Run J9, Run!: J9 Raises nearly $2800 for LLS in a Single Day!!

On June 20th, I hosted the 2nd Annual Waits-Mast Cellars Wine Tasting Event to benefit the Leukemia and Lyphoma Society (LLS) with great success!! With the help of 40 guests, I raised nearly $2800 in a single day. Guests enjoyed pinots from Waits-Mast Cellars while noshing on hard to find Italian Cheeses from A.G. Ferrari in Los Altos such as Trugole wrapped in speck, Gorgonzola Dolce with a dollop of carmelized red onion, and others with fig jam, apricots, pears, and ohhhh the chocolate cake with Starbucks coffee. Then there was the silent auction table --- TWO Crushpad Fuseboxes, massage from Sports Medicine Institute, season tickets to Renegade Theatre Experiement's 09-10 Season, AND cheese and wine tasting for TEN at A.G. Ferrari in Los Altos!!

Honoree and marathoner Keith Newman (see Keith below smiling with sunglasses) spoke to the crowd under my umbrelled garden, thanking them for enjoying the afternoon together while raising money for such an important cause. In April 2008, Keith was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma - for which there is no cure. LLS is helping to find a cure and to assist blood cancer patients and their families. Currently, Keith is training for TWO marathons 6 weeks apart. I asked Keith if he had ever run two back to back marathons before. He casually replied, "No. But I never had cancer before either."

I am once again astounded by the generosity of family, friends, and acquaintenances. Even in these challenging economic times, people are willing to give. Keith reminded me what I witnessed last season and am witnessing once again, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Thank you for your donations --- small amounts add up to big research dollars which makes life more livable for blood cancer patients and bring us that much closer to a cure.

GO TEAM!