I am not sure where I should start.... As you all know, I spent several days in bed with pneumonia and a bad back and was not sure that getting on an airplane and flying to Reno was such a good idea. Now I know that not only was it a good idea, it may have been one of the smartest decisions that I have made in my life.
We spent 2 days in Reno at the American Cancer Society Great West Conference with 1,200 of our new best friends. The weekend was filled with wonderful motivational speakers, informative break-out sessions and an abundance of hugs and well wishes from everyone we met. It was an amazing site to see so many volunteers willing to spend time away from their jobs and families in order to dedicate their efforts to finding a cure for cancer.
On Friday evening Amy and I were honored to share our family's story. We told the story from our hearts and received a standing ovation from the emotional crowd. It was a lot easier to share the story when we knew everyone in the room "gets it". If given the opportunity we know they all would have had a similar touching story.
Amy and I were thrilled to meet a number of Relay for Life pioneers including the man who started it all, Dr. Gordy Klatt. He is a colorectal doctor from Tacoma, WA who had a vision and made it come true. He inspired us. He motivated us. He made us want to do EVEN MORE than we already do.
With the conference behind us it is time to begin thinking about our 2008 Relay for Life. At our break-out sessions we gained knowledge about everything from fundraising to team retention and we know the information will be very valuable as we get our relay off the ground. At the completion of the conference the ACS representatives got our fundraising efforts off to a great start by awarding Amy and I a check for $800 to put toward our team. We were honored to accept the check and want to thank them for the kind donation.
This weekend Bonnie Addario, her daughters and her very precious grand-daughter met us at the conference. They are wonderful people and I am extremely greatful that they made the trip to attend this event. Bonnie was like a second mother to us, greeting us with hugs, kisses and kind words. We are thankful that she is in our life and we will be doing our best to fund raise for her foundation between now and Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November. Check the blog for upcoming fundraising events.
As I sign off for the night I would like to challenge local blog readers to get involved in the Stanwood-Camano Relay for Life. We are still in need of volunteers who are willing to serve on our committee for 2008 and by doing so, lighten the load on the few committee members that are holding multiple committee roles. I would like to leave you with this quote that I heard this weekend at the conference...
"Very few burdens are heavy if everyone lifts"
Dreaming Big-
Angie
schmitt_12@hotmail.com
Amy and I were thrilled to meet a number of Relay for Life pioneers including the man who started it all, Dr. Gordy Klatt. He is a colorectal doctor from Tacoma, WA who had a vision and made it come true. He inspired us. He motivated us. He made us want to do EVEN MORE than we already do.
With the conference behind us it is time to begin thinking about our 2008 Relay for Life. At our break-out sessions we gained knowledge about everything from fundraising to team retention and we know the information will be very valuable as we get our relay off the ground. At the completion of the conference the ACS representatives got our fundraising efforts off to a great start by awarding Amy and I a check for $800 to put toward our team. We were honored to accept the check and want to thank them for the kind donation.
This weekend Bonnie Addario, her daughters and her very precious grand-daughter met us at the conference. They are wonderful people and I am extremely greatful that they made the trip to attend this event. Bonnie was like a second mother to us, greeting us with hugs, kisses and kind words. We are thankful that she is in our life and we will be doing our best to fund raise for her foundation between now and Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November. Check the blog for upcoming fundraising events.
As I sign off for the night I would like to challenge local blog readers to get involved in the Stanwood-Camano Relay for Life. We are still in need of volunteers who are willing to serve on our committee for 2008 and by doing so, lighten the load on the few committee members that are holding multiple committee roles. I would like to leave you with this quote that I heard this weekend at the conference...
"Very few burdens are heavy if everyone lifts"
Dreaming Big-
Angie
schmitt_12@hotmail.com
6 comments:
Dear Angie & Amy~
WAY TO GO!! You have always made your parents very proud.... and naturally, they are even MORE PROUD, as they watch you make such a wonderful impact, sharing your story of LOVE & FAMILY!! And as far as lifting burdens, you have inspired our little community and WAY BEYOND! Keep up the incredible work - and sharing. It helps ALL of us!
Love (and thanks) to all of you!
You both did AWESOME!!! So moved by you and the story of your family. Great quote from the weekend ... my favorite is: "It's not about the money, it's what the money can do!"
Heather Rike
Event Chair
Oregon City, OR
Amy & Angie -- I had the HONOR of hearing you both tell your reasons to Relay this past weekend! THANK YOU, THANK YOU , THANK YOU!!! You & your entire family are an inspiration!!!
~ Kathy Cina
Hillsboro, OR
Portland/Vancouver RFL Council Member
Your family spreads so much love throughout the Stanwood community, and so much beyond that. Thank you for all the love you share. Oh yeah, Go Cougs from a now "Hugar" family!!!
Doreen and Rick, I was honored to meet your two wonderful daughters at the ACS Summit in Reno - and wanted to tell you (as if you don't know) what respectful, pleasant, caring, motivated, beautiful young ladies you have raised. I am saying prayers every day for your family while you continue your fight. One day at a time ~
Cheryl Jones
Community Relationship Manager
American Cancer Society
Portland, OR
Dear Angie and Amy,
I was truly blessed to hear you speak at the summit! I also have parents that were hit with the word cancer with in 48 hours of each other. I'm so glad you are fighting back and spreading the word about cancer and how we work together to find a cause!
Take care and keep on Relaying!
Monica Names
Tacoma WA
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