Oh, what a night!!!

Me, Mike Barbre, Brian Bell and Dave Blank (Photo courtesy of Steve Shay)

The sad fact is that most people never have a party thrown for them - where people from near and far - every corner of your life - come together to celebrate your life...that is until you die.  I've always thought it was sad that the things people said at a memorial service and stories shared - weren't shared while the person was still alive, when they could enjoy it.  Last night, I was given one of the best gifts I could ever receive - a night full love, encouragement, strength and friendship.  Yes, it was a fundraiser to help pay my medical expenses...but beyond the money, it was something beyond words...but I will try...

Imagine bringing the coolest people you know...the ones that you have known since kindergarten, the ones you went on a exchange program to Germany with in highschool, your Godparents who are family in every sense of the word, the bartender from the neighborhood bar, the ex boyfriend, the friend who just had a mastectomy last month, my 3 Day Walk team mates, old co-workers, acquaintances...and a few people I had never met.  Throw them under one roof, take a deep breath and see what happens.  What happened was glorious.  This is what I would love to believe the world should be like EVERY day.  Kindness, laughter, hugs, joy, respect, admiration, encouragement.

Thank you to all who attended and gave me a night I will remember for the rest of my life, however long that might be.  The gift of being loved by so many people, having them tell me words of encouragement, the hugs (the real ones, where you don't let go for a couple seconds) - will be something that will keep me going through the rest of my treatment, and keep me on the fast track to being well again.  As I told the crowd last night, "Thank you for fighting for a friend, thank you for making a statement by coming out in numbers tonight - and telling cancer you're not willing to give up another friend."  I mean that from the bottom of my heart!

Well done friends!  You AMAZE me with your generosity.
Special Thanks to Lisa Dawson, Nancy McManus, Mike Barbre, Brian Bell, Imelda Dulcich, Sydni Smith, Helen Johnson, Tom Hutyler, Rita Dixson and Trevor Garand (Owners of the Bridge).
Thank you to all the donors for your generous contributions to the raffle.

Click HERE to read coverage and see photos from the West Seattle Herald.