Another Monday with Mel

As I look back on my journey thus far I can definitely say that I never could of imagined that this experience would be so life changing for me. I thought about that on Saturday night as neighbors like Violet & Claire Atcheson, Linda Hubbell, Trey Bowen and his wonderful wife (whose name leaves me at the moment-sorry!!), and Rita Trivelpiece scrambled around me as we jumped into action to prepare for that night's fundraiser, Cinema Saturday. Then there was the support of Fellowship Church, my home church, there Shea Childers, Joey & AnnDee Neal, Jason & Meredith Bankston and of course the infamous "Father Ott" and his better half Cathy (wink, wink). Can you believe that it doesn't even stop there???? On top of friends and church family I even had part of the community! The local cafe and coffee shop, "Bean & Berry" offered up cotton candy, popcorn And the most important part......ICE CREAM!!

If you could see me right now, my eyes are watering and I'm sure that my face is a shade close to the cotton candy everyone enjoyed on Saturday. I have never felt so happy, so fulfilled, so accomplished about a project as I have with this before. The very thought of the lives that could be saved and touched by the money we have raised is just amazing!

On Saturday I spoke with a neighbor of mine who was diagnosed this year with stage 3 breast cancer. She is such an inspiration to me. She told me, "Why should I feel sorry for myself when there are little children suffering from cancer? I walk into the treatment center and it's not just people my age. There are teenagers and younger. I feel so lucky to of been healthy this long in life." As we spoke, I realized that I'm even luckier. I am still healthy and I am able to physically do something to change lives. What? I will walk sixty miles. I will walk for her. I will walk for my great aunt (who was an amazing woman and lost her battle several years back). I will walk for my mom, who, like my neighbor, faced cancer in her forties with young children. I will walk for those who will hear those words "You have cancer" tomorrow or the next day and will begin to process that there is a part of their body that is toxic and could potentially kill them. And let's be honest, I will walk because I never want to hear those words myself.

To those who came out in support on Saturday night, thank you! We raised $350!!! I am so overcome with happiness. I have finally reached my individual goal in fundraising, but I'm not done...my team still has close to $5,200 (out of $13,200)raise and that means we are more than half way there. I have faith that we can do it.

If you live in the local Athens, Oconee area, please make every effort to come out this SUNDAY to our Tailgate for Tatas at Oconee County High School from 4pm-8pm. We can't wait to raise more money and take one more step closer to finding the cure.

Until next week. Keep your head high and keep thinking pink!
Melissa