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Archive for the ‘Fundraising’ Category

Helping Hands – and Tissues

Posted in Boston, Cancer, Decisions, family, Fundraising, Home, prayer, work, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 21, 2013| 1 Comment »

We live in a genuinely good world. People want to help each other. They care. I truly believe this. What, you don’t agree? Just look around!

I’ve spent the last hour watching the stories of Oklahoma. The caring, courage and strength shown by everyone from those teachers who did all they could to protect the students huddled with them in the bathrooms to the strangers rushing to the sites just to help anyone they could is awe-inspiring. Then The Voice opened with a somber message for Oklahoma, followed by a special tribute performance by Blake Shelton (who is from Oklahoma) and Miranda Lambert, with the words “To help disaster victims, please donate at redcross.org or call 1-800 HELP NOW” across the bottom of the screen.

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I have loved ones in Oklahoma, family and friends I immediately worried about as soon as I heard what was happening, so I posted a message on Facebook. Now the site is flooded with pictures, status updates and prayers for all those in Oklahoma – and I know many of those who posted don’t personally know a soul in the state of Oklahoma. But they care.

On my way home tonight I got a call from my oldest Goddaughter. She was bursting with excitement over her day. She is a sophomore in high school and is involved with Best Buddies, a program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They participated in the Special Olympics today and, as if that wasn’t excitement enough, the Franklin Police Department gave them a formal escort back to the school (“Just like celebrities!” she gushed) and then practically the entire school was outside to welcome them back and congratulate the Best Buddies. That’s just nice.

And people don’t just support each other verbally – they open their wallets, too. More than $30 million has been raised so far for One Fund Boston, to help the families of those killed and most seriously injured in the bombings at the Boston Marathon, barely a month ago. $30 million. That’s amazing.

But money can’t buy everything. Dana-Farber recently interviewed me for one of their publications. (This is the blog written based on the full article.) They wanted to know why I agreed to donate tissue. For me, it was a no brainer. Why in the world would I say no? Working for Genzyme, I know the importance of research and clinical trials. I was going to be in surgery anyway, so why not let them take a little more, so hopefully it will lead to improved treatments or even a cure. It won’t hurt me and could help others. Take extra tissue, extra blood, whatever can help!

None of this is unusual. This is every day life. People are genuinely good. They want to help. Don’t let the bad overshadow the good. See the sun through the clouds. Be the change you want to see in the world – lead the way and lend a helping hand (or tissue) when you can. You never know whose life it could someday save: yours, your son’s or your future grandchild’s …

 

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Missed Spring

Posted in Boston, Cancer, chemotherapy, Discovery, Fundraising, hair, lymphedema, prayer, recovery, work, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Friday night I attended the Birds and All That Jazz fundraiser at Tara’s Mass Audubon Sanctuary, Oak Knoll, in Attleboro. It was a relaxing evening of music and mingling (and food and wine), all in the name of charity. (What girl doesn’t love a reason to get dressed up – especially when there’s wine and chocolate involved? See pictures below. ) And luckily, it was a beautiful night, with a warm breeze and what I now know were tree frogs (not birds, as I originally thought), providing a natural soundtrack to the event. I was talking with a few people who commented how much of a better turnout the event had this year, when it occurred to me that I didn’t attend in 2012. I looked quizzically at Kevin and asked “Why wasn’t I here last year?” and he gave me one of those knowing, smiling, “Duh, Amy” looks. Oh yea. Because I got cancer. I looked at the woman next to me, shook my head and simply said “It doesn’t matter. But I certainly would’ve rather been here.”

I missed last spring. Completely. I really don’t remember it. In my mind, it jumped from cold February to warm July. My spring was finding the lump, diagnosis, breast cancer 101, Dana-Farber, surgery at Brigham and Women’s, the start of treatment and my grandfather passing away. It was a gut-wrenching, often medicated, blur.

It makes this spring that much more special. I have always loved spring – it’s the time when things come alive and can begin again. And I am so ready to begin again! I had my first official check-up at Dana-Farber with my oncologist and all seems well. It’s a little anticlimactic, as they don’t really do any tests – it’s just making sure you’re not having any symptoms, and if not, assuming all is fine. (Yes, a big leap of faith – something where you really just need to take deep breaths, remain calm and positive, and pray.)

And all is basically fine. I am having a flair-up of lymphedema, and will call to make an appointment with my physical therapist, but in the meantime have been doing the exercises and wearing the glove and sleeve (even though I can’t stand them) most of the time. Otherwise, all seems ok. The side effects of the Tamoxifin have subsided – not many hot flashes any more – and while the chemo side effects of tingling in my hands and feet continue, I’m now trying a B-complex vitamin to see if it will help. And of course I’m tired – but I can hardly blame the cancer or treatment on that, at least not completely. Nothing is limiting my work or other activities and I am very thankful for that!

My hair is growing, and normal life is resuming. I know that I am blessed. And I am going to cherish this spring and take advantage of beginning again…462395_500062926715477_494659541_o 302907_10201073312822099_616309187_n girls birds

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Crazy for a Cause

Posted in Boston, Cancer, chemotherapy, connections, Fundraising, recovery, work, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on April 29, 2013| Leave a Comment »

“I have to say you are the most active person I’ve ever met. You are exhausting just to follow on facebook.” Seeing that post from my cousin’s husband on my facebook wall when I woke up this morning completely cracked me up. “Ha ha ha – yes, I exhaust myself much of the time, too…” And this weekend was really a prime example of it:

  • Friday night’s fundraiser for One Fund Boston was AWESOME! We raised $3,175 for the One Fund – and Genzyme will add to that through our GIVE program. Not bad for just starting on Tuesday with Andrew IMing me saying “So do you think Friday’s too soon for a fundraiser?” So glad we did it! Thank you to everyone who helped, Nick for helping Andrew and me at the door, everyone who joined us, bought raffle tickets, donated raffle items – and Towne for donating the space and delicious appetizers. Such a wonderful venue! If you haven’t been, you need to check it out. Great people as well as fab food.

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  • Several of us went from Towne to Legal’s for a late dinner – and then I had a presentation to finish for work so there wasn’t much sleep before…
  • I had to be up early to attend Dana-Farber’s Second Annual Summit on Fundraising at the Copley Marriott. The initial panel with Dana-Farber doctors and staff was surprisingly difficult. Hearing the facts and statistics about cancer – even the positive ones on the progress being made – just really hit home. As Lisa Scherber, the Director of Patient and Family Programs, spoke about helping girls with cancer see that they are still beautiful, tears welled in my eyes. “Not sure I’m strong enough to be here,” I texted Tara. But I took some deep breaths, dabbed my eyes and tried to focus on WHY I was there – to get new fundraising ideas to help make a difference in people’s lives who really need it.  So I attended three other sessions: Fundraising 101; Social Media and Online Resources; and How to Secure a Sponsorship. I learned at least one new thing in each session, and they inspired other ideas that are now swirling around in my head. I texted Heather about our Jimmy Fund Marathon Walk Team and we are both so excited to kick it off – more info coming soon!!! (And please let me know if you want to join our team – Sept. 8, the Boston Marathon route, Hopkinton to Copley, although you can walk shorter 10, 5 or 3 mile routes.) One of the highlights of the day was running into a woman I met at the Young Adult Cancer Conference a few weeks ago. She lives nearby and we’re going to meet up soon. Of course the way we ran into each other – as we were evacuating Copley due to fire alarms – wasn’t fun, but at least they let us back in the building, told us it was a false alarm with the sprinklers, and were able to continue the seminar…
  • And then I had to run home and get ready for the Passport to Belonging event at the West End House Boys and Girls Club in Allston. Genzyme was a major sponsor of the event, so I was part of the event planning committee and have really been looking forward to the evening for months. I was joined at the dinner by several colleagues and friends, many for whom it was their first visit to the West End House. All were impressed with the facility, which is such an incredible place for kids of all ages in the community. I was relieved I got there in time to still purchase some of the things they made in the art studio and the kitchen, but next year I’m going earlier to make sure I get to see everything! At least we were there for the full program: Peter Gammons, the award-winning sportswriter, was there as he is the mentor of one of the students who was honored, and he interviewed both students on stage, really letting them tell their stories in such a great format; then there was a fun live ask and auction (I want to host an auction just so I can hire that auctioneer – she was a hoot!); and then we danced the night away to the Anthony Steele Band. No one could match Vanessa’s moves, but we all had fun trying! 528410_10201006189144049_738326541_n
  • Today it was hard to wake up – but I did, as I got to have lunch with Tina and my three beautiful Goddaughters. It’s only been a little while since I last saw them, yet somehow they grew so much!!! After lunch Allegra and I went shopping for her shoes and accessories for her upcoming Best Buddies prom. We had a great time, and now she’s all set! Can’t wait to see the pictures…

So yes, I may be crazy busy much of the time – and yes, I will try to get more sleep, Dad – but at least I’m crazy for a cause. Several of them, actually… so it’s more than worth it! Just wish there were a few more hours in each day, or another day in the week…

 

 

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