"Oh Happy Day"

MelaNoMo'!

It was just an idea that Graham and I brewed up over 3 years ago to create an event to bring family and friends together at a scenic venue for a common cause. I was knee deep in interferon and the side effects that come along with it, so I was unable to work full time but I felt the need to do something proactive about melanoma in a fun celebratory style.

Who wants to walk for three days? Or walk from 8 pm to 8 am around a track? Hear the same bone chilling sad stories about cancer? That's not our style. MelaNoMo'! might be the funnest cancer fundraiser this side of the misipi. It was just a good ole' fashioned fall Saturday. Friends and family came in numbers and brought their appetites, thirst, checkbooks, and most importantly everyone brought a positive ambiance that became contagious throughout the day. Everyone was all smiles and enjoying such a "happy day". The word melanoma is scary and nasty, but now the word MelaNoMo'! Hopefully can bring life and joy and is known for changing the lives in many people that are affected by it. The weather was perfect, johnny's BBQ was excellent, UGA beat Ole Miss, JP Parker Smith Adam Strong & Will Begnaud sounded great on stage, and we even had a Heineken keg. It really all came together in the end to make it the best MelaNoMo'! we have had to date. (going to be hard to top)!!

Can you say, "Thank You"

I can not thank the people that made this years MelaNoMo! Event an absolute success enough. We have surpassed our fundraising goals of $20,000 and are closing in on reaching $30,000!!! This is going to the Melanoma Research Foundation that will use this to fund grants and research trials to help find a cure and create better treatment options, but also they educate and advocate current melanoma patients around the world. THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME!!

 

Accessnorthga.com put together a video the party, check out the link below:

http://vimeo.com/29622445

Also 50/50 is a movie that is coming out this weekend, and I'm pretty sure that it's based on my blog although I'm not getting any royalties. It is a true story of a guy in his mid 20's getting diagnosed with cancer and using humor and a good attitude to get through the difficult times. It's supposed to be the best medicine. Check it out.

Quartely Statements.

The last quarters numbers are in and they are looking pretty good!

 This doesn't refer to the economy nor does it reflect the last 15 minutes of the UGAvBoise game. My CT and MRI took place earlier this week and we like what we see. There is no sign of progression anywhere, and the spots that they believed "might" be cancer are still responding to the medicine and have been shrinking.  Hells yea.

As we were anxiously awaiting the scan results, sitting on the toilet paper wrapped table, I was playing with the ear and eye instruments when the nurse walked in. CAUGHT! She didn't care and nonchalantly said scans look good. Not knowing how to react Marge and I just did a quick high-five, and moved on about what's the next move.  So in 3 months we will have a PET scan in December and are expecting even better numbers in the last quarter to wrap up 2011. I hope that the economy and UGA football can do the same. We are truly thankful for every one's thoughts and prayers and thankful for the results that we are seeing.

I also wanted to thank everyone for the tremendous response we are already getting for MelaNoMo'! which is on 9-24-11. Our goal of raising $20,000 to go towards research grants and patient advocate programs is in reach. Check out www.firstgiving.com/melanomo.

Go Dawgs this weekend, but more importantly GO AMERICA!!