Highlights from Last Year…

Honorary Chairperson

It is to my surprise and pleasure to be asked to be the Honorary Chairperson for Mardi Bras and Boxers for 2013. Like so many other people in our community, my life is filled with family members and friends who have lost their battle to Cancer. I am blessed to have many who have survived and been able to help along the way. My interest in fundraising started with my Grandson Evan, he is the reason I Relay. He was 14 months old when he was diagnosed with Severe Aplastic Anemia which is a form of Cancer and bone marrow failure. I spent 8 weeks in the terminal ward at All Children’s Hospital and watched as these young people lost their lives to this disease. Back home my friends and community came together and did a bone marrow drive, fundraised, and moved mountains to help save my Grandson. He is 15 now and there isn’t a day that I don’t remember that you only get blessings in life when you give them back. I’m sure you all have experienced asking yourself “why me and my family God”. I believe the answer is so we can better understand what is expected of us in this world. It is to give, to do and to make a difference in my community and in people’s lives any way we can. I went to my first Relay for Life meeting and met ACS staff in 1998 in Fort Myers, I was forever changed and knew it was a challenge for me to bring this event and organization to Cape Coral. I was also a sitting Councilmember which gave me visibility and extra help to jumpstart the event in the community that has my heart. I started the Cape Coral Relay along with a co-chair Cheryl Leftwich.

So I Relay, I fundraise and I give back, because I don’t know when the next time I will need someone to give me the gift of their time, their talents and their fundraising to save another life.

Thank you for the opportunity to be the Honorary Chair, it is a blessing I will cherish.

Classic Rock, Funk & Groove , Rocker returns for their 2nd year of revelry with Mardi Bras & Boxers