There are many different reasons why families engage in philanthropic giving.

Family philanthropy can be a complex blend of giving cultures, approaches, motivations, legacies and structures. During a time of heightened economic and geopolitical turbulence, which is also highlighting rising social inequality and deepening environmental problems, families of wealth are becoming more deeply involved in their philanthropic commitments.

"As the global economy grows, so does the number of wealthy individuals making philanthropy a key part of their lives. They're seeking new approaches and instruments to address acute social and environmental issues effectively," said Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors CEO Melissa A. Berman.

The same drivers that have been affecting changing investment strategies, where returns beyond financial are being expected from companies, have been playing an increasing role in shaping philanthropy. This why it's important to consider innovative practices, tools, measurability and approaches to increase and measure the impact families seek and explore the issues stakeholders are concerned about.

As highlighted in the recently released Global Trends and Strategic Time Horizons in Family Philanthropy 2020, a report by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) and Campden Wealth, there are several main factors to consider when exploring why families give. These include the types of vehicles through which they donate, what shapes their philanthropic time horizon choices, popular causes, and engagement of the next generation.

1. Giving Vehicles

Structuring the right entities has always been of importance for both families and family offices. The actual vehicle for giving philanthropically can play a big role in both how the philanthropic activities sit with the family but also the possible ancillary benefits. Family foundations are the preferred vehicle according to the report, followed by direct donations to nonprofit organizations or charities (45%). Some other options include donor-advised funds (16%), and corporate or business foundations (15%).

2. Causes

Often when deciding on a cause to support, families often look close to home for something that they can relate to. This might be why globally education is the top cause families give to, constituting 29% of the average philanthropic portfolio. Education is closely followed by health (14%), and the arts, culture and sports (10%). Interestingly enough, according to the report, the environment only receives a meager 8% of the giving portfolios. As this is the first edition of the report, it will be interesting to see how this figure might change in light of all the attention on climate change.

3. Time Horizons

With the pace of work and business continuing to increase and planning cycles shortening, time horizons for philanthropic activities have also been reevaluated. More donors are proactively evaluating the time horizon of their philanthropy, considering whether it is more effective to have a predetermined end date for philanthropic initiatives or to continue in perpetuity. Even though time limited approach has seen a steady increase, most families still adopt the perpetual approach.

4. The Next generation

It's often noted that philanthropy can be an excellent vehicle to engage the next generation, a fact that was confirmed by in the report. This demographic significantly influence their families' philanthropic endeavors, often serving on boards or making site visits to their causes.

5. Decision- Making

Strategic decision-making power still tends to lie with the family. Family heads or founders were noted as the key decision-makers in 60% of cases, followed by other family members (48%). Other decision-makers could include founding donors and trustees.

The way forward

The report by Campden Wealth was based on a survey of 201 families of significant wealth who are engaged in philanthropic giving, and respondents represent 28 countries and $2.4 billion in annual giving.

We are in the early stages of a significant transition in which vast sums of wealth are changing hands between generations. The emerging generation is acutely aware of the largescale global challenges it will face, such as climate change, said Dr. Rebecca Gooch, Director of Research at Campden Wealth.

The next generation has a strong influence in the sustainable investment space, and they are also set to significantly affect philanthropic giving. This can result in more meaningful funding for important causes. As donors become more sophisticated in giving and investing, they're thinking seriously about the time horizon that makes the most sense for the goals, their motivations and visions of their own philanthropy. They also want to have a deeper connection to the projects they engage and see measurable results.

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Why Do Families Give? The 5 Spheres And Motivations Around Philanthropy - Forbes

The New York Knicks have been featuring their veterans instead of their younger players and the fan base wants to know why. The entire Knick fan base is wondering whats motivating interim coach Mike Miller to play veterans instead of fully going with the youth movement. The question is still unanswered, however, fans can still wonder if this sort of thing will continue after the trade deadline on February 6th, 2020.

Some fans believe management has been trying to save their jobs by playing the veterans in hopes of getting wins for job security. Others feel the Knicks are showcasing the veterans before the trade deadline. There are also a few others who believe its just total chaos and organizational malfunction.

All in all, there is a reason for everything. What makes sense to one doesnt necessarily mean it will make sense to others. The New York Knicks management including interim coach Mike Miller seems like they believe in their starting lineup. Chemistry seems to be a priority for some wins along with showcasing for potential trades that could lead to talent acquisition. Scott Perry definitely has a tendency of finding underperforming talent, or one who lacked opportunity on a stacked bench on another team. Therefore, nothing can really be said until the trade deadline. Nothing is obvious at this point in time when it comes to what direction the New York Knicks are headed. Time will tell and after the deadline will be a telling moment for the Knicks on the trade market and their player rotations during a live NBA game. Steve Mills and Scott Perry will be making some huge decisions with the roster in the near future.

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Whats Motivating The New York Knicks to Play Veterans Instead of Youth? - Empire Sports Media

AN NHS radiographer who illegally accessed the personal records of more than 200 female patients before pestering them for dates has denied his crimes were sexually motivated.

Andrew Stewart, 32, worked at hospitals in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire where he dealt with hundreds of patients.

He used his position to look up files of women he had been treating before hounding them with a string of messages on Facebook and WhatsApp in a desperate bid to get into relationships with them.

He provided fake names including Andy Smith and Jamie Scott to protect his identity and called various women 'hot', 'gorgeous' and even complimented one on her 'nice boobs'.

He also sent photos of himself and in one message told a woman he was mature 'when it comes to pleasing women in bed.'

Stewart, of Fenwick, Ayrshire, had earlier appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and admitted two charges of obtaining personal data of 32 named women and others without a clinical or medical reason to do so.

He also pled guilty to a further 16 charges of acting in a threatening and abusive manner to women he had contacted between March 2013 and August 2018.

However when he returned to court for sentencing, his solicitor Philip Cohen told Sheriff Thomas Millar that Stewart denied getting any sexual gratification from contacting the women.

Mr Cohen added that Stewart felt 'lonely' and had been drinking when he messaged the unsuspecting women.

A further hearing will now take place where the sheriff will rule if there was any 'significant sexual element' to Stewart's behaviour.

If it is found that there was, Stewart faces being put on the sex offenders' register.

Mr Cohen said: "It is my client's position that this offence was not committed to achieve any kind of sexual gratification at all.

"There was very little in the conversations that could be described as sexual or significantly sexual.

"It is his position that he embarked on these conversations as a result of feeling loneliness and feeling alone.

"In terms of him actually intending to have proper relationships with these women it is his position that that would not happen and did not happen.

"The motivation here was not sexual.

"He has though accepted what he has done is criminal and will be punished for that. He has lost his job and there is no chance of him being allowed to continue and his career is over."

Deferring sentence further, Sheriff Millar told Stewart's lawyer: "He has deliberately targeted these women of a certain age and made these comments to them.

"There is a potential for notification requirements in this case.

"He was commenting about women having nice boobs, being hot and being gorgeous. How can that not be sexual in nature?

"We will need to have an evidential hearing about this if that is being denied by your client."

The court had previously heard how his crimes were uncovered when a woman he had been messaging recognised him at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock and reported it.

A massive probe was launched within the NHS leading to hundreds of patients receiving letters saying that their data had been breached.

It was discovered that Stewart, who also worked at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride, had even offered to tell one female patient the results of her MRI scan before she had spoken to her consultant.

In total he had accessed around 220 patient files illegally.

When arrested by police over the matter, Stewart told officers: "I wasn't trying to achieve anything, I had no motive. This is just, I don't know how to describe this, it's loneliness if you must know, loneliness."

He will return to court in March and his bail was continued.

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Radiographer who accessed 200 female patient records denies crimes were sexually motivated - Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald

The Bears now have the dubious honor of motivating 49ers' RB Raheem Mostert's 4-TD day

Raheem Mostert's been cut by six different teams since 2015, so a chip on the shoulder isn't exactly surprising.

After his 220-yard, four touchdown performance in the NFC Championship, the 27-year old explained what still gets him motivated before every game:

And who was the last team to cut Mostert before he signed with the 49ers? The Bears of course! In2016, Mostert was signed to the theirpractice squad, and he ended up appearing in two games before getting cut in October. He made another brief appearance on the team's practice squad later in the year, but was off the roster for good by Thanksgiving.

It's not some huge indictment of the team, but since the 2020 playoffs are apparently solely focused on hurting Bears' fans without even involving the Bears, this feels about right.

It's early (extremely early) in the 2020 NFL Draft process, and the Bears' team needs between now and when their first pick (No. 43 overall) is on the clock are certain to change. The general consensus right now is that offensive line, tight end and quarterback will be early draft targets, but edge rusher can't be overlooked.

Leonard Floyd's failure to emerge as the pass rusher the Bears need to complement Khalil Mack is a bigger problem than GM Ryan Pace or coach Matt Nagy want to admit. In fact, Floyd's ineffective style of play could cost Chicago a chance at becoming a truly elite defense and potentially limit the astronomical upside Mack has as a generational talent.

If the Bears decide to pull the fifth-year option from Floyd, they'll have no choice but to attack the position early in the 2020 draft. It appears like they're doing their homework for that scenario, too.

Bears scouts met with Tulsa edge rusher Trevis Gipson at length following Wednesday's Senior Bowl practice, an indication that the position is at least high enough on their wish list that extensive homework on pass rushers is being done.

Gipson helped his draft stock at the Senior Bowl and was an early winner among edge rushers at the game. His practice reps confirmed his tape; the dude knows how to get to the quarterback. He had eightsacks in 2019 and plays with a high-energy style that's certain to entice Chicago's coaching staff. He isn't an elite athlete, but he has an appealing frame (34-inch arms) and powerful hands.

Gipson began the week as a late-Day-3 prospect. He helped his stock and may have jumped a round or two along the way.

The Bears didn't have much of a rookie class in 2019. Last April's draft produced just five picks, two of which didn't appear in a regular-season game for the Bears.

But the production of running back David Montgomery was enough to carry the rookie class to a top-10 ranking, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Bears checked-in at eighth.

The Bears have a strange class. They had only five picks, none before Round 3, with three of those five selections coming after Round 6. As a result, their expected return was low. Running backDavid Montgomerywas really the only Bears' rookie to play significant snaps, and he managed to provide enough return from his third-round selection to land them at No. 8.

It's pretty remarkable that Chicago's 2019 rookie class essentially, Montgomery garnered this much respect from PFF. Wide receiver Riley Ridley showed signs of life late in the season and cornerback Duke Shelley will be given an opportunity to carve out a role on defense next season, but with running back Kerrith Whyte, Jr. and cornerback Stephen Denmark making no impact whatsoever (Whyte is no longer with the team), the 2019 class won't be remembered as one that laid a championship foundation in Chicago.

Sure, Montgomery has a chance to become one of the NFL's more talented starting running backs (he ended his rookie season with 889 yards and six touchdowns), but if Ridley and Shelley don't turn into legitimate contributors in 2020 or 2021, the class will go down as an epic failure for GM Ryan Pace.

Remember: The Bears didn't have a first-round pick because of the trade for outside linebacker Khalil Mack. That's a win for Pace, but it doesn't change the fact that he had five selections at his disposal and ended up with what appears to be just one impact player after their rookie seasons.

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Bears among group of teams that motivated Raheem Mostert's big game - NBCSports.com

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Conor McGregor revealed he lost his motivation for UFC after achieving a rapid rise to prominence in mixed martial arts, but he says he has now rediscovered his love for the octagon.

McGregor returned after a 15-month absence on Saturday, claiming a rapid first-round victory over Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone in Las Vegas, which took just 40 seconds.

The 31-year-old had not fought since losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018, while the Irishman had also ventured into boxing when he faced Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2017.

His time away frommixed martial arts started with a six-month ban imposed after a post-fight brawl outside the cage following his showdown with Khabib.

MORE: McGregor says Mayweather rematch 'will happen', also wants Russian 'Rocky movie' fight

McGregor was then arrestedand charged with strong-armed robbery and criminal mischief in March 2019 after it was alleged he took a man's phone and smashed it on the ground in Miami the charges were later dropped. In November last year, he was finedafter pleading guilty to an assault of a man at a pub in Dublin.

However, McGregor insists he is now fully focused on his mixed martial arts career, after acknowledging that he let the people who supported him down.

"I achieved it all. I broke the game before I was 30 years of age, simple as," McGregor told a news conference. "One belt became not enough.

"My coach says its the worst nightmare for a coach if his student achieves it all the money, the fame, the belts, all of this. What then to motivate me?

"I probably had to go through that and then come back to it for the love of it, which is why I got into it in the first place. Everything's a learning curve, you learn what'sright and wrong.

"I wasn't committed and it was a disrespect of the people that believed in me. People were taking the time away from their families to come and help me and I wasn'tcommitted with it. I would train and then I'dgo missing for three days and then I'd come back and it was sporadic and on my call."

McGregor is adamant the only trick to success is hard work and discipline.

"It's all about commitment and then just do what you need to do. All I did was put in the work," he added.

"We know what the work is we need to do but sometimes you just don't do it. It's like little defeats and then those add up and your interest wanes, then you can get injured and all those things.

"It's about commitment, that's it. You put in the work and you reap the rewards, there's no secret sauce to this. Recognise what you need to do, f****** do it, and you will succeed."

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UFC 246: Conor McGregor admits he lost motivation after early success - Sporting News AU

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 25, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Jurisdictional Bishop Verdell Jones, Sr.'s book When You Feel Like Giving Up Don't!!! $11.49, paperback, 9781626976627; $5.99, e-book, 9781626976634) is available for purchase.

In his book When You Feel Like Giving Up Don't!!!, author Jurisdictional Bishop Verdell Jones, Sr. uses biblical examples of hardship to encourage readers to persevere. This text is perfect for readers who have experienced any challenges and the author uses strongly related scriptures to connect with readers.

The author pulls from his personal testimonial to connect with the readers. His story of his triumph and success creates a strong example of how maintaining faith in one's self and faith in God produces success and blessings. Such messages are timeless and will uplift any reader to follow suit. These biblical accounts and the author's personal testimonial are designed to allow each reader to find his/her ordeal in one of them.

The introduction is personalized and effectively informs readers of the author's intent with the book. Lists in the reading contain transitions, allowing readers to anticipate breakdowns of scriptural material.

"Remember," said Jurisdictional Bishop Verdell Jones, Sr., "God's Solution Has An Appointment With Your Problem."

Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the world's largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 12,000 titles published to date. When You Feel Like Giving Up Don't!!! is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

SOURCE Xulon

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Motivational Guide and Devotional Encourages Readers to Never Give Up - Benzinga

Rio Hope-Gund, Agnes Gund and Catherine Gund on the set of Aggie. Courtesy of Aubin Pictures

Agnes Gund, now 81, has given more than 1,000 works of art to the Museum of Modern Art, but shes best known for selling one painting, Roy Lichtensteins Masterpiece, 1962, to the hedge funder Steven A. Cohen for $165 million in 2017.She took the money and devoted $100 million to found the Art for Justice Fund to address mass incarceration in the United States.

Gunds decades of collecting and philanthropy are the through-lines of the documentary Aggie, made by another Gund, her daughter Catherine, 54. The film premieres at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Friday.

SEE ALSO: Dive Into Kubricks Mind in an Exhibition About the Making of 2001: A Space Odyssey

On camera, Gund seems reserved, except when around artists or her family. She also announces from the back seat of a car crossing Manhattan that I hope that the film will not be seen by too many people.

She was notoriously camera shy, a reluctant subject, said Catherine, who brought in a string of interlocutorsfamily, artists and colleaguesand the story emerges, one encounter at a time, often in front of a huge Jasper Johns painting, Map, 1963. So do the causes that her mother has supportedarts education in public schools, AIDS advocacy, the Museum of Modern Art, prison reform.

We learn about her father, a Cleveland banker. She talks of having four children in her first marriage, and then divorcing in search of a new life. That took her to the Fogg at Harvard for a Masters Degree, then to New York, where she joined a MoMAs Painting and Sculpture Committee in 1968 and became the museums president in 1990.

Agnes Gund and artist Xaviera Simmons in Simmons studio, as seen in Aggie. Courtesy of Aubin Pictures

Agnes Gund confesses that shes felt guilty for the privilege that she was born into, which has meant that shes given away much of the art that shes bought. Guiltthats why so many of my things have gone to museums, she says on camera. Guilt is something I have not been able to get over.

She directed some of that sentiment toward MoMA on becoming its president. We had one black curator. It finally dawned on people that we had to do something about it, she said.

Collecting art by women, she said, was another challenge. Look at the Faith Ringgold problem, she says in the film, referring to American People Series #20: Die.,the large, 1967 painting of a street shoot-out by an African American woman that now hangs alongside Les Demoiselles dAvignon by Pablo Picasso. MoMA could have acquired that work long before it did, she noted, as was the case with works by other women artists that the museum now owns.

Gund also tells Thelma Golden of the Studio Museum in Harlem that shed like to curate an exhibition of womens large monumental artworks. There are so many women who are capable of doing those. I think that would be a real eye-opener.

Given Gunds generosity, theres plenty of praise in Aggie, from Darren Walker of the Ford Foundation and Michael Bloomberg to the artists Catherine Opie and Xaviera Simmons. Conspicuous in his near-absence from this serial screen hug is MoMAs director, Glenn Lowry.

The filmmaker John Waters sits down with her. Who knew that Gund helped MoMA acquire Waters 1972 bad-taste masterpiece Pink Flamingos? Gund is a good sport with Waters, another collector, when he asks if she frequented the Mudd Club or the Mineshaft. When she admits that she never took LSD, Waters says your vision did not need altering.

Agnes Gund featured in June 14, 2017 news story alongside image of Roy Lichtensteins Masterpiece, as seen in Aggie. Courtesy of Aubin Pictures

In the film, and in Gunds philanthropy, thoughts in the doc return to the sale of Lichtensteins Masterpiece. Generous, it was also a gesture, Gund said, in the hope of getting her benefactor peers to follow suit. When I did sell the painting, somebody who was quite close to me said, what the heck did you do that for? It seemed such an unusual thing, and people were not all that positive about giving that money to prisoners.

Yet donations from the sale of art did come in, to Gunds foundation and to other projects. It was always part of the planplease join me, sell artworks, said Catherine Gund.

It really does create money where there isnt money, she explained.

There are collectors who give lots of money to different issues, but there hadnt been someone before who said, Heres $100 million that didnt exist for criminal justice reform yesterday. The painting still exists in the world.

And that approach hasnt happened too soon for Agnes Gund, who now wants to raise funds to bring attention to climate change, a cause that she admits shes been late in supporting.

Would she next sell the Jasper Johns in her living room that frames many of the conversations in Aggie?

Not that picture, per se, but certainly were looking at things, but at a lesser price, she told Observer.

Aggie, still seeking a distributor,makes its New York premiere at MoMA next month, and opens at Film Forum later this year.

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Why Agnes Gund Is Encouraging Other Collectors to Sell or Donate Their Art - Observer

Nick Kyrgios has been on his best behaviour during the ATP Cup, but he admits being part of a team have once again had a positive impact on him as he finds it hard to get up when he is playing for himself.

The 24-year-old has played a starring role in Australias run to the semi-final, but the hosts came up just short against Spain on Saturday as they lost the rubber 2-1 with Kyrgios going down to Roberto Bautista Agut.

Throughout the tournament, Kyrgios has been full of enthusiasm and never came close to losing the plot.

He has always been open about the fact that he has struggled for motivation, but that has not been the case at the ATP Cup and he feels it is down to the team environment.

I dont know what it is. When Im playing for myself, I dont know, I find it hard to get up. My motivation levels are pretty low most of the time, he said.

Something about these guys and playing for them brings it out in me. I just love Im a team player.

If I would have, I probably would have had a very different (six) years of my career.

Australia team captain Lleyton Hewitt has had run-ins with Kyrgios in the past, but for now he has thrown his full support behind the Canberra native.

Thats the challenge. There are times where you have to ride the wave with him, he is quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Thats something he has to learn to deal with. Hopefully he recognises there are ways when we are talking to him at the change of ends and dealing with that, where he can take that into his individual tournaments as well and understand what he needs to do out there.

Who knows we all hope as Australians that he can put it all together. For me, though, its important to see him doing it and learning from these experiences.

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'Team player' Nick Kyrgios admits motivation lacking when he is 'playing for himself' - Tennis365

The Nationals officially announced the re-signing of reliever Daniel Hudson this morning. The pitcher that recorded the final three outs in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series to send the Nats to their first title comes back to D.C. on a two-year contract worth a reported $11 million.

Hudson was a major part of literally saving the Nats regular season and then decisively ending the final game with a swinging strikeout of the Astros Michael Brantley. He went 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA with six saves in 24 games. In the postseason, Hudson went 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA and four saves over nine games.

Hudson said during a Tuesday teleconference that he was surprised the negotiations were still in play after the Nationals signed reliever Will Harris.

Pretty much that whole week leading up to when Will signed, there was some open dialogue, Hudson said. We were trying to figure things out. They had mentioned that they had interest. I mentioned I had interest in other teams as well. We kind of had a talk that day that Will signed.

I pretty much thought that kind of closed the book on it, but they circled back the next day and said that they were still interested and wanted to try to work something out.

Hudson, 32, joins what now could be described as a vaunted trio of relievers to close out games alongside Sean Doolittle and Harris.

I kept in contact with Doo throughout the entire offseason and he asked me how things were going, kept reiterating how much he wanted me back, Hudson said. I kept saying Id love to be back as well.

And Hudson was quick to point out that the rest of the bullpen provides experience and ability, with Tanner Rainey, Wander Suero, Roenis Elas and Hunter Strickland. The team also signed minor leaguer Kyle Finnegan and has a trio of potential No. 5 starters in Joe Ross, Austin Voth and Erick Fedde who could conceivably be called upon to keep the opponent at bay later in games.

Its definitely a bonus when you have other talented players around you, Hudson said. I feel like it kind of ups your game a little bit. I feel like we have a very wide range of types of pitchers in our bullpen with Suero and Rainey as well, and obviously Doo and Will. Theres a lot of different looks coming at you. We kind of complement each other well.

Hudson indeed had other potential suitors, but he liked the opportunity that the Nats provided with a loaded squad seeking to become the first back-to-back World Series winners since the Yankees run of three titles from 1998-2000.

Recreating what we had is going to be tough, but I feel like I want to try and be a part of that, Hudson said. I made it known to my agent that Id be open to going back. Luckily, they still had the interest in me as well. I feel like the window to continue winning in D.C. is definitely still open. Id like to be a part of that still.

The $5.5 million per year will be the most Hudson has earned since his 2017 contract with the Diamondbacks. And after pitching for five different teams over the past four seasons, he appreciated the added assurance of being able to play for one team for what could now be two and a half seasons straight.

Obviously, Ive kind of bounced around a lot the last couple of years, Hudson said. Its kind of an unsettling feeling knowing, I guess, that theres always a chance you could get traded or everything could go wrong. Pretty up and down life we live. To have that security is a huge selling point for me them being willing to listen and being open to giving me two years. I know my injury history isnt on my side. For them to kind of take care of me and my family was definitely huge factor in me wanting to come back there.

But the most important thing is where is the ball he threw for a strikeout of Brantley to win Game 7 and send D.C. into a celebration to end all celebrations?

Hudson confirmed that catcher Yan Gomes still has the ball in his possession.

I dont know what he plans on doing with it, Hudson said. I told him I still want half of it at some point, maybe we could cut it in half. Negotiations are ongoing. Maybe we could get something written out where we could have joint custody over it or something. That would be nice.

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Hudson motivated to recreate 2019 run in return to Nats - MASNsports.com

FULTON, Ill. Selfies fill Josh Hills Facebook page. Like viral memes, the images are all alike: Men and women wearing Uphill Battle T-shirts or sweatshirts bend their left legs behind them.

The pose and the clothing show solidarity for the 22-year-old who no longer has a lower left leg to raise.

The change from normal young adult to amputee came quickly for Hill. And yet, it didnt. Hill had experienced pain for about a year before doctors decided he might have a serious problem.

Most of my life I was a competitive swimmer, Hill said Tuesday during a workout at KT3 Fitness in Fulton. Swimming since the age of 7, Hill competed for Clinton High School and for Western Illinois University.

In 2012, Hill learned CPR to become a lifeguard and swim instructor for YWCA in Clinton. Two months later, the 15-year-old saved his fathers life when he found the elder Hill having a heart attack in the family home, called 911 and performed CPR until emergency personnel arrived.

Hill attended college with an eye to becoming a firefighter, earning a degree in fire science from WIU. After graduation, Hill became a property storm adjuster for Farm Bureau.

Though he stopped swimming, Hill worked out regularly. Working out is basically my life, he said. So when he felt pain in his heel about a year and a half ago, his doctor assumed he had tendonitis.

In reality, a cancerous tumor was pressing on Hills Achilles tendon.

Months passed. I started getting a lot of pain in my knee, said Hill. It affected his workouts.

This time, doctors performed a biopsy and found 19 tumors. Basically the cancer had crawled all the way up my left leg, said Hill.

[Its] a really, really rare form of cancer, Hill said, affecting only about 50 people worldwide. Its a blood vessel cancer, but it was in my bone.

Hills doctor didnt have much information about the cancer and wasnt sure it would respond to chemotherapy or radiation. The doctor recommended amputating Hills leg above the knee.

Hill sought a second opinion, but the second was the same as the first. Removing the leg was the best way to make sure the cancer didnt spread.

Hill remembered tapping both feet on the ground while sitting by his dad before his surgery. His dad lamented that he would never see that again.

That was pretty tough, Hill said.

Hill wondered what life would be like without two legs. I had a bit of anxiety. He thought of all the things he wouldnt be able to do again once his leg was removed.

I had to be OK with it, Hill said.

He didnt really have a choice. It was either I risk my life, or I get rid of the cancer.

Doctors diagnosed the cancer Nov. 11. They removed Hills leg Dec. 6. Two days after leaving the hospital, Hill was back in the gym.

A month after surgery, Hill isnt complaining. Hes doing burpees and pull-ups, jumping rope and pulling his body weight on the rowing machine.

Hes even doing squats on one leg.

This is my life, Hill said. This is what I love to do, so nothing is going to stop me from what I love to do.

Hills mind is still focused on fitness. Im a trainer here. Im always looking for new clients.

Ive known Josh for a very long time, and hes always just been a positive dude, said Kyle Huebner, owner of KT3 Fitness in Fulton. His work ethic is incredible. Hes so motivated all the time to do new things.

That motivation has been very apparent since the diagnosis of Hills cancer, Huebner said. Its obviously a crazy situation. ... Hes had his times when hes been down, but 99.9% of the time [hes] positive. It really motivates people around him.

Hills quick recovery was possible because of his excellent physical health, but his emotional recovery came through the support of family and friends.

I couldnt have gotten through this without my parents, Hill said of David and Gini Hill. Theyve always made sure Ive had every opportunity in my life to be successful.

Hills girlfriend, Keelie Shuck, didnt leave the hospital the entire time Hill was there. After surgery, his KT3 friends hugged him each day he returned to the gym.

As soon as you join this gym, you gain a family, Hill said.

Losing a leg was not part of Hills life plan. It happened, and I cant do anything about it, Hill said. He can be miserable, or he can view the situation as an opportunity.

I do want to reach out and help people, Hill said. Hes launched an Instagram account, @ampu.fit, where he posts photos and videos of himself working out, adapting his workouts to fit his new body.

Its kind of fun trying to figure out how to do things, Hill said. He has to make this his new norm.

Hill hopes the way he has dealt with his situation will inspire others and help them deal with whatever adversity comes into their lives. I would love for people to reach out to me, said Hill. I love talking to people.

Hill still worries about the cancer recurring. I had a full-body bone scan, and it only showed tumors in my left leg, Hill said. Still, when he feels pain, which he does often because of intense physical activity, he wonders if the cancer is back.

In the next month, Hill expects to get a temporary prosthetic leg to toughen up his stump. A couple of months after that, he should get his permanent prosthesis.

Insurance will pay for a regular prosthesis, but Hill is far from regular. His family and friends are raising funds to purchase a prosthesis for working out and running.

Hill confessed that he never was much of a runner, [but] losing a leg makes me really, really miss running. He hopes to compete in the Paralympics.

On Saturday, KT3 hosted #UpHillBattle, a fundraiser to help purchase an athletic prosthesis for Hill. Athletes paid an entry fee to do a series of workouts and win prizes, Huebner said.

About 40 athletes and 50-60 spectators showed up, raising nearly $2,000.

Everyone was out of their comfort zone doing workouts they dont usually do, Huebner said. He and Hill were still sore Tuesday from the event.

His positivity is just contagious, Huebner said of Hill. Hes just one of the best people thats ever come into my life.

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Cancer takes trainer's leg but not drive or motivation - Clinton Herald