Happy Easter weekend everyone.  Maybe it’s our winter-like weather, but I’m struggling to work up the energy to do my weekend long runs, or work in our vegetable garden, or do much of anything.  I think it must be the post-HHH letdown.  (And Hannah’s upcoming MRI, and Ryan’s college decision, and, and, and…..)

I wanted to let you all know of a couple upcoming events this next month…..

Our wondeful music director at Grace Church, Ann Strickland, is putting together this concert TO BENEFIT DR. OLSON’S LAB:

Lloyd’s Garage
Rock and Roll on a School Night
From Napa with Love
Lloyd’s Garage is influenced by soulful hill-country blues, some southern rock for good measure, and throwback instrumentation that’s near-pure hommage to the uncomplicated rock of the late 60′s and early 70′s.  Though not so pure that they don’t dish up their own distinct brand of down and dirty musical grit!
Lloydsgarage.com

A Benefit Concert for the Jim Olson Cancer Research Lab at Children’s Hospital
A Hannah’s Hopeful Hearts Event
Tuesday, April 20, 6pm-9pm
Grace Church ~ All Ages

Special Musical Guests:  The Anthony Tripp Project and Free Truman!

I am so grateful for the continuing support of Jim’s Lab.  Our grand HHH total has exceeded $105K at last count!  The best part of Ann’s concert at Grace on April 20th is that I don’t have to do a thing but show up!

The other thing that’s opening this coming week on April 9th – although I’m not sure exactly where in our area – is the movie, “Letters to God”.  I’m truly looking forward to/dreading watching this movie, as it’s based on the true story of Tyler who had the same brain tumor as Hannah.  I’m dreading the cancer story part of the movie as it’s supposed to be very based in fact, but the fictionalized portion I hear is very HOPEFUL and inspiring.  If you’d like to watch the trailer for the movie, go to:

http://letterstogodthemovie.com

Dear Family, Friends and HHH Supporters,

With apologies to our Vicar who told me not to send out thank you’s anymore, THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO MAKE HANNAH’S HOPEFUL HEARTS SUCH A SUCCESSFUL EVENT!!!

Bill and I are still buzzing – and exhausted – from the energy and people (over 400!) that were at Grace Church Friday evening.  And for those who couldn’t be there, we know you were with us in spirit.

Not only was I happy with our great turnout, but I loved all the help we received in putting together HHH.  What an amazing team…Grace Church and its staff, Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Pink Polka Dot Guild, the caterers and food prep/beverage people, the setup crew, the decorators, the music, the donation volunteers, Glassybaby, our individual and business sponsors, ALL the teens and adult volunteers who came together to offer their time and talents.

I’m especially thankful for our speakers, Ed, Cheryl, Jim, Bill and John.  I loved what they said, how they wove their messages together, and how they inspired us.  I believe they too were touched by the outpouring of support.  Dr. Jim said, “Last night was one of the best of my life.  This work is tough and sometimes I need to feel some wind in my sails.”

I am so proud of the money that we raised for Jim’s lab – over $70,000 and still climbing!!!

Finally, I was so happy to see Hannah having a great time.  She was so energized by all the people AND EVERYTHING at the event that she didn’t go to bed until almost 1 am! Bill and I were also so happy that biggest brother Adam and his wife Alexis, made the trip out from NYC to be with Hannah and us.  It was for her and the kids with brain tumors that we created Hannah’s Hopeful Hearts.  Thank you for contributing to Hannah’s HOPE FOR A CURE.

Love, Reba

Hannah’s Hopeful Hearts
Friday, March 19, 2010, 7pm, Grace Church
Mark your calendars and tell your friends!

Please RSVP to hannahshopefulhearts@gmail.com

100% of Donations go to the Olson Lab in Seattle

In honor of Hannah Hunt, and countless other children and adults struggling with brain tumors, we are climbing mountains for a cure for brain cancer. Please plan to attend this evening at Grace Church, Bainbridge Island to raise funds for pediatric brain tumor research at Seattle Children’s Hospital. A reception, beginning at 7 pm precedes the guest speakers.

Ed Viesturs — Bainbridge Islander and America’s Leading High Altitude Mountaineer. Ed has climbed many of the world’s most challenging summits, including ascending Mount Everest seven times. He recently completed a 16-year quest to climb all 14 of the world’s highest mountains (above 8,000 meters) without the use of supplemental oxygen. In doing so, he became the first American and the 5th person in the world to accomplish this. He reached the summit of his 14th peak, Annapurna, on May 12, 2005.

Cheryl Broyles—Wildlife Biologist, Wife, Mother, Brain Cancer Survivor and author. At the age of 33 Cheryl was diagnosed with what is considered terminal cancer – a grade IV Glioblastoma Multiforme. Ten years later, she is still alive living in Oregon with a wonderful husband and two great sons. Her purpose in life now is encouraging others who are going through hard times in life, to see the blessings and never give up hope. Cheryl’s book, Life’s Mountains is an inspiring true story that climbs with Cheryl Broyles to the summit of California’s Mount Shasta and through the trial of “terminal” brain cancer.

Dr. Jim Olson —Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Olson Lab in Seattle. Dr. Olson found venom from the “death stalker scorpion” can illuminate brain cancer cells to assist surgeons in the operating room.  Dr. Olson hopes the ” tumor paint” will become commonplace in brain tumor surgery and the detection of all cancers. Another objective of the Olson lab is studying the causes and eventual cures of pediatric brain tumors, including medulloblastoma, Hannah’s tumor.  The Pink Polka Dots Guild, who will be helping with Hannah’s fundraiser is among several guilds that directly supports the Olson lab.

Hannah’s Hopeful Hearts
Friday, March 19, 2010, 7pm, Grace Church
Mark your calendars and tell your friends!

RECEPTION AND DINNER PROVIDED ~PLEASE RSVP TO:  hannahshopefulhearts@gmail.com

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND, DONATIONS MAY BE MADE TO:  www.firstgiving.com/hannahshopefulhearts

Thank You!  You are ALL HANNAH’S HOPEFUL HEARTS…..Love, Bill and Reba