Race Stories

Two thousand eight was a year that all Cedar Rapidians will not soon forget. The year of the flood.  For me, the flood was about much more than water.

My husband lost his job in the floods of 2008. His employer, located on the first floor of the Cherry Building, was unable to fully recover from the destruction. Of course, this wasn't known immediately, so my husband began working for a friend doing home remodeling and flood reconstruction projects while waiting to see if his employer would be able to get things going again. In the meantime our income dropped pretty dramatically. I was a stay-at-home mom and we were tightening our belt any way we could, including taking me off my husband's employer's medical plan (His monthly premium was covered, mine was not) and getting a short term major medical policy instead.  We hoped that given a few months, things would turn around, Jim would be back to work and I'd return to the regular medical insurance policy.

During this time I was due for my annual mammogram. Since my mother had had breast cancer a few years before, my doctor suggested I begin with a baseline mammogram and have annual check-ups. I almost cancelled that yearly check-up. The cost of a mammogram would not be covered by the major medical policy I knew and our expenses were already beginning to take their toll two months post flood. Ultimately, I just knew I needed to get it done. I asked the woman at the Mercy Women's Center registration desk about any financial assistance that may be available. I told her minimally, I would need to work out a payment plan. She explained the Especially For You fund. I filled out a form and was approved.  The EFY fund paid in full the mammogram that I almost put off for next year. That was the mammogram that revealed cancer in my right breast and was possibly the mammogram that saved my life. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on September 29, 2008. I was 37.

Everyone at Mercy and throughout my cancer treatment was wonderful. My cancer was caught early thanks to that mammogram.  I had a lumpectomy, followed by six weeks of radiation and five years of medication. With the support of my medical team, my family and friends and relying heavily on my faith, I came through that difficult time healthy and very grateful for the outpouring of support I experienced beginning with the Especially For You fund.

I have been a participant of the Especially For You race many years now. It has always been a fun event to do with friends, but the true purpose of the race came sharply into focus for me in 2008. Thank you Mercy Women's Center and Especially For You!

- Wendy Dickens

Watch Wendy tell her story at the 2013 Power of Pink Lighting event:

Kari Low has had plenty to keep her busy: work, taking two classes and planning her November 11 wedding. Preparing for that special day has been fun and exciting, but she found herself feeling a void in the midst of her joy. She was missing someone special who should be with her: her mom.

Judy Low, Kari’s mom, died of cancer in 1997, when Kari was just 22. Judy was diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer, and died only six weeks later.

Now, Kari, planning for her first marriage at age 36, found herself wishing for a way to include at least the memory of her mother in the wedding preparations. She found a unique way to do just that and also honor her mother’s memory: forming a team to walk in Sunday’s Especially For You Race Against Breast Cancer.

"My sister and I talked about doing something to remember her but nothing really struck a chord," Kari explained. "But this race stood out. I decided this was the one way I could really honor her, this year."

All the better because Saturday night, the eve of the walk, was Kari’s bridal shower. There, she handed out her team EFY shirts to her girlfriends and sister, Laurel Feldt, who made up the 10-member team. The shirts are especially distinctive. They read: J Low & the Bridal Bachelorette Babes.

"I knew it was going to be an emotional weekend, that's for sure, but I was excited," Kari said, laughing at imagining her mother’s reaction if she’d seen those shirts.

But Kari knew that her friends and family – including her dad – would wear with pride those one-of-a-kind shirts, honoring Judy and helping raise funds for breast care services. It all fit, Kari noted.

"I just hoped when they saw all those thousands of people they’d realize I chose this race because of how much of a community event this is for Cedar Rapids," Kari explained, "and how much cancer touches all of us."

I would like to share a story that did not occur to me until the day of this year's race.  I was involved in most of the years, I remember the first race that was held. We had, maybe 50-60 women and made a circle in the parking lot and held hands for the opening prayer. That parking lot isn't there anymore and you now need a microphone for the prayer.  There are so many wonderful people participating that you can't even line up on the same street. I just think it's great that this event and recognition has grown like it has. Here’s to many more years!!

Wendy Armstrong
10/6/2005

My name is Lisa Walderbach. I just turned 18 at the beginning of July. I formed the team "Schlitter Sisters" last year in honor of my aunt Cindy Schlitter. This team was made to celebrate Cindy's hard work and determination.

Cindy was diagnosed with breast cancer in October of 2004. She has now been cancer free for almost two years. When she was undergoing treatment and surgery she didn't really worry too much about herself. The only thing she was worried about is her family. It was a long year for her and she kept fighting.

I look up to Cindy.  Her hard work, determination, devotion and love make up what the person that she is today.  I hope that I will be half of the person she is when I get older.

Lisa Walderbach
7/30/2006

I have completed all 16 5K walks for breast cancer and I have all the t-shirts. The reason I got started walking was in July 1991, my special friend Lyn Taylor passed away from breast cancer.  It was at the same time Sandy Knight passed away and the walk began.  Lyn’s breast cancer was located where the mammogram did not detect it. She even had a bone marrow transplant. At the time, I was in a chapter of Beta Sigma Phi with her and our whole chapter walked as a tribute to her. Although I am no longer in Beta Sigma Phi, I have continued to walk in her memory. Over the years, I have had various friends walk with me.

I am very fortunate that we have not had any breast cancer in our family.

Norma Schmatt
8/2/2006

This story was written for the most part by Susan, my sister who passed away from breast cancer.

August 22, 2005: I am a 33yr old woman who has been Breast Cancer free for over a year now... I am a widowed mother of two and my mother has lung cancer... My last two years have been a total wreck...during this last 2 years I have tried to overcome the loss of my husband, my breast cancer and my mothers cancer...During this time I turned to drugs to help myself deal with my life...I just recently realized that I had a problem and am now dealing with it and getting the help and support from my family and friends..This was a hard thing to admit to anyone, but now I am going on the right track for myself, my children and my family and friends. So this is my story and I have more to say but I don’t know how much I should say.. So I am leaving it at this...Sue Teel.

November 2005 Update: Susan’s cancer is back.

February 2006 Update: Susan passed away Feb. 5, 2006. She lost her battle with cancer but we as her family will never let her children forget what a beautiful person she was.

Eeyore’s Susie Q’s may have lost Susan, but in her memory we fight for her Daughter, her niece, her sisters and any other women who may have to face Breast Cancer.

Ronda Buchtela
8/11/2006

On May 13, 2005, I lost my grandmother, Dora Suttle, to breast cancer. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years previous, underwent treatments, and progressed tremendously. Then a few months later, she relapsed and suffered even worse than the first time. She kept going through the treatments and within a few months got better. Around the beginning of May of 2005, she took a turn for the worst. She had developed tumors in her arms, leg and brain. During her last few hours on this earth, she had what's known as "the death rattle" and the home care specialist knew at that point she wasn't going to make it.

She is tremendously missed but at least she is in a better place. This is the first time I will be running for her and I hope to make this a yearly event.

9/6/2006

I don’t think anyone realizes what good friends they have until they are faced with something like breast cancer. I was only 26 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002. Needless to say, it scared my friends to death. We all thought we had 20-some years before we needed to worry about things like breast cancer.

I have three roommates from college that I am still close to. We try to get together at least once a year to catch up. Up until then, we had picked a weekend in October each year to do a little Christmas shopping.  

The year I had cancer, I knew I wouldn’t feel up to walking around a shopping mall, and figured I would have to skip the shopping trip.  They must have been thinking the same thing, because they called and told me that in lieu of a shopping trip, they had decided to walk in the breast cancer walk in Cedar Rapids. We’ve been walking ever since. The walk is now our annual tradition. Although I wasn’t feeling well enough to walk in 2002, I haven’t missed a year since!  

Tracy Clair
9/27/2006

The day was beautiful and somewhat chilly as I recall. This was 1991. I was halfway through my chemo and I was tired. I intended to do the short walk, but by chance, met a long-time friend whom I had not seen for a few years. We talked and walked and, suddenly, I realized I was walking the entire course. It was thrilling to see a sea of white shirts on the Cedar Rapids streets. I still have mine and occasionally wear it.  I finished, by the way.

Especially for You speaks to a central issue in health care – access to quality care. EFY provides access for thousands of women. The care they get in our area is top quality.

I have participated most years and have many shirts. I have often walked with friends or groups, but basically, I like walking by myself with thousands around me. While walking, I think of all the women I have known who have had breast cancer, who are surviving, who are no longer living and those who are currently in treatment.

The organizers have created an event where the money raised goes to the purpose for which it was intended.  

Thank you,
Suki Cell
8/23/2007

In was Friday, March 12, 1976 when our mother went in for a simple breast biopsy. We waited and waited and waited thinking something is really wrong, this shouldn't take this long when finally our family doctor came out. I will never forget him taking all of us into a small room, closed the door and then proceeded to tell us they found cancer and had performed a radical mastectomy. He then informed us that she had approximately 6 months to live and it would spread to her other breast, then her liver and then her bones. My God, we were devastated and in shock. I can tell you that I never want to be pulled into one of those little rooms again.

As mom was in recovery, we all left the hospital, going in different directions and to this day, none of us can tell you where we went or what we did, I guess we were all lost in our own worlds!

Upon returning to the hospital and going to mom's room, I remember her sitting up, wide awake and saying, "Aoh, I feel so refreshed," and then the doctors came in to tell her the news. "You have cancer and about 6 months to live." She looked around the room at them and then at her family and said to the doctors, "No, I am not done here and I am not dying of YOUR cancer." 

We waited several days for the news of how many lymph nodes were involved and, while she was all alone in her room, the doctor came and told her how many nodes were cancerous and that these nodes were in the worst possible position and she would die. 

She called me and I swear a 20 minute drive across Cedar Rapids took about 5 minutes. I walked into her room, stopped and looked at her across the room and, for the very first time in my young life, I saw my mother as a person, a person with feelings, fears, hopes, dreams, just like me!  At that very moment in time, she became one of my best friends and still is today.  After 31 years, she is still my best friend and still tells people she is not dying of "Their Cancer."  She changed her life, she willingly entered a breast cancer research program (which I believe has helped thousands of women around the world) and never once owned "their cancer" and I admire and respect this woman more than anyone I know. 

More than that, I love this woman, my friend and my mother more than anyone will ever know. She walks in the EFY walk every year and has encouraged her daughters and niece and others to walk with her. She even had the best time one year for her age group; and the doctors said only 6 months to live, well, she is, still to this day, cancer-free and alive and, at the young age of 78, is walking here today and encouraging others to walk! Her name is Odette Welton!

Suzanne Welton
9/5/2007

My name is Margean Gardner and I got involved with ESPECIALLY FOR YOU because I knew Sandy Knight.

Way back in 1989 the ACS, the CFTA (Cosmetics, Toilettes, and Fragrance Association) and the NCA (National Cosmetology Association) put together a support program called LOOK GOOD...FEEL BETTER. This program helped Cancer patients cope with the physical changes, most importantly their hair loss, during chemo treatment. I received my training in Des Moines and organized the program in Linn County.

Now Sandy Knight was one of my first Cancer patients that I assisted.  She wrote me a lovely note telling about how this program helped to make her feel comfortable around people again.  Of course that is what LOOK GOOD...FEEL BETTER is all about.  I even took her note and read it at a District Cancer Meeting to share with others the importance of this program.  The note will forever remain in my file.

I have contributed to the walk every year and have walked it almost every year. My goal is to try to finish in the top three of my age category. One year I received Pink Ribbon key chain that I passed on to a dear friend that is a Cancer Survivor.

Now if you think my story is worth sharing, fine and yet if you think something could be added or deleted let me know.  I will be most happy to do so.  Bottom line is that the LOOK GOOD...FEEL BETTER program works!

Thank you

Margean Gardner
9/5/07

Hi, this will be short and from the heart.

For those of you who don't know who I am, I am Dawn Marsden. I have worked for Mark & Gail Shelton for over 13 years. I have known them even longer. Our children grew up together, played together, laughed together and had good times together. I have been married for 29 years, have six wonderful children and I have five awesome grandchildren. (Great Family)

I am also a Breast Cancer Survivor. I was diagnosed in December 2005 with stage three breast cancer. I underwent a mastectomy at the end of December 2005. After recovering from surgery, I started chemotherapy Jan 14th, 2006 for 4 months. I lost my hair, my eyelashes, my eyebrows and I lost my energy. Cancer did not take my Hopes, my Dreams or my Fight! Cancer can take a lot away from you, as far too many of us know.

I am still here, I am a lucky one. I am still here to help and to share my story, for those who are now in our hearts and our memories, and for those who are going through the fight of their lives.

October 14th is the 17th Annual "Especially for You" Women's Race Against Breast Cancer. I know I will be there, ready and able! Please come and walk with us, come and walk for us. Come and bring hope and dreams, come and help the fight.

Thank you for taking the time. Thank you for your support. I am a wife, I am a Mother, I am a Grandmother, I am a Daughter, I am a Sister, and I am a Friend. I am a Breast Cancer SURVIVOR!!

Thank you Mark & Gail.  Thank you SPS (Strategic Print Solutions).

Dawn A Marsden
Summer 2007

As a charter member of the “Especially for You” support group and race committee, it is truly an honor for me to continue this affiliation.  I will briefly tell you my story and give you a few thoughts on receiving a cancer diagnosis.

I am a two-time breast cancer survivor.

My first breast cancer was diagnosed in 1986.  At a routine physical, the gynecologist decided that my right breast looked pink. He immediately scheduled a mammogram, which revealed nothing.  It was decided that a biopsy would be in order.  That was reported as negative.

How clearly I remember my husband bringing me some soup that evening and saying, “We may have to face something like this someday, but we really pulled it off this time.”

We had not told our youngest son about the problem. He was only in sixth grade and we were trying to protect him.  The biggest lesson we learned is, NEVER try to protect any member of the family, by not telling them about the problem.  He was very in tune to the fact that there was something very wrong, and worried it could be his fault.

When I returned the following day to have the tubes removed, the surgeon told me that there had been a horrible mistake the day before, and that I did indeed have cancer!  We had not pulled anything off and now we had a lot of explaining to do.

When I say we, my husband was with me every step of the way.  I know as sure as I am standing here, that the surgery, the chemotherapy, the radiation, every needle stick, and all the emotional turmoil, was much harder on him than it was on me.  He wanted to help, but he was helpless.  Everything was out of control.

The best way to explain your emotions when you have been given a diagnosis of cancer is to say that you feel like a ship lost at sea without a rudder!   You are tossed about at random, from Doctor to Doctor, test to test, and pillar to post. Your whole world has turned upside down in a matter of minutes.

You, your family and your friends, cry at the drop of a hat, it can be all day and sometimes all night!  You are gripped in fear.  You are sure you are going to die.  You soon know which friends are going to be there for you and which ones cannot face you.

The result of all the testing I went through was that I was told I had about a year to live!  We were advised to seek a second opinion.  This was when second opinions were only beginning to surface.

We had the second opinion and things began to look up.  After the mastectomy however, we were told that 26 out of 31 lymph nodes were positive.  You are probably aware that the status of the axillary lymph nodes is the single, most important predictor of metastasis and survival from breast cancer.  With 26 positive lymph nodes, women just do not survive!

The Chemotherapy treatment that was suggested was intense.  The chemo was given for 5 consecutive days every 5 weeks and it lasted a year.  At the same time I had 6 weeks of radiation, as well as being on steroids and had hormonal treatment.

Through a combination of things, the physicians, the treatment prescribed and, the Doctors’ tell me, my attitude, somehow, someway, I survived, but, never the less, my life expectancy was still only three years.  All of this was 15 years ago.

The physicians continue to be amazed and to this day, my oncologist calls me his “miracle lady”.   I call him my “miracle worker”.

Then, 8 years ago, the “I have been there and done that” experience came into play.  I was given the second diagnosis of breast cancer.  This time it was discovered much sooner and the treatment simplified, but mentally, I did not handle the episode well at all.

The thoughts of going through another surgery, chemotherapy, with all of its’ side effects, losing my hair, in addition to feeling sorry for myself, caused me to become depressed, the extreme opposite of my normal personality.  Concisely, I wanted to hibernate and I was angry.

Fortunately, my physician understood and temporarily put me on Prozac. Very shortly, I was back to my usual life style and activities.  There are times when you simply cannot take control of your emotions.

Bernie Siegel, MD, says that he has found that four faiths are crucial to recovery from serious illness:  faith in oneself, one’s doctor, one’s treatment, and one’s spiritual faith.

I have found these faiths to be true.  This is not easy to see at the beginning of your cancer journey.  It unfolds as time goes by.  You begin to see subtle changes in yourself.  You can see that through faith you will be able to achieve goals you would not have even been able to conceive before.

I have a dream.  My dream is to reach beyond myself---to do something I never thought I could do.  I have truly discovered my passion, which is something we all search for in our lives.

I have found a sense of joy and a zest for living. I now work on something I truly know about first hand--breast cancer issues. I devote my time to it.  The American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute have asked for my help on a national level. This is something that is far beyond anything I would have expected to do at this point in my life.

I thank God for showing me the way to this wonderful newly found appreciation for life and its opportunities, and for giving me so many blessings in the way of a loving family and supportive friends.

God has richly blessed me.  He has shown me how to find great wisdom in adversity.  I have lived, learned and laughed because of breast cancer.

It is a joy, to acknowledge the moment, when you recognize you are happy. I remember the old Sunday school song “If you’re happy, and you know it, clap your hands.”  I am clapping! I am clapping!!

ALWAYS remember those who have gone before us and lost their battles.  They each make all of this worthwhile.  But, remember, the past was yesterday, tomorrow is out of reach, today, is the only thing any of us have.  Enjoy! Love! Celebrate Life!

Kim called me after participating in the Especially for you Breast Cancer walk on Oct. 20, 1996.  She told me how emotional the walk had been…of those she saw who were currently battling the disease, of the teams  whose shirts had logos and pins in memory of loved ones.  Participating in the walk touched Kim’s heart in such a way that she expressed her intent to get a team together every year.

Oct. 21, 1996, just one day after she walked, Kim was killed in a car accident.  With her desire in mind, family and friends stepped in and Kim’s Team was born. Each year memories are shared, tears flow, hugs are given and laughter is heard, yes Kim, even in death you can continue to help others as we all fight this terrible disease together.  You would say “Mom, love does not die, people do, so when all that is left of me is love give me away."

In 1993, I ran the 5K race in my first Especially for You Women’s Race Against Breast Cancer and pushed a baby jogger carrying my one-year-old daughter.  My husband kidded about dressing up as woman so he could run with me.   At that time, I viewed the race as just another opportunity for me to get back in shape while supporting a “good” cause, even though both my grandmother and aunt on my father’s side had died of breast cancer.  My grandmother on my mother’s side had already had her mastectomy, but she still lived to be 100.

Since that first race eleven years ago, I have lost one dear friend to breast cancer and know far too many women who have been diagnosed with this disease. My older sister had a double mastectomy in 1996 and is battling a recurrence seven years after her first diagnosis.  An older cousin on my mother’s side had her lumpectomy a few years ago.

Last year I participated in the event again, only this time as a breast cancer survivor after my own diagnosis in February of 2004.   I completed the 1-Mile Family Walk with my  husband, 12-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son.  There is too much at stake now for my family and me to stop participating in an event which raises so much awareness and hope about finding a cure.

I met Troy the same way lots of us have. Four years ago, she was organizing a team to walk in this fundraiser. I joined the “Women of Troy” in part because I had heard Troy was battling breast cancer herself, in part because I believed in the cause, but mostly because she was “Troy”.  She asked me to walk three miles.  I volunteered to RUN three miles.  I had never run even ONE mile in my life.  Because of Troy, I finished the race.  This was a minor miracle.

I have since come to realize that I’m really no exception.  It’s Troy who’s exceptional.  In the short time I’ve known her, I’ve seen Troy extract “miracles” from so many others.  Wallets open before sentences are finished. Help is offered without hesitation.  Local businesses contribute.  But Troy doesn’t ask for herself.  She asks only for others.  She asks so a family of a breast cancer victim can get its oven fixed, or so these women’s children may have a backpack… or socks.

And we all give.  Because Troy sees a problem and knows she can fix it.  Because she acts instead of complains.  Because she is happy and funny and straightforward.  She is the person we want in our lives.

There are lots of people who need our help.  Troy told me just yesterday, “There’s so much need”.  That’s why I know I will run each year.  For Troy.  And for all of us who need her.

When my children were infants and required child care, we found this loving, grandmotherly woman, Ellie, who the kids absolutely loved.  After caring for my babies for five years, Ellie’s daughter, Sandy, was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Our family has been so touched by what Sandy’s family went through that we whole-heartedly support this race.

I have walked every race and always look forward to the next race.  My daughter has participated in thirteen of the races, starting in a wagon when she was too little to walk the race.  When my daughter was in Girl Scouts our Troop started walking together.  Then we decided to invite our other friends and their daughters to join us.  We are now a group of at least thirty females of all ages, walking together, laughing, discussing  and solving all the world’s problems (as we see them, of course) and most importantly just being together. What an awesome sight to turn the corner onto Second Avenue and see the sea of women all in their walk shirts, all there to support each other.  It is the most life-affirming event I have been honored to be a part of.  Breakfast afterwards is always a great way to wrap up the morning!

I have also had the opportunity through my employers to recruit others for the Fairfax State Savings Bank Team and can now continue to encourage others from the College Community School District to participate.  Serving on the Steering Committee and the Special Events sub-committee has enabled me to appreciate the efforts and hundreds of community volunteers that it takes to make this race a reality each year.  I know of no other event that the entire registration fee goes directly to women in need of help, thanks to the many people, organizations and businesses that support this cause through their donations.

I pray that any person I love will never be afflicted with breast cancer and that my efforts have made a difference for others.

I started walking in the Especially for You event the year the shirts were deep purple. The idea of helping other women fight breast cancer really drew me in.  Plus, you got in some good exercise.

I continued participating nearly every year since then. My husband, Jim, usually stayed home or had coffee with his buddies while I walked.  In 1997, I finally convinced him that he just had to see all the women who were walking to help each other.   He agreed to find a place along the sidelines and watch.

I kept asking where he planned to stand.  Not having seen the race, he assured me he would find me with no problem.  Needless to say, he saw a lot of women he knew walking, but not his wife.

The next year, I was treated for breast cancer.  Luckily, it was early enough in the year that I was able to do the Especially for You event.  This time, Jim told me where he would be standing so I could find him and he could find me.

My walking buddy and I were heading down Second Avenue and sure enough, there he was, standing by his car, all alone in a parking lot.  I shouted at him so he knew it was me walking by.

That's when I saw him reach up and brush away tears. Jim died of lung cancer the following March.

The Especially for You Women’s Race Against Breast Cancer is special to me because in 1990 I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  At that time I went through six months of chemotherapy.

So then in 1991, when the first race for Especially for You Women’s Race Against Breast Cancer began, I knew that I wanted to get involved. So from 1991 through 1998 I walked for the race and also did volunteer work before the race.

But, in the early part of 1999 my cancer had recurred. It had metastasis to the bone. So I had to go back on treatments which I’ve been on since.

From that point on I knew that I would no longer be able to walk in the race. But, that didn’t stop me from volunteering for it or making a contribution for women who could not afford mammograms.

I might never win the fight with cancer. But I’ve fought a good fight, run the race. Even if I don’t win, I know one thing for sure. In God’s eyes there are no losers.

This is my first race; see I just found out in June of 2005 that I had breast cancer. In July I had a mastectomy and now I’m in the middle of chemo. I work for Frontier Natural Brands in Norway, well they have been sending by bulletins in the mail, I saw the article about the walk and I registered. Well, I said something to my family and now I have 11 family members walking with me.

When I found out that I had cancer there were people who had no idea I had cancer. Even now when people see me without hair they ask if I have cancer. I say yes and they hug me and tell me that they are praying for me.  I’ve never been so scared, so joyed, felt so loved. I sure couldn’t repay those people back so I’ll keep talking to everyone and get checked. Check yourself, don’t ignore it. I found my lump myself so I really preach to my daughter, family and friends.

I found my Dr. and his family will be participating in the walk. My husband is concerned with me walking because that week I have my star appointment on Mon. Sept. 26th , chemo on Tues. My shot on Wed. and surgery on Friday. I have been praying for God to keep me strong both mentally and physically thru everything and I’ve been trying to keep my family positive. I said we’re going to get through this together. I’m not giving up and I don’t want any of you giving up!

My doctor, Dr. Fusselman, told me there would be wheel chairs there and that if I needed he would be glad to push my wheel chair. Wow, that’s from a doctor. That’s an honor. My dad has emphysema and here this week he told me he had been walking up and down his street to practice so he could walk with me and then he saw the news and saw how many people walk in this and he said he couldn’t do it. I told him that was OK. I understood but I’m so proud and honored for him trying to do this for me because I know how hard even that task is for him. I’m so blessed with a terrific supporting family and friends and even supporters that don’t know me so for that and many other blessings, Thank God.