Cancergrace.org FUNdraising party a huge success!!

At least on my terms.  It rained like crazy that evening.  The event was held behind Hale's Ales in The Palladium, a huge echoing cement warehouse, just perfect for a nine piece rock band.  The fellow at the front door told people to follow the yellow brick road around to the back to the fun, but the rain was so prolific that the yellow brick road was under water at several parts.  So huge kudos to the more than 150 people who turned out and who donated almost $4,000 to cancergrace that evening!! Folks from the AG's office, the prosecutor's office, cancergrace, the View Ridge Swim and Tennis Club, my book group, my church, and just dear, dear friends all came to celebrate and contribute.

Here are some pictures taken by Laya, a cancergrace moderator from Los Angeles,  who flew up from Los Angeles to be present. 

Rusty Fallis, AAG, addresses the crowd prior to starting the show (Dan Satterberg is far left)

The Approximations were a fabulous rock band. I can't tell you how many people told me that they were the best band they'd heard lately! Thanks so much to them for making it an evening to remember.  My daughter even coaxed me out onto the dance floor where I relived ancient history in my cowboy boots.

But it was Dr. Jack West who was the star of the show:

My daughter introduced Dr. West, as Rob McKenna was a no show, probably due to the weather.  Dr. West spoke about his idea of educating cancer patients so that they could get the best care possible and how world class hospitals and clinics, like we have in Seattle, are not available to everyone.

http://www.cancergrace.org/ gets 20,000 hits a month from over 100 countries around the world.  It's a continuing presence in many peoples' lives and it has made a significant difference in the quality of their lives.  All for free.  All on the internet, available to anyone.

As of Saturday night, we had raised almost $4,000 but I heard that there were checks at the office for me today.  Since I was in chemo Monday, I will pick them up on Tuesday.  Here's hoping we can get close to $5,000 for a very worthy cause.  And thanks to those who came and who contributed even if they could not attend.  And special thanks to Kathleen Hale and Hales Ales for their help.  Blessings to all of you.

There are more pictures at:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/54733873@N04/with/5070852096/