As Larry Stewart tells it, the story begins 26 years ago, when a week before Christmas he was fired from his job. It was the second year in a row he had been fired from a job the week before Christmas. As he sat in his car at a drive-in restaurant commiserating his untimely employment fate, he noticed the car hop was not wearing a warm coat as she worked in the elements of winter cold for nickels and dimes in tips. Although his recent unemployment status made his financial security uncertain, he decided to pay for his meal with a $20 dollar bill and told her to keep the change.

What happened next changed his life and the lives of countless others who would come to benefit from the generosity of a stranger. The car hop began to cry. She told Stewart he had no idea how much the extra money would help. Touched by her reaction, he went to the bank, withdrew $200 dollars, and then drove around looking for people who might need a few extra dollars.

Over the last 26 years, the cable television and long-distance telephone service businessman, who went on to earn millions after his rocky start in the working world, has given away over a million dollars. Anonymously. Stewart never wanted anyone to know his name or the name of his company. Until now.

Stewart has been diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus that has spread to his liver. He thinks it is time to reveal the mysterious identity of the Secret Santa many in Missouri and elsewhere have wondered about for the last 26 years. Why? By speaking publicly about giving, he is hoping to inspire others to give. According to Stewart, "that's what we are here for -- to help other people out."

The Chronic Survival Tour: Shedding Light on Lung Cancer features the world-renowned fantasy art of Tom Cross, his battle with lung cancer, education about lung cancer and as a benefit to raise money for advocacy groups such as the Lung Cancer Online Foundation. The nationwide traveling exhibit of original art, prints and books featuring fairies, wizards, elves and mermaids created by Cross, is a way to share his lung cancer survivorship and to shed light on the misinformation about lung cancer that dominates common perception for one of the deadliest cancers.

Diagnosed in 2003, Cross is not a smoker but feels the stigma associated with being a lung cancer patient when people hold the opinion that lung cancer is a self-inflicted disease -- a karma of bad habit. Cross hopes his art and his touring exhibit can change the minds of the community.

Cross states, "It is my hope that through my art, participation in lung cancer awareness organizations and activities, and events such as this, that some small difference may be made to bring hope and someday a cure to this and all cancer afflictions." Cross is an artist, author, ecologist and designer. His work is exquisite. You can purchase his art online at The Wondrous Worlds of Tom Cross.