Relay for Life 2014 is in the Books! YAY!!!!!

Instead of long prose about how this and that was, let me just give you the vitals.  I think you will be able to glean from them how special the night was.

The people at 2014 Relay for Life from PGUMC 

Caroline Bray Winters, Challie Sullivan, Drew Sullivan, Claire Sullivan, Danny Sullivan, Lucinda Sullivan, Kelly Werner, Chris Werner, Mark Potratz, Stacy Potratz, Hannah Potratz, Sophie Potratz, Ivey Dodd, Noel Currin, Kevin Currin, Sandy Jennekens, Martha Brown, Heather Jerman, Donald Jerman, Kara Lakey, Harper Minnick, Owen Cole, Christian Santos, Taylor Speri, Jeannette Day, Matt Day, Izzie Day, Jake Day, Chelsea Brown, Amos Brown, Asher Brown, Nikki Speri, Bill Speri, Kathy Lakey, Micah Minnick, Michelle Baitsholts, Todd Baitsholts, Mike Pfeiffer, Suzanne Pfeiffer, Leslie Schreiner, Martin Schreiner, Adam Schreiner, Tara Hardy, Jack Lakey, Mandy Cousins, Emmaline Cousins, Shannon Hardy, Vickie McGee, Sydney McGee, Allana Minnick, Molly Minnick, Derek Osterhoudt, Lindsay Osterhoudt, Chandler Osterhoudt, Brighton Osterhoudt, Maverick Osterhoudt, Jamison Osterhoudt, Grace Guinn, Harrison Sullivan, Jill Boliek, Mark Boliek and many middle school youth that I do not know personally.

Friends who stopped in from other teams to say hello and walk along side us: Dana Murphy, Sherwin Murphy, Jr., and many more who went unnamed.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The beginning: cheering on the cancer survivors during lap one at 6:30pm
• I began on lap two, the caregiver lap - walking along side Chris & Kelly Werner.  Tears flowing freely.  Subsequently then walking shoulder to shoulder with Claire, Ivey, Kelly, Challie, Caroline, Drew, Danny, Stacy, Mark, Jill & Mark Boliek
• Pausing at each of Joe’s 7 luminaries as they were put out along the side of the track. Shedding tears each time a new one was seen
• Joe’s name & photo during luminaria ceremony slide show.
• Quiet, darkness filled luminary walk.  Pausing just a moment again at each of Joe’s luminaries, then many, many, many laps over the next 10 hours.  
• So glad to have the middle school youth there to take up the slack when the adults just couldn’t pull themselves up out of chairs in the middle of the night
• Watching those participating in the hour long Zumba class.
• Watching the belly dancer …a bit odd but the husbands & young kids in the first row seemed to have enjoyed.
• The ear splitting rendition of Grease
• The hourly game announcements
• The lights
• The high humidity
• The cool overnight temperatures
• The laughs
• The stories
• The tears
• The aches & pains; the cramps & swollen ankles & feet; the aching backs
• The dazed expressions of middle school kids going with minimal sleep
• The even more dazed expression on adults faces who went with even less sleep
• The breaking down of the campsite
• Being told I came in second only to learn 5 minutes later of a mathematical error and I actually finished first in fundraising
• The loud cheering from my fellow PGUMC team members when I accepted my little trophy for most individual fundraising 2014
• The long last lap around the track and to the car
• The even longer drive home, subsequent shower and brushing of teeth
• The sheer exhaustion and being unable to sleep
• The tears shed sitting typing highlights when thinking back to how this has become such a part of my life.  How did I get to this point?  Thats when the sobbing began.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported me with a donation this year.  I am so incredibly grateful for your financial generosity and your generosity of spirit. Without you, walking around a high school track for 15 hours in muggy, cold temperatures with painful feet, legs & back would be just another Friday night.  But thanks to you, its RELAY FOR LIFE.   Making more birthdays happen with every lap walked.

Only One Week to Relay. Am I Ready?

The time is drawing very, very close.  One week from today I will have my walking shoes on and come the end of the Opening Ceremony at Relay for Life, start walking on Lap 2.  For those that have never participated in a Relay for Life, the first lap is for Cancer Survivors.  Caregivers start on Lap 2, then everyone joins in from there on.  My plea last week to help me over the hump to hit my $3000 goal worked and as of this typing, I am at $3171.  Wow! 

However, you know me and I don’t give up easily so I’m still asking, begging, annoying anyone and everyone for more donations.  I’ve been at this since February 3^rd.  I’m like a dog with a bone..I won’t let go!!  As with each of the many previous pleas for support, it is very easy to make a donation, no matter how small or large.  You can click the link below to make a donation online using your credit card or you can use the same link to make a donation with a check by printing off a donation sheet and mailing the sheet along with the check to the American Cancer Society.  Please also make the check payable to The American Cancer Society.

I am sure next weekend will be an emotional one for me, as it was last year.  This year during the Luminaria Ceremony for those that lost the battle to cancer that precedes the Luminaria Walk, when Joe’s name shows up on the big screen, his photo will be there too.  Like last year, unless I happen to be comatose by that time, I’m sure I will cry.  Just like last year, I’m sure I will shed tears each and every time I pass by one of the luminaries with Joe’s name on it that will line the track.  But just like last year, I know that Joe will be watching me, quietly walking by my side, holding my hand and holding me up. Urging me forward. 

The support of my friends & family have been critical this past year and I carry each of you in my heart as I walk this coming Friday and Saturday.  Thank you and Keep On Relaying to Fight Cancer!

RELAY FOR LIFE DONATION WEBSITE

All donations to Relay for Life/The American Cancer Society are 100% Tax Deductible.

TEAM PGUMC IS PUMPED AND READY!

 

2 Weeks to go to Relay for Life 2014

I will make this short, sweet, and painless.  It is just over 2 weeks before Relay for Life and I am STILL behind what I had hoped I would raise.  Yes, I know, I have still raised a LOT of money, but the perfectionist in me won’t be happy with just a LOT.  More, more, more!  Anyway, I said short.

As of this writing I am at $2921 of my $3000 goal.  Soooo, just a little bit more (at least until I raise my goal).   Link below.

SPONSOR JEFF IN RELAY FOR LIFE

Thank you so very much.  Your support, prayers & donations mean so incredibly much to me.

P.S. -  See, I told ya it was short!

April: In like a lamb, out like a lion?

Is it April or March that comes in like a Lion and out like a Lamb?  Or is it in like a lamb and out like a lion?  Regardless of what month is associated with saying, or the order, I will attribute it to April.  April 1st the company I work for merged with another company.  Changes ensued, of course.  Now as all of you know, like many people, I have had my fair share of change.  The last few years, maybe more than my share.  I’m not one that embraces change as my own personal history has not associated change with “good”.  However, when there really isn’t anything you can do about it, you really don’t have any other choice but to make the most of it.  So that is what my mindset has been for the last two weeks as the whirlwind of work activity has settled into a manageable routine.  With the merger, one of the guarantees that the owners of the former company negotiated was that staff (me and one other) would still have employment opportunities.  That guarantee made the Chapel Hill office different from the other offices because there is typically only one staff person filling our particular positions.  There are aspects of the jobs that we do that is not replicated in the other offices however.  Therefore it presented a dilemma.  What to do with two people??  Short term answer is that I will be splitting my time between my Chapel Hill office and our corporate office in Raleigh.  The reason for me doing the splitting is because of my particular skill set that can be utilized in Raleigh, especially during spring market.  So for the time being, I will be in Raleigh 2 days a week and Chapel Hill 3 days.  Not a problem for me as I have enjoyed the break from the agents in my office and the camaraderie at corporate…thus far.  Even the commute is about the same with only a 3-5 minute extra travel time to get to corporate.  Is this not interesting???  :)   The point of the above paragraph is basically that I’m going through more change.

Also as April comes to a close, it means that Relay for Life is only a month away.  We have some great fundraising events coming up.  First up is the PGUMC outdoor plant sale going on today and tomorrow at the church.  Three gallon plants, $12-$15 each depending on the variety of the plant.  Come out and get your flowering plants & bushes for your yards.  Spring is here!  Next up will be the “Paint It Forward” event at Wine & Design.  Come out for an evening of fundraising and walk away with your very own painting.  After that comes what may be the most fun: “Homebrew for Life”.  Three home brewers will have their wares available to sample away.  Make a donation for Relay for Life and have a tasty brew(s).  Information on all of these events can be found by visiting the PGUMC website of just email me and I will gladly send you any and all details.  Caroline & Leslie have worked really hard to make these events become a reality and those of us involved in Relay are very excited and grateful.   What isn't so exciting is the fact that I seem to have hit a brick wall with my own fundraising.  Yes, the number has ticked up some, but not what I had hoped for. (hint, hint….sympathy…poor pitiful me).  I had expected a slower year this year than last but I haven’t been quite able to get the momentum going as we head into the home stretch of the last 45 days.  

So of course, here is my plea.  Relay for Life through the American Cancer Society is responsible for more birthdays being celebrated in 2013 & 2014 than ever before.  Each extra birthday represents a person whose life has been extended due to new treatments as a result of research funded by these events.  Most everyone reading this has been affected by cancer in some way.  A mother, a father, a sister, a brother, a husband, a wife, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a relative, or a friend.  We all know someone.  Someone who has been diagnosed, who has battled, who is battling, who has won, or who has lost.  I know a large number of people who have fought and won.  I know a group of people who are currently fighting and who I pray win.  I know those who have not won.  My mom did not win her fight against colon cancer.  My husband did not win his battle against pancreatic cancer.  I walk for both of them, to remember.  I walk for Paxton, Charlie, Mary, Mitch, and Cathy, who either are battling or who have battled and thus far won the fight.  I invite anyone who is reading this to come out to our Relay for Life on May 30th-31st.  Come walk with me one lap, or ten laps, or just hang out and talk.  Feel the energy.  Feel the hope.  Feel the love.  Feel the need.  I know most can’t be there (although if you do, you will be forever changed).  If you can’t, you can be there in spirit by making a sponsorship donation for my walk.  As I’ve said before, last year changed me for the better.  With each step, I feel Joe beside me.  Through the laughter and the tears of the fellowship that we share at the event, we all are touched in some way.  A link to my Relay donation site is at the bottom of the post.  All donations go to the American Cancer Society.  You can make a donation online or you can print off a donation sheet and mail in a check to the Raleigh American Cancer Society.  Please make the checks payable to the ACS.   I ask for your support.  I need your support.

Only as a community working together can we ever effect change and make cancer in all it’s terrible forms a remnant of the past.

Thank you for your time, your prayers, your friendship and your support.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION ONLINE TO RELAY FOR LIFE

CLICK HERE TO PRINT A DONATION FORM TO MAIL WITH A CHECK

March 2014 is coming to a close....finally!

Has anyone else out there had enough of this month?  Snow, ice, cold rain, wild temperature swings, irritating people...this month has had it all.  I've had work delays, work irritations, work power outages, home improvements, home irritations, home bound, church meetings, church irritations, church sorrows, church happiness, and then I fell down.  Yes ladies and gentlemen, I fell again and messed up my left ankle.  For faithful readers, you may remember March 2011 when I fell getting up off the couch.  That resulted in a foot broken in two places and a slight tendon tear.  This time I wasn't quite as spastic.  It happened this past Sunday.  Church got out at 11:55pm so I decided to swing by Chipotle and pick up some lunch.  After getting my "burrito bowl" to go and pulling back on Glenwood Ave. I decided to swing into the CVS for sinus meds.  As I was returning to the car I stepped off the curb.  That's all it took.  My ankle twisted and gave way and down I went, in the parking lot.  I managed to cut my knee and tear a perfectly good pair of pants.  However, I did manage to miss the bumper of my car by about an inch.  Only saving grace.  I had two onlookers.  The first one just ignored me and went back to his Red Box selection.  The second, who was sitting in her car, asked if I was ok and then got out and helped me get into my car.  I drove from there to Duke Urgent Care and managed to get someone to get me a wheelchair so I could get in the place.  X-rays showed nothing broken, just a bad sprain.  So I'm back in the boot and back on the crutches.  Hopefully neither will be needed long.  My arms are already aching after just 2 days.  At least I'm getting an upper body workout!

Other than that, the only thing that is really going on is Relay for Life prep.  I ordered a very nice (at least I think so since I designed it) banner for the event.  It's generic for church use so we should be able to use it for several years or until it tears or wears out.  Whichever comes first.  For anyone interested, and I know ALL of you are.  The Relay event I'm participating in is the Relay for Life Leesville/Brier Creek/RTP that will be on May 30th-31st at Leesville Road High School.  If interested in participating or in being a sponsor/making a donation, please use this link.

RELAY FOR LIFE

The only other news from March is that after 3 years, I am off my anxiety medication. YAY!!!!!!!!!!  At least for now anyway.  It's been 2 weeks.  It has taken me the last 3 months to ween myself off.  I found out the hard way that you can't just stop cold turkey.  The body does not like that.  I went from a 1mg tablet 2 times a day to a .5mg tablet 2 times a day to then just 1 .5mg tablet daily.  On March 7 I had my last .5mg tablet.  Since then it's been nothing, nada, zilch!  I must say it is nice not to have to take them.  Now if I could only get my sinuses to behave (spring, it's lovely but brutal on my allergies).  So far in March I have had major headaches and sniffles.  Mid May can't get here soon enough for me.  That's usually about the time that I start to acclimate to the spring. Until then I sniffle, sneeze, wheeze and blow my nose.

One other thing this month is my reservation at Holden Beach for the summer.  I made a deal with my sister and family that if I got the house rented, would they provide the food.  Phyllis & Woodie took the deal so we are set for July.  Another YAY!!!!!!!!!  New house, so other than the location (Holden Beach) it shouldn't be too sad.  At least I'm hopeful.  An opportunity to make new memories.  As usual, I want to thank everyone for all the support, prayers and good wishes.  It's you who keep me going!

Relay For Life 2014...Yes, it's time to get started again

Yep, I'm afraid so folks....get out your checkbooks and/or credit cards 'cause Jeff is coming to ask for money for sponsorship.  My walk for Relay For Life will be Friday, May 30, 2014 @ 6:00 pm through Saturday, May 31 @ 8:00 am.  Here is my story:

Why I Participate in a Relay Event 
Because on January 13, 2013, the most wonderful man I have ever known, died from pancreatic cancer. My partner in life and love fought that dreaded disease for more than 2 years.  For more than two years he endured surgery and constant radiation and chemotherapy treatments.  For more than two years he never complained but held his head high and lived a dignified life filled with love and grace.  If that man, my husband, could fight that hard for that long, then I owe it to him to do whatever I can to help others not have to feel that pain.  Because I know I will make a difference in the fight to end cancer. I know that by raising funds and walking in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life event, I will help save lives from cancer. I do it to honor Joe Lupton and the strength and dignity that he exemplified in life. I do it to honor my mother who died of colon cancer in 1997.  I do it to honor my colleague Cathy Walker who fought colon cancer in 2013 and won.  I do it to honor Paxton Phelps who has bravely fought leukemia this past year and taught all of us what real courage is as he continues his battle, heading towards victory. (Go Team Paxton!)

It's astounding to think that millions of people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. I know from personal experience that when that happens, life as you know it is changed forever.  Mine was.

A Relay For Life event is not only a way to join my community to fight back against cancer, but it is also a way to inspire hope by raising funds and awareness to help those facing the disease. All of us know someone who has had, or has a form of this dreaded disease.  That is overwhelming to me.  A disease is so prevalent in our society, that all of us have been touched by it in some way.
 
Who I'm Participating For
My reason for participating in my Relay For Life event is very personal.  It is for the most important person that ever was a part of my life.  It is for my partner and husband. We all participate in Relay events because we've been affected by cancer in some way and because a Relay For Life event gives us the power to make a difference and fight back. This is my opportunity to honor Joe and the incredible impact he had on so many lives.  He was loved by so many.  Influenced so many.  He should be here.  He should be physically walking beside me in this event.  However, pancreatic cancer took him much too soon.  So I will be there and carry him in my heart and throughout my very being throughout the night and the rest of my life.

I have signed up to walk and fundraise in the Leesville/Briercreek/RTP Relay For Life event. I hope you will consider making a donation in support of my efforts. Or come join me.  It is one of the most rewarding nights you can ever had. Last year we laughed alot, we cried alot and we walked alot.  Walking last year was the impetus for me making radical lifestyle changes:  excercise, diet and attitude.  Now I am more than 50 lbs lighter and will probably run some of the laps this year!  The event is filled with empathy, grace and fellowship.  If you haven't participated in one, consider it.  You will not regret it. (Unless it rains!!)

Together, we have the power to help create a world where cancer can no longer claim another  life.
For my Joe.  Joe Lupton. 2/11/1956 - 1/13/2013

If you are feeling even remotely generous, please visit my Relay for Life page HERE .  You can contribute by credit card online or you can print up a donation sheet and mail a check.  If you write a check, be sure and make it out to The American Cancer Society.  The information needed to identify the event I am participating in is on my page.  Once again, you can access the page by clicking HERE.

Last year I far exceeded by primary goal.  I hope to do so again this year.  But it isn't about coming in first, second or third (which I did last year by the way out of approximately 300 participants...but whose counting, right?).  It's about raising money to fund research and creating awareness of this overwhelming disease and the need to find better treatment and ultimately cures.

Here is link to the Luminaria walk from last year:  LUMINARIA WALK - RELAY FOR LIVE 2013

Thank you for the consideration and for your support.