Dear All. ..

It's been awhile since I sent any comments or thoughts . . .but, just
this morning I was approached by a co-worker, a lovely young woman,
who told me about her young cousin, living back in her home country
of El Salvador who was just diagnosed with an extremely rare form of
leukemia. .. And was given "no hope". I had the same chill I always
get when I hear that the monster has struck again, especially someone
who is young and has yet to live life. . He's only 12 years old.

I told her the story of Jim (read Special Day under the thoughts on
the Cancer Survivors Gathering Place website for his story). She
smiled. . And wanted to know more. . She knows my story. . There are
two others who work here who are also survivors. . Seems to me that
there are more survivors these days and that's a good thing. Places
like this website. . Have grown. . And spreads the word that
surviving is a part of this life. . And there are more and more. .
Cures. . More and more. . Possibilities out there.

I once again want to say THANK YOU to our Jim. . . And to Chuck and
to all the folks who had and have and continue to have a part of his
place. . Needless to say I steered her to the website. . And to the
list of links to search for help. . . She wept. . And will follow up
on any and all leads she can find.

I ask any who read this to send healing thoughts to Raoul. . . And to
his family as they search for answers to the why's and the why
me's . . And I again am sending my deep gratitude to those who keep
fighting. . And searching for a cure. . We WILL WIN. . Each minute,
each hour, each day. . Of life. . Will be lived with joy. . . And
anticipation. I will celebrate 14 years of surviving in February next
year.. . . the miracle of living each day. . Thanks Jim, Chuck,
Marla, Anne, Nancy, Syl, and all the others I've met, heard from via
email, telephone, snail mail, thoughts. . Etc.

Thanks for the opportunity. . To share my thoughts. . . THANK YOU!!!!

Lots of Love from my house to yours. . .
Evie, aka Evelyn. . . GrammE . .. The Joisey Gurl

PS. . before I had a chance to post this note, the woman came back
to me this afternoon with a huge smile. . . one of the links on the
website gave her lead after lead to help bring her young cousin to
the US for treatment, yet another one helped her connect with a
hospital AND doctor right here in NJ . .. She couldn't contain her
joy . . she and her husband have already started the process of
sponsoring him and making arrangements for him to travel here as soon
as possible. A miracle. . yet again. . .
goooooooo SURVIVORS. . .. . goooooooooooooooo