Click Out Cancer

I received this email from a friend today.  Someone that I went to grammar school with created this website to raise funds for cancer research.  How cool is that?  It just requires you to visit the website, it does not ask for donations.  Here is an explanation from the website:

 

Rather than asking friends for monetary donations or to buy raffles, chocolates, or wrapping paper; ClickOutCancer.com requires a simple click on the "Click Out Cancer" button below. NO monetary donation is required. Funds will be generated by Google ads, affiliate programs, and website sponsors whose ads appear throughout the website. 100% of all proceeds generated from this website will be donated at year's end to the American Cancer Society and the More Than Friends organization.

 

It's that simple.  So bookmark this page and visit it everyday!  And pass this on to everyone you know.

 

http://www.clickoutcancer.com/

 

Light the Night Brunch/Award

Yesterday, I attended a brunch to honor all who raised over $1,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. It is a really nice event, but sad also. There were a couple of people that I met last year who are no longer with us. So, it is bittersweet to say the least. It certainly reminds us all of how important it is to continue to raise funds for research.

On a happy note, and much to my surprise, I won an award. I was the 5th highest individual fund raiser in Northern NJ! I was very happy and excited. Of course, it is thanks to my family and friends who helped me and were so generous.

So now I am really looking forward to next year. This lady who I met last year actually challenged me! She said next year she will beat me and I'm thinking-bring it on lady! Now I must exceed this year's amount.

Save the date: Next year's walk is October 6th in Brookdale Park. I hope Team Jackiepie continues to grow so mark your calendars and join us!

Three month check up

Today I had my CT scan and check up.  Everything is still stable so the doctor is happy.  My blood counts are still slightly below normal, but he said that this is probably how I will always be because of the treatment that I had.  I will see him in three months as usual for a check up only.  He said that my next CT scan will be in six months instead of three months.  This is good news!  I've been feeling great and have plenty of energy.

A New Year's Wish

My Wish for All in 2007

May peace break into your hearts and may thieves come to steal your debt.  May you find love and may laughter assault your lips.  May happiness find you always and may you only cry tears of joy.  May the problems you had forget your address.  May you be healthy and strong.  And may 2007 be the best year of your life!

Happy New Year!

The Church of the Crucifix

Tonight, my cousins from Sicily were to arrive for the Christmas holiday. They missed their connecting flight in London so we won't see them until tomorrow night.:( But that is not what I am writing about tonight. I want to share an experience that I had while I was in Sicily.

We spent some time in the town that my grandparents came from, Geraci Siculo. My cousins actually own the home where my grandmother lived as a young girl. Anyway, there is a church there called the Church of the Crucifix. There is such an amazing, life-like crucifix in that church. When I became sick, my cousin Pina made a promise to Jesus in that church. She prayed that if I should recover and return to Geraci someday that she would walk barefoot through town and present flowers to the crucified Jesus. So our first day there, that is what we did. Pina walked, in socks only, praying the whole time. We kneeled before the cross while she gave thanks to Jesus for my recovery and for my being there with them. We each placed lilies in a vase on the alter. When I turned around, there was not a dry eye to be found.

Wow, what a beautiful and moving experience this was for me! The power of prayer.

My Reunion

Last night was my 20th reunion from high school. It was a lot of fun. I saw a lot of people but wish that more of my class would have shown up. But I am very glad that I went.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today, Steve brought home an article from a newspaper about cancer survivors and how it affected their outlook on life.  This study showed that most survivors feel that cancer changed their life and in most cases for the better.  Most survivors feel stronger, have a new appreciation for life, and are driven to help others with the disease.  I found it so interesting because that is how my cancer affected me.  Amazing how so much good can come from something so terrible!  My wish is that people who know my story and read my journal learn what I have learned from having this disease through my experiences.

When I was first diagnosed, my parent's doctor told them that in a year or two I would forget I ever had cancer.  That was a silly thing to say!  There is not a day that goes by when I do not think about it.   I must admit that on rare occasions it makes me sad to remember all that I have been through.  But usually it is with happiness that I remember this experience because of the new life it has given me.  And I always look back with thanks for the gift of my life and for everyone who helped me through this time.

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!