A Life Well Lived
4/15/09 - Lisa Bingham

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. April 15, 2009: The 2007 IHRA Top Fuel World Champion, Bruce Litton, is quite an intimidating presence when behind the wheel of his 300+ mph dragster. But when the helmet comes off, it's a different story. Bruce's big heart shines through his welcoming smile to everyone he meets. Starting at the upcoming Spring Nationals in Rockingham, N.C. Bruce's big heart will shine through his Lucas Oil dragster as well, as it displays a decal commemorating the life of a very special individual.

Karsyn Bell only graced this earth for four years, but her impact was widely felt in her short time. The daughter of Brad and Anne Bell of Bristol, Ind., Karsyn was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor when she was only two and a half years old. She fearlessly fought a long battle and won many victories, but on January 23, 2009 she passed from this life, leaving behind a lasting legacy that lives on in the memories of all who knew her. Her story is filled with unimaginable pain and grief but is laced with a grace and strength so incredible that it continues to stretch way beyond her four year old frame to touch the lives of all who knew her and even many others who didn't.

Suspicions of a brain tumor first came about in January of 2007. In April, Karsyn was diagnosed and sent directly to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis for brain surgery. Karsyn's mom, Anne, retells the story:

“We went in for further testing and never made it home. They sent us directly to Riley Children's Hospital for brain surgery the following morning. That's the worst news you can ever hear as a parent, but Riley did a fantastic job with her. She was in house not even a full week with the brain surgery and recovery. They removed the entire tumor. Then she was sent for 33 radiation treatments. We were really hopeful that we had beaten the cancer. In November of 2007 she developed Bells Palsy. The doctors told us not to worry right away, but shortly after Christmas we discovered there was a new tumor. The second time we were at Riley for treatment we spent about another week there. Once again we thought they had gotten the entire tumor and things looked good. They sent us back for a second round of radiation. After that we had a couple of clear scans. Then a scan on September 11, 2008 showed multiple spots. From then on we couldn't ever really stop it.”

The love Karsyn's parents have for her is evident in every word they speak of her. Karsyn loved generously, and her enormous heart endeared her to many. Her father, Brad, gives due credit to her life well lived:

“Karsyn lived by four basic principles: her love for God, her love for life, her love for her family and her love for her friends. She took pride in getting to know people and making new friends and most of her family and friends did not know that each and every night before bed she would say her prayers and ask for special blessings for all of her family and friends. She would name everyone in her prayer. After a while her bed time prayers would get lengthy but it was important to her. Anne and I were always amazed as to the depth of her caring for others, especially for her little sister Kami. Karsyn and Kami were not only sisters but best friends. Karsyn would take special care of her sister, and Karsyn instilled into her love for learning, saying her prayers and reading. Karsyn had a wonderful gift of making you feel like you were an important person to her. I have never been shown love from someone like I have been shown from Karsyn. She taught me how to be a dad. She taught me how to be slow to anger and to love nature, and through her Anne and I have a restored faith in our fellow man. I, personally, have not known a four year old girl to touch so many lives in such a short time. She had the love of entire church congregation along with prayer groups from numerous churches throughout the U.S.

“If you were to be able to meet her today, she would say ‘hi' to you and she would ask you to read her a book. She would sit on your lap and listen intently while you read, and after the book she would have a conversation with you about either the book you just read or your favorite color or she would tell you stories about her and her sister. Karsyn had a grace about her as well. She hardly complained about feeling poorly or about the amount of medicine she had to take or all of the different doctors she had to visit. She did not worry about all of that like Anne and I did. She would take me by the hand and comfort me during the times when bad news came her way. And I know when she did feel poorly she did not want to tell us because she knew we would worry. She would say ‘I feel good. I don't feel sick.' We knew she did not feel well, but it was her concern for others that would shine through. Our priest has said numerous times that he believes that we have all been shown the face of God through Karsyn. Even though we are extremely sad, and most days are very difficult to get through, I take comfort in that statement because the more I look back on her life and listen to stories people tell me about how she touched their lives, I think he is right.”

It's no wonder that Bruce Litton has chosen to honor such a life. It's no wonder that Karsyn is incredibly missed. And it's no wonder that she blessed so many lives in her short time.

“I remember when Brad and Anne were expecting Karsyn,” tells Litton. “I've known the family for quite some time. Karsyn was very special girl. I really want to honor her life. This has nothing to do with racing. This has nothing to do with sports. This has to do with lives. Every one of us is connected to a child in some way. These children are our future. That makes a soft spot in anybody's heart. If you have a child that's healthy, then you're blessed. I'd like to see Riley Hospital for Children gain support so that someday when someone does need help it will be there for them with all the modern technology and the best doctors available to take care of these kids. You never know when it may be a child of your own.”

The decal commemorating Karsyn's life will also promote Riley Hospital for Children, where Karsyn underwent both brain surgeries.

“Karsyn never feared being at Riley,” tells Anne about Karsyn's experience there. “She looked forward to going there and seeing what kind of treats they had and riding in the red wagon. It was never a place I had to drag her, kicking and screaming to. It was never a scary place to her, and that was always something that was very much a blessing. All the specialists she had there were awesome. And they always treated us very well. They never treated us as if we were rich or poor. We were one of the many they treated with dignity and kindness. The two brain surgeries we had there were phenomenal.”

United Trailers, Brad's employer, was also a wonderful blessing during the difficult times of Karsyn's battle. “United Trailers has been there for me and my family since Karsyn was born,” explains Brad. “Karsyn grew up with United Trailers. She loved to come and visit me at work. She knew most everyone at United Trailers and would always make time to visit each person, have time for a ‘hello' or a ‘high five'. United Trailers not only acknowledged her during her tough times but walked those tough times with her. When Karsyn was first diagnosed with her brain tumor, United Trailers contacted a local restaurant and organized a fund raiser for her. When we had to relocate to Bloomington, Indiana for two months so Karsyn could receive her radiation treatments United Trailers not only kept me on the payroll and insured, they provided me with a computer to try to work from the road when time permitted. And we had to relocate to Bloomington after each of her two brain surgeries. Anne and I are sure that without the support of United Trailers we would have had a much more difficult road. United Trailers is a very special company that values their employees. I am very grateful and blessed to be a part of United Trailers.”

Anne continues through tears, as she remembers the life of her precious daughter, “She's certainly a personality that's missed every minute. When someone's truly down and out, and unfortunate things happen that are not caused by whether you're rich or poor or a good person or a bad person, there are a lot of people out there who see that and kind-heartedly want to help. Bruce is a great example of that. He can't take away our pain or change what happened, but he was always a spiritual listener to pray with us or to lift us up in any way. And he's a great example of honoring her life. United Trailers, gave my husband any time he wanted or needed, even if it was just because he was feeling so sad he couldn't go to work that day, or if he just wanted to hold his daughter an extra day. They said, ‘ok you do it.' They never complained. They just wanted to help in any way they could.

“We don't hear enough of those stories when tragic things happen. All the good that has surrounded Karsyn's life has certainly restored my faith in the kindness of the general people out there. I don't think people realize how much good we have to share with each other until really something awful like this happens. Karsyn's life wasn't a sad life at all. It was short but it wasn't sad.”

Litton is committed to honoring Karsyn's short but radiant life. He is committed to raising awareness for other children like Karsyn who face a life-threatening illness. He is committed to helping give them a hope and a future. With this commitment, the Lucas Oil dragster will proudly display the decal honoring Karsyn and Riley Hospital for Children for the remainder of the 2009 season. “I'm going to run the decal the rest of the year and try to get recognition for our kids, for our future, for Karsyn Bell,” says the big-hearted Champ. “We're very thankful for Lucas Oil and United Trailers giving their support in our efforts to raise awareness. It's great to see people like them and many others who have helped along the way come together through tragedy to bring something positive out of it. It makes us realize how deeply we are all connected and reminds us to be thankful everyday for all that we have. The Bell's situation is heartbreaking, and there are other families out there going through these same things. We want to ensure that we're doing everything we can to give these kids a future. We want to honor the efforts of Riley Hospital for Children and we want to honor the children themselves who fearlessly face life's toughest battles. Karsyn was one of these and we are proud to honor her life.”

Perhaps Karsyn's priest was right and she has shown us the very face of God. Perhaps she should be an example to all of us how to live and love fearlessly, even in the face of intense tragedy and pain. A life ended tragically short, but lived to the fullest every day speaks to us and inspires us to embrace each day and focus our energies on the best things in life – the people around us, and to cherish them while we can. This is what Karsyn has taught us. This is the legacy of her life well-lived.

In Loving Memory of Karsyn Joann Bell

April 27, 2004 – January 23, 2009