run and juggle.
Through various stages of his life he kept on “having a ball,” honing his ability to run and juggle while avoiding hazards such as other runners, curbs, pot holes, dogs and even tree limbs. Changing his focus to the horizon and not on his juggling, Quint perfected his technique.
“I realized they always had pictures and video of the guy who comes in first – that’s not me – and then there’s that tall skinny guy who’s juggling, and I get my picture taken or interviewed,” Quint said. “So I want to use this talent for a more worthy cause. So I’ve been raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Wounded Warriors, Orphans in Africa, crisis pregnancy centers and a number of different nonprofits.”
At the St. Jude race in Nashville April 30 he garnered media attention before and during the race. While he enjoys juggling and performing for the crowds, he noted that it’s all about helping kids and ensuring families never pay a penny when fighting cancer.
“Many families are affected by cancer, mine as well,” Quint stressed. “So why not help children who are affected by cancer – thus the relationship with St. Jude.”
Kassidy Johnson, representative with the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., said Quint is one of 2,000 St. Jude Heroes who participated in the marathon in Music City. She said he is unique because he uses his talent to highlight the lifesaving work that makes it possible for cancer-stricken children to live.
Because Dave has such a unique skill and a personal connection to cancer, he is able to connect the dots and able tell a beautiful personal story while standing in front of a camera juggling, she explained.
“He makes great eye contact and speaks to the mission and vision of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital… he is so keenly aware of why we run for a reason - for the kids of St. Jude - and is also able to carry our message far and wide. One of the reasons we love working with Dave is because he is always ready to tell the masses that no family pays a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food - because families should be focused on helping their child to live,” Johnson said.
Quint moved to Nashville about a year ago from Memphis where he also served with the Corps of Engineers and would routinely drive by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“It fit perfectly to help children who can’t help themselves,” Quint said. “Somewhere there is going to be a mom and a dad out there who need to take their kid to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital who just got that ‘C’ word bad news.”
With his sister’s ailing health, Quint said he admires her courage and can’t sit still. It keeps him involved in marathons where he can juggle for the cause of curing kids.
Going to charity races also provides critically needed exercise for the former naval officer and Corps of Engineers employee. About 15 years ago he had six titanium screws and rods placed in his spine. Doctors even used part of his hip bone as a graph to reinforce his neck during spinal fusion surgery.
After the surgery, Quint took about a year to recover. At first he used a walker just to get from his bed to the bathroom, and took several more years to get into shape for his first half marathon, which he also juggled in 2003.
“I didn’t used to work out so much,” he said. “Now I do because I have to. If I get overweight I’ll have major back problems. So to solve that and avoid pain I exercise. Since I have to exercise I might as well have some fun while I’m doing it.”
Quint always stretches before and after running, which is a little painful. But he said it’s for a great cause and it keeps him mobile, and he is excited with the huge impact he and so many others are making in terms of cancer survival. The Nashville event alone raised approximately $2 million for St. Jude.
About 80 percent of children were defeated by disease 50 years ago. That’s about when Danny Thomas founded St. Jude, which is the same timeframe as Quint’s birth. Today, with generous donors, volunteers, runners and so many other supporters, about 80 percent of kids overcome their disease.
“And that’s something to run and juggle about,” Quint said.
It rained during the half marathon in Nashville, but with the help of a hat with a brim, Quint successfully kept his eyes on the prize and completed the event with a time of 2:29:32.
(For more news, updates and information please follow the Nashville District on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.)
| Date Taken: | 05.23.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.23.2016 11:26 |
| Story ID: | 198757 |
| Location: | NASHVILLE, TN, US |
| Web Views: | 128 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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