Burnt Out But Still Volunteering

Wow. I've been really absent from this whole blogging thing. I'm going to try and get better at that.

Relay for Life season has begun. And I did something crazy this year. I actually volunteered myself to be the Survivor Event Chair. What was I thinking?! Oh right, I didn't want Michele (our event chair) to have to do everything. We're all burnt out from doing this for so long but a few of us have stepped up to keep it going. I swear, if we didn't, our Relay this year probably wouldn't exist. Leo and Carole have been the event chairs the last few years and when they stepped down, no one wanted to take it on - they were that awesome; big shoes to fill. But Michele stepped up to the plate. Go gurl!!

So this year's theme is Wish Upon A Cure. If you can't tell, it's a Disney theme. This opens up the campsite options really wide. My team has decided on turning our campsite into Andy's Toy box (from Toy Story). It's actually a neat idea. We can build a border around our site to look like a toy box and then fill it with all things Disney. Everything we love about Disney, etc. And on the bottom of our shoes, we will have a piece of tape that says Andy on it, kinda like in the movie. Not sure if everyone wants to dress up as characters, but I won't stop them. I love costumes anyways!

So this Survivor Chair position - I've been trying to figure out what it means for Relay other than planning a survivor event before Relay weekend and manning the survivor tent on the actual event. Apparently I need to plan the opening ceremonies for survivors and make a speech. Awesome. I hate public speaking. Michele hates it worse than me and she now wants me to be the speaker for the whole event. Ha! We'll see about that. Though I guess it's not the worst thing in the world.
Michele doesn't want to do butterflies or doves this year. We started brainstorming ideas and I suggested bubbles. Giant bubble machines to fill the stage and engulf the survivors. In my head it looks really awesome. Kinda like this:

But I fear it might turn out like this:

We'd need bubble machines, not foam ones. That, I feel, would get everyone wet, and I'm pretty sure the survivors wouldn't like that. Especially if it's not hot outside. So the search begins...

Off to the gym

I got my new Sweaty Band in the mail today! And just in time before I left for the gym. I love that it has little alligators on it!

Off to work on my strength training. Getting stronger and my endurance is getting longer. Relay is gonna be a piece of cake!

Relay Soiree Success

This past Sunday, our Relay for Life community put together a free event for cancer survivors and caretakers. It was amazing. I meant to write about this on Monday, but a little life got in the way. It actually was good though that I waited because I have a couple pictures I can show you! :)

Since our Relay theme this year is International, our Survivor Soiree was too. Imagine a room full of finger foods, desserts, a photo booth with props, international dancers, and music, all to celebrate the lives of cancer survivors and the people who cared for them in their time of need. Those of us on the committee got donations from various restaurants for finger foods or we made something ourselves. There definitely wasn't a lack of food, though some types of food ran out faster than others.
 So what did I do? I helped check people in as they arrived. Then I was able to enjoy the night. My mom (who helped plan the event) woke up with a fever that morning so she unfortunately couldn't make it. I felt so bad. My dad took her place though. He played "customs officer" and made sure everyone had a name tags (meaning that they checked in to their respective tables - survivor or caretaker).
I believe that everyone who attended had an amazing time. The raffle prizes were donated by a lot of our committee members. Last year, my mom won 3 of the raffle prizes and I won one. Unfortunately for me, I just wasn't a winner, but my dad won the raffle prize themed from Germany. He was very happy. My friend, Jessica and her daughter, Julia, made out like bandits. They won 3 baskets, and 2 of them were Dr. Seuss themed. Needless to say, Julia was beyond ecstatic. Jessica told me that before Julia won, she said, "Mama, I feel lucky today." She's just too darn cute!

I'm so blessed to be a part of this organization even in the smallest way. It's events like this that can truly put a smile on a face. I know it did for mine.

Our photo booth pictures - lots of fun!

Me and Ronnie, our resident photographer

Where in the world are you from? Place your pin. :)

Philippine dancers

Philippine dancers

Leo, some Polish dancers, and Carole

Julia helping pick the raffle ticket winners

Cancer Survivors

The German basket my dad won

Julia's hiding behind her new Cat in the Hat

Mother/Daughter Day

That's exactly what today was; mother/daughter day. It started as early as 8:30am and ended around 4:30ish. I was originally just expecting to spend a couple hours with her since she signed us up to take this "Make your own Haggadah" class. But then the class ran late so there was no time to take me home before her next event - brunch with her BCO (breast cancer.org) friends. They meet once a month and celebrate their lives and help each other through tough times when needed. Before I even got there, I felt like I would be intruding on their special time, but I was warmly greeting with smiles and hugs. These ladies are a riot! It was a lot of fun chatting with them. They are all older (50+) and have such amazing spirits. One woman has been a survivor for 15 years! My mom is one of the babies. She's on her 4th year of survival. So proud of her and I'm so happy that she found some amazing ladies to relate to and keep her thriving.

For those of you that don't know, my mom is in her late 60s and LOVES technology. And I mean LOVE. When something new comes out, she wants it and usually gets it. Of course, she doesn't get it right away and saves up for it. But she'll get it. Last night I was given her old iPad since she got the iPad mini. And before that, she gave me her 1st Kindle after she got a new one. I'm not complaining. I love technology but my mom is like a technology whore. And she knows it. We laugh about it. It's one of the many things I love about my mom. I love that she can laugh at herself and the silly things she does. A good sense of humor goes a long way.

All in all, we didn't go out and do a lot, but the quality time we spent together meant a lot.

What do you do with your mom?

Mom and me (3 months) in West Orange, NJ

New Year's Resolutions

1st New Year's resolution: update blog more often. (we'll see how long I can keep this up)
2nd New Year's resolution: actually exercise and shed these 30+ pounds my meds made me gain.  (I have friends to go to the gym with, so it might actually happen)

I'm back into the +American Cancer Society's Relay for Life mode. The new season has begun. Thus kicks into gear my exercise regime to ready myself for 24 hours of awesomeness! And you all get to be a part of it here.  My team (all 8 of us) did amazing last year and I'm sure we'll keep up our awesomeness again this year. I'm not so thrilled with the theme this year; Passport to Relay.  Each team chooses a country to represent somehow and on the day of the event, people will get a passport of some kind to go around and get stamps to visit said countries. I think it'll be a challenge, but I'll find some way to make it work. I heard that another team has already chosen Israel, which is the country my mom will want. If not Israel, I vote for Belgium. I like their waffles. :) I'll see if the team is on board.

I got roped into being on the committee this year. I don't know how that happened. I've been asked to be the Team Captain mentor. I know that they want me to take over Leo's position as the TC Coordinator, but it's not my thing right now. Though I'm happy to help in this way. So I'll mentor the team captains and share my secrets to being awesome. :) As much as I may complain about it, I actually enjoy the company of all the people in the committee. They have become my extended family. So here's to good times ahead!

And on that note, I leave you with the silliness that ensued after dinner tonight.

A Message For Jennie

I know I've been a little lax on my updates and I need to catch you up on the outcome of Relay, but today I want to spread a little love to my friend, Jennie Grimes. She was feeling a little down today and I thought this post would lift her spirits a little. Her mets (metastatic cancer) friends are losing their battle one by one and it's taken its toll on her. I just wanted to let Jennie know how much she's loved.

My dearest Jennie,

You are an amazing woman. I'm not sure you realize how much you mean to everyone, especially to me. You make me want to fight harder for things; to not let my own disease dictate my life. I want to live life to its fullest; to not worry so much about what will happen, but what can I do right now and make this day amazing. 

My butterfly fundraiser to fight this horrid disease was a success. Your butterflies are here in San Diego. You are flying endlessly with them. This video is for you. 

With all my heart,

Deb

First Place Feels Good

On Sunday, my mom and I went to an event for our Relay called A Survivor Soiree. This was a free event honoring survivors and their caretakers. My dad didn't want to go. He felt it was too much of a female thing and didn't want to bother getting dressed up. I, on the other hand, always look for an excuse to wear a pretty dress. My NYE dress needed another opportunity to be worn. :)
They had a fashion show (Project Relay) and all the models were either cancer survivors, caretakers, or relay participants. It was really sweet. The dresses and suits they wore were amazing.
There were also dancers from a local ballroom dancing school. They called it Dancing with the Survivors. After the professionals did their show, all the survivors in the room congregated on the dance floor and the rest of us were able to dance with them. My mom LOVES to dance and danced with one of the professionals. It was so cute to see her out there twirling in her dress.
The event also had a silent raffle. My mom scored. She won 2 of the prizes. She went home super happy.
This was the 3rd year our relay committee put this on. It was so amazing and inspiring, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what they come up with next year.

My lovely mom and I at the soiree

 Relay is 31 days away. I can't believe how fast the calendar is moving. Time is seriously flying.

My team has had 2 successful fundraisers, raising a total of $58.67. Though it doesn't seem like a lot, for fundraisers at eateries, it's actually not too bad. Besides, every little bit helps; even the 67 cents.

I had a Team Captain meeting tonight. It turns out that I am the top individual fundraiser ($857) and our team is in 2nd place ($1919). How exciting is that?! I feel truly blessed to have such an amazing and supportive group of friends. Thank you all!! I've almost reached my goal. Let's keep it up!

If you haven't donated and would like to in honor or memory of your loved one, I would greatly appreciate your support. Head over to my fundraising page and donate what you can. Every little bit helps!

Butterflies for Jennie

Last year we had one of the most interesting and amazing fundraisers for Relay. Butterflies. Yes, I said butterflies. Our event teamed up with a butterfly farm where we purchased butterflies to be released during opening ceremonies instead of the usual white doves. It was a great idea. Granted the weather was overcast and chilly, so it didn't go off as hoped, but that was okay. They butterflies just hung around a while before they warmed up enough to take flight. It was beautiful.

My friend, Jennie, is an amazing person. Having been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, at such a young age, she lives life to its fullest. I am astounded daily by her strength and courage to take on each day at full strength even when she is at her weakest most vulnerable state.
I purchased a butterfly for her last year.

It was truly a wondrous experience to open an envelope and have a butterfly emerge from it. A Painted Lady. A beautiful creature, just like my friend.

And I plan to repeat this. Again and again.

This year, my hope is to get the support of all my friends who know Jennie (even those who don't) and get a kaleidoscope of butterflies to release in her honor. I think it would be such a magnificent sight to see these butterflies fly free, spreading Jennie's spirit all around San Diego.

If you would like to donate $6 in honor of Jennie or your loved one, please visit my fundraising page.
http://main.acsevents.org/goto/deborahderr

Deadline for the butterfly order is April 7th. I hope that you will join me in not only honoring my friend, but the fight against this horrible thing we call cancer.

 

Cancer Fundraising

And the fundraising race has begun!

I finally started to send out emails to my family and friends about the 24hr relay I'm doing again this year for the American Cancer Society. I can't believe it's been almost 10 years since I first joined in on this fight. And this year marks the 3rd year that I'm fundraising for my mom. She was diagnosed in Feb 2009. The week of my grandmother's funeral. It was probably the worst timing ever for her doctor to call and tell her. Yet, at the same time, it was good because she was surrounded by her close family and friends to help with the emotional support.
I think because my mom never showed how fragile it made her feel, it helped me help her. She is a fighter. My mother always had a smile on her face. Even through chemo, she made it seem effortless. To be honest, I was worried every day, but the strength in her made me feel better about whatever the outcome. Thankfully, chemo and surgery worked and she's been in remission for a couple years now. And will for a long time.

I know that cancer has affected all of us in some way. I hope that you can find it in your heart to help save some birthdays with a donation, large or small. Instead of buying that cup of coffee, donate the $5 and help save a life. I set a fundraising goal or $800 which is totally attainable but only with your help.

Thank you to Jeff and Rob for your awesome donations! Love you guys!

You can find my fundraising page here. Thank you in advance for your help.