Our fraternity recently elected to make the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society our international philanthropy in honor of John Romine (PU '06), who lost his battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma on December 5, 2008.

From the FH Insider- 12/11/08

It is with a heavy heart that we pass on the news that on Friday, December 5, John Romine (PU '06) ended his long battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and is now at peace and without pain.
 
John was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma four years ago. On Monday, December 1, he was admitted into Intensive Care at Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis. His condition progressively became worse over the last week, and as they prepared to move John back home for hospice care after a long and sleepless night, it became too much for him.
 
Hundreds of family, friends and FarmHouse men attended his visitation on Tuesday of this week in Columbus, Indiana. Others celebrated his life and legacy at this funeral yesterday at the Newbern United Methodist Church, as his 60+ Purdue chapter brothers lined the congregation adorning yellow rose boutonnieres in his memory. Following the memorial, several of his brothers served as pallbearers, as family, friends and fraternity brothers paid their respects at a peaceful cemetery service.
 
We all are aware of John's impact on the Fraternity and the power of his special message at Conclave 2008. During the opening banquet, John shared the powerful story of his personal battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Through his message of what FarmHouse means to him, John shared the story of the impact and support his FarmHouse brothers of the Purdue chapter provided him along his journey. John asked that all FarmHouse brothers consider supporting this effort through their own chapter philanthropies on their respective campuses.
 
His message did not fall on deaf ears. As the delegates of Conclave, passed a resolution proposed by the International Board of Directors, for chapters to support the National Leukemia-Lymphoma Society as a national philanthropy, in addition to encouraging all FarmHouse men to consider bone morrow donor testing and registry and to educate their respective members and campus communities on this powerful blood cancer whose primary target is males ages 18 to 25.

John leaves us at much too young of an age, but he certainly lived a joyous and accomplished life as a son, uncle, brother, accomplished runner, cattleman, Christmas-tree farmer, Eagle Scout, FFA American degree holder, and as he learned last week, a college graduate.

 Our chapter had the priviledge of meeting John and hearing his story at Conclave 2008. We have learned that we cannot give a fight merely because of the pain that will be encountered along the way. John will forever be remember by his international FarmHouse family for being a prime example of a FarmHouse man.