A Celebration of Cancer Survivors

http://www.makingcancerhistorycampaign.org/
On Feb. 18, I had the opportunity to work at an M. D. Anderson event honoring cancer patients everywhere -- celebrating with those who survived their cancer and mourning with family and friends of those who did not.

The evening's purpose was to thank the philanthropic donors who have made a difference in the lives of our patients and announce that M. D. Anderson is raising $1 billion to continue that work. Although the celebration thanked donors, the focus was not on the donors themselves, but rather the reason behind the gifts. Testimony after testimony was given -- some planned, others not. From Jeff Wigbels, a non-smoking athlete who learned he had stage IV metastatic lung cancer the day before his son was born, to "America's Got Talent" lymphoma survivor Barbara Padilla, whose operatic voice brought down the house, there was not a dry eye in the room.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• MD Anderson
• Making Cancer History
• Fundraising
• cancer
• donation
• Barbara Padilla
• America's Got Talent
• Jeff Wigbels

[zucchini2007]

Thank GOD for this medical institution! They have helped save so many lives, including Barbara Padilla. She was absolutely fantastic on AGT, I became a huge fan of hers since I saw her walking out in that little, white summer dress for the audition. And now she's about to release a debut album.