A Night to Remember

Hey Friends! Is it Friday yet??! Hope everyone is doing well.  Update on Dad...he still deals with pain issues in his legs and his feet, oftentimes so painful that it is almost impossible to walk.  He had an appointment at City of Hope recently and all of his numbers look good and are in normal range or close to normal range.  He will be referred to a neurologist so they can further assess the pain and problems dad is having with his legs and feet in a couple weeks.  His recovery is still ongoing - day by day is a question as to how he will feel.  It's hard to believe that it has been about nine months since his leukemia journey began.  That's a LONG time to be sick....and although the good days come, they are few and far between.  The doctors say that recovery from this will take about a full year or longer - May 21st will be one year.  

Last week Marcus, my parents and I attended a dinner the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) put on as a thank you/awards ceremony for their many fundraisers held during calendar year 2014.  You may remember we were raising money for dad's Light the Night team and raised over $17,000 in just over one month!  LLS had a record breaking year across the board.  It was inspiring to hear about all of the wonderful things LLS is doing and how funds raised are making a difference in leukemia research, testing, drugs, and trials, as well as how they are serving patients and patient families with funds.  We got to visit with other amazing families that have been touched by leukemia that were there and participated in the Light the Night event as well.  

Our team won many awards - dad was recognized as an honoree as a survivor, our team won the "best team spirit" award, all fundraisers on our team that raised over $1,000 were acknowledged and received a trophy: Tony Marion, Judy Nightengale, my sister Nicole, my cousin Dylan, mom and me).  We were also awarded third place with total funds raised.  It was a wonderful night.  I have included pictures below, and the official Team Bill team picture (I realized I never got around to posting that on the blog until now!)  Look at how many amazingly wonderful people came out and supported our team!

Official team pic

Me accepting dad's survivor honoree award with the other two amazing and heroic young leukemia survivors that were honored!! 

Lastly - it is with a heavy heart that I share that my dad's cousin,  Mike Kozera, is dealing with a serious illness and isn't doing well.  He and my dad had a special relationship growing up and he was the best man in my parents' wedding. We kindly ask that you send up prayers for Mike, his wife, and for his entire family... it is much appreciated.   

Thanks so much everyone.  Love to you all.