Pictured above:  Christy and Bob Savakinas, Barb and Sal Sciandra, Jeanna and Mark Mihalka, and Amy and Joe Mihalka.  These very kind individuals planned an extremely successful mixer, golf tournament, and dinner this past weekend.  Right now, over $10,000 has been raised for breast cancer awareness.  Something that Sal and I forgot to mention over the weekend is this.  Every year, Liberty Tax plans events to raise money for a different cause.  No one is forcing them to do this.  They do this out of kindness and the desire to better our community.  Bob and Christy, Jeanna and Mark, and Amy and Joe choose to give their time to make a difference.  When most of us were laying on the couch after a long day, these six individuals were on the phone, e-mailing, and setting up various websites to organize these events.  It’s not easy – they all work and have children.  I wanted to personally thank them for everything that they’ve done to help raise awareness for breast cancer.  Because you’ve made a difference, you are giving me the opportunity to make a difference.

It’s been a very hectic couple of days.  Here is the run-down.  Sal and I attended the mixer on Friday night.  It was great reconnecting with old friends and it was so much fun hanging out with new friends.  We got to meet a few women who have very personal stories that they were kind enough to share with us.  Chase got the stomach bug from Friday night into Saturday morning so I had to miss the golf tournament.  I spent Saturday morning and afternoon cleaning Chase’s room, washing his sheets, and Cloroxing his bathroom.  I was really disappointed that I had to miss the tournament.  Chase took a 3 hour nap on Saturday afternoon and woke up like a new kid!  I got the 3 kids ready and we headed to the dinner which was very nice.  Chase only threw up once at the dinner – probably because he was running around like a nut with the other kids!  Needless to say, I’m definitely not winning the mother of the year award for this past weekend!  On Sunday, we straightened our house and headed up to Sal’s parents house for a few hours.  On Sunday night, Sal and I went out for a little while to cool the jets.  We met up with his sister, Audra, and her husband, Mark at a local restaurant.  Yesterday, we hosted 55 people at our house to celebrate Cameron’s first birthday (which is actually tomorrow).  I’ll post pictures of Cameron very soon.  We’re all tired!!

 

I’m not sure what happened to me over the years.  I developed a fear of public speaking.  I admire people that are able to stand up and speak off the cuff.  If I don’t have everything written on a sheet of paper I blank!  You can ask my sister what happened to me on the morning of my bridal shower!  The following is what I said on Friday, May 24, 2013 at the Brickhouse Mixer sponsored by Liberty Tax.

 

I didn’t want to come here tonight reading from a scripted sheet of paper like a robot but I also didn’t want to forget anything so please bear with me.

If my sister, Ann, was here tonight she’d tell that you there are 2 things that I really dislike.  Number one:  I don’t like surprises and Number two:  I don’t like attention drawn to myself.  This past year has been filled with both!

I’d like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, Liberty Tax – namely Mark and Joe Mihalka – as well as Jeanna and Amy Mihalka and Bob and Christy Savakinas – for organizing tonight and tomorrow’s events.  I wanted to thank my family – my husband, Sal, and my children, Jameson, Chase, and Cameron, my Mom, my sister, my aunts, uncles, cousins, my in-laws,  my health care providers, my Holy Rosary family, my friends – both old and new, my community, and all of my supporters.  The kindness and generosity bestowed upon us from each and every one of you has been overwhelming.  I need to thank my friend, Katie Murphy.  I know that she’s sick of hearing it, but if it wasn’t for Katie, I’m not sure if I would be standing up here – healthy – tonight.  I’m also pretty sure that Katie is responsible for Sal and I talking on the phone for the first time way back in 1992 so we’re having a mural of her painted in our family room!

I know that it sounds crazy but this past year has been a blessing – truly.  We extended our family by one beautiful, healthy baby girl and our lives have been given a new purpose filled with a fresh perspective.  It stinks that it’s taken a cancer diagnosis for this to happen, but it’s happened nonetheless.

Many people have asked why we, The Sciandra Family, aren’t keeping the money that is being generated from these fundraisers.  “Everyone can use extra money,” is what I’ve been hearing.  While this is true, money in our personal bank account and paying our own bills isn’t helping those that can’t help themselves and it’s not bring us closer to finding a cure for cancer.  What I’m hoping is that all of you here tonight are witnessing the start of a new non-profit organization.  Breast cancer affects 1 out of 8 women but hopefully this won’t hold true for much longer.  It is my wish that the money being raised tonight and tomorrow will go towards something bigger than all of us – a world where cancer is no longer feared because it no longer exists.

I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to ask this of all of you, considering we’re in a bar, but at our children’s school, we start and end everything in prayer.  So, please join me in asking Mary, the Mother of the Rosary, for guidance in setting up an impactful nonprofit organization, for keeping those of us gathered here – both present and in spirit – health and safety, and for helping us to find a cure for cancer.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Hail Mary,

Full of Grace,

The Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou among women,

and blessed is the fruit  of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God,

pray for us sinners now,

and at the hour of death. Amen.

 

Thank you all for everything.  Enjoy your evening.  LIVESTRONG and God Bless!

 

If you feel inclined to donate, there is still time.  The following website will be active until Saturday, June 1.  http://www.donationto.com/Liberty-Tax-Barb-Sciandra-Fundraiser

 

More pictures from the mixer, tournament, dinner, and Cameron’s first birthday party will be posted soon.  Think Pink, Wear Pink and a Patient’s Perspective posts are coming soon!  LIVESTRONG and God Bless!