Day Twenty-eight of...Day 98

You've gotta swim, swim for your life

Swim for the music that saves you 

When you're not so sure you'll survive

You gotta swim and swim when it hurts

The whole world is watching

You haven't come this far to fall off the earth

Those are the first two stanzas of one of my favorite songs "Swim" by my favorite artist Jack's Mannequin.  My daughter actually introduced me to him about three years ago and received his latest CD last year.  I listen to those lyrics and it just about moves you to tears.  We have all been there when we thought we just can't go any further and you listen to this song and you say to yourself Swim.  That has become my Motto.  

I share this with you because Andrew McMahon the (singer and songwriter of Jack's Mannequin) is a survivor.  He was diagnosed with Leukemia which became life changing for him.  He did decide to document that journey and open everyone's eyes to what one goes through and through his amazing talents shared so many of his thoughts through song.  His web site is http://www.jacksmannequin.com/dear-jack

This does have a happy ending because he is a survivor and now with this fund-raising campaign that's the mission and goal is to make sure all our talented artists starting with the youngest with crayons if ever faced with this devastating disease are survivors living life to the fullest and we help them Swim.  

Day Twenty-seven of... 98 Days

I have an interesting story to share with you about how two people who never met found a connection at the exact same time in their desire to make a difference in the lives of those affected by blood cancer.

I have written about our honoree Tressa and why I have been compelled to raise money to fund research and find a cure for Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma.  I shared how I never had the pleasure of meeting Tressa but I have been given the gift to know her through her wonderful family who I have grown to love. It is Tressa's younger cousin that is the man marrying my daughter this summer.

Like my daughter, Tressa too was very much in love at age 21 before Leukemia took her life so abruptly.  That was in 2004.

A couple of days ago Tressa's aunt my soon to be in-law sent a link.  I was so amazed and heart-warmed at what I found upon clicking on that link http://gardeningontherun.tumblr.com; a woman who committed herself to do a Team In Training for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society raising money for the cure and her honoree -Tressa.  And more amazing still, she like me never met Tressa.  It's Tressa's tragic story that touched her in a way she never thought possible as it did me.  And her connection - the very same guy (now her boyfriend) who was Tressa's first love and who was by Tressa's side four years ago when she passed away.

And now we are two women committed to raising as much money as possible in honor of a young lady neither of us ever met. She changed our lives and fixed our determination to assure that this never happens again when someone so precious and dear to loved ones is lost.  Maybe we can right the wrong for others.

Without her knowing it Tressa has touched so many lives and her memory lives on.

Day Twenty-six of...98 Days

Have you ever watched paint dry or water boil?  Are you getting the picture?  It seems to take forever when you are waiting for something very important to happen.

My vigil started at 2am last night when I woke up and wondered has the iTunes accepted our Light The App yet?  Then I looked again when I woke up and again and again and repeatedly throughout the day.  Right after I finished one task I would login to check yet again.

You might call that obsessive you might call that crazy but the suspense is unbelievable.  It's not anyone's fault. I mean Apple stepped up and the turn around time for an app to make it into the store went from two weeks to a couple of days.

I can at least say my impatience is for good reason I want to start as soon as we can raising money to fund research for a cure.  Light The App is one avenue that could be a conduit for fund-raising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for years to come.  And when you think of it in terms of patience for patients there is none because time is not on the side of this disease devastating.  Every 10 minutes sadly we lose someone to blood cancers as we did our honoree Tressa and that is not acceptable.

So maybe tomorrow will be the day Light The App goes live and one fund-raising avenue can commence I just hope I can be just a little more patient.

Day Twenty-five of...98 Days

The snow is falling and just wreaking havoc on so many places. Some cities are getting a mere dusting while other cities at a standstill with blizzard conditions.  Airlines cancelling flights, people stranded and it's interesting to see how different people are handling it. Many are going to the stores stocking up as though they will never leave the house for a while.  Then there are those fearless ones playing in the snow building snowmen or putting on the skis and heading out soaking it all up.

But it's that initial shock of how is this going to disrupt the routine the life what a pain.  It's winter after all and snow is inevitable and yes somewhat of an inconvenience. It is just snow and it will melt and Spring will be here before you know it and the grass will be green again and the flowers blooming.

I wish it was all that easy for those who received the initial news when someone you love just heard they have  leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if it all could melt away and the sun would be shining and they could live their life again as normal like it was a just a storm or blizzard that blew in and then it was gone.

That is what we are working towards with this campaign to raise money and fund research to find a cure.  If we are successful in these fund-raising efforts with the progress that is being made with research that is the goal...the diagnosis comes in like the winter weather disrupts life a little and with therapy and a cure melts it away and that loved one is on to greener pastures living their life to its fullest.

Day Twenty-four of...98 Days

Today was an extremely moving day a lot of emotions running high. It was the first day we actually downloaded our Light The App on the iPhone and were able to use it.  All of the fruits of our labor were now in the palm of our hand.  Up until now it was on a simulator and before we were going to submit it to the iTunes store we wanted to download it from our developers account and basically go through the steps of thoroughly testing it.  Basically we were mimicking the actions of what users would do to see if we could find any flaws in the system that needed to be corrected.

On the simulator and throughout the day we put in test names fake names and two word dedications or what we call "greek" text to make sure it operated and functioned as it needed to.  Tested it backwards forwards and doing anything we could to determine if it was going to live up to a user's expectation.  We made some tweaks and then we tested some more.

Then it was time to get a few real dedications from people so there would be dedications in the app that people could view.  So when I received the dedications I realized what a powerful app we just developed one that touches the very heart and soul.  In fact as Tom and I were writing our dedication to Tressa both Tom and I got so emotional.  I realized there is no right or wrong way to make a dedication to those battling, those in remission or other loved ones who lost their life to blood cancer.  It's just like a gentle kiss in the wind as you write your heart felt sentiment and light the candle to the one you love and support and remember.

  

Day Twenty-three of...98 Days

You have seen her every time you open this blog seeing the beautiful smile of our honoree Tressa.  

I wanted to share with you another glimpse inside of just how remarkable and wonderful our honoree Tressa was always thinking of others even during her most difficult times.  This one poignant example gives you an idea:  When she started losing her hair after chemo she asked the nurse just to shave it off so she didn't have to watch it fall out and she could donate it.  Tressa had a friend take her hair to a salon and donate it for her.  A couple of days later a lady called to thank Tressa because her hair had been used to make a wig for that lady's eight year old daughter who also had cancer.

What a shining example she is to us all...in a dark very difficult time she wanted to do for others and make a difference and she did.  She was selfless and understood what it meant to Pay it Forward and how in the end the tragic time of losing hair was turned into a positive and made her feel absolutely amazing.  

And now it is our turn to do that in her memory for others...Pay it Foward and allow any day to become that much brighter.

Day Twenty-two of...98 Days

It's Super Sunday - the day(s) to win the big one.

The experts agree and are unanimous in their evaluation; in order to win the big game today or any day for that matter there are specific conditions that must be met. The following list, although not exhaustive, does a fair job at listing many of the important factors.

The Cause:
The members of the winning team (The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) applies themselves because they so wholeheartedly believe in the plan and their cause.

Research:
It requires exhaustive research to find the competition's (blood cancer's) weaknesses and exploit them to win (find a cure).

Planning:
Like any huge contest or battle, the winning team (Researchers) is characterized by their level of planning and preparation.

Execution:
With the research completed and the plan developed, next step is the crucial one of flawless execution. Perfect timing, ideal team makeup, efficient delivery, are all characteristics of perfect execution (to find the cure).

Fan Support:
What would this big game (to find a cure), this classic,timeless stuggle be without a loyal and committed fan base (fund-raisers)? It is vital that this loud and rowdy support network exists to move the team on to greatness and victory (to find the cure).

Expand the Base:
If we agree that the fan base (fund-raisers) is so important to the team, then the logical next step in for current fans to constantly work to spread the word and bring new members on line. After all, if you are passionate about the cause you will want to do everything to win (to find the cure for blood cancers).

Passion:
A natural outgrowth of belief in the team, the cause, the enduring struggle to win.

Teamwork:
Because the cause is important,it is a big one and to achieve victory against an equally committed foe (blood cancer) means fans have to rely on the strength that comes with numbers and teamwork - a lot of teamwork (and fund-raising). Each team member doing his or her best to promote the cause and use his or her talents to bring home a win.

Commitment:
To win the big one (to find the cure) each team member must be fully committed to doing what he or she is capable of doing each day to continue putting the pieces in place (fund-raising) that will eventually become the foundation (funding research) upon which glorious victory is built.

Coaching:
Experts (LLS) in charge of the game plan is so vital to conducting a winning campaign.

Big Money:
In this timeless struggle, this battle for the ages, this impending glorious victory - nothing comes without alot of blood, sweat, and tears - and money. Victory against a stubborn and skilled opponent (like blood cancer) like we face is difficult and it takes money to put the pros on the field of play.

Yes, it takes all of the above to win the big one against our current challenger (blood cancers). And you know, coincidently, it is crucial to have all of the above factors in place for the winner of the Super Bowl too.