Last night a good friend from college and her husband invited me to attend the Irish Eyes are Smiling Gala in New York City (above is a photo of the two of us at the event). The event is a celebration of the Kelly Cares Foundation and the major donors and people who exemplify the foundations principals of Health, Community and Education. The foundation was founded by Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly and his wife Paqui Kelly.
Paqui Kelly is one of my new heroes. She is a two time breast cancer survivor and through her battles she found that her overwhelming gratitude for the amount of support and the level of health care she received inspired her to create the foundation to help those who were not so fortunate. The foundation supports causes that support Health Initiatives, Community Development and Educational and Educational Institutions and Programs. These initiatives included the Paqui and Brian Kelly Comprehensive Breast Center in the Saint Joseph Health System in Indiana. I was fortunate enough last night, to be able to meet Paqui. My friends let her know that I was a survivor, and we do what survivors do. She asked "How long?" I replied "3 years". She smiled and said "8 years". And then she said something to me that was so poignant and really resonates with me this month as I battle the FOR. She said to me "Keep checking those days off, one day at a time". And that is what March has been about as I approach "Scan Day". Checking off one day at a time.
My other new heroes who I didn't get to meet, but were introduced to their story was the Enright family. The Enright family started the KeiraSTRONG foundation to help families of children undergoing treatment for cancer and life threatening illness. Another example of people so grateful for the support that they received during Keira's treatment for Leukemia (she was diagnosed at age 7, she is now 12 and in remission) that they created a foundation to help pay it forward.
The entire event left everyone inspired to be able to pay it forward. It also ended with a intimate performance by Jon Bon Jovi. Folks, I was 15 ft away from the man. I was freaking out a little bit (nope, that's a lie. I was freaking out a lot and singing along probably very annoyingly to all those surrounding). It was a great way to cap the night.
So, as I continue to check of days of survivorship I will drink out off my new set of glasses every morning and think about how I can pay forward the amount of support and good fortune I have had. (And will continue to rock out to Bon Jovi while I bake). I have so many things to put in my gratitude journal, thank you friends.
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