I went over the edge last year for Gilda's Club and while it was terrifying, I'm doing it again.  Why, you ask?  Because everyday, people in our world face terrifying cancer diagnoses, treatment and doing it alone is not good.  As someone who has had the support of Gilda's Club while facing the darkest of days, I will face my fears and do daring things to support them so they can bring Gilda's message of love and laughter to others facing difficult times on their cancer journey. 

When Mike was diagnosed with Leukemia and Lymphoma three years ago, life as we knew it stopped and all my focus and attention shifted to him.  100% of my focus, 110% of the time.  Don't get me wrong, I would have given anything if it meant he would recover.  But I was exhausted, scared and lonely.  I knew about Gilda's Club just from being around but decided to look into it further.  I went to orientation and was greeted with open arms.  The dinner before group sessions on Tuesday nights was awesome- if nothing else, it was one less meal we needed to worry about planning and preparing at home which was a huge relief.  Plus, we got to know some fun people! I  found a home in David's Tuesday night support group where I was greeted with warmth and shed many tears in that safe space with other care givers who knew what it was like to be in the place I was in.  

We are one of the lucky families.  Mike has overcome many of the challenges he faced at that time and stays strong and while I haven't been present in David's group for a long time now, knowing they are there if ever I need them means the world to me.  In the meantime, it's up to me, and the others who can, to support keeping Gilda's Club available to families who need them and THAT is why on May 20, I will rappel down 18 stories at the Hyatt in downtown Louisville.  Please join me in sharing what you can with the amazing people at Gilda's!