on my way

[LAURIE]

I am on my way to the LIVESTRONG conference. I will be meeting up with with Maria and Brenda. I am so excited to finally meet someone from the board. I will give a full update when I get back. Tonight we see Lance, Paula Zahn and John McCain. I think you can see updates on the LIVESTRONG site. Of course we will representing our Her2 group with our spirit, energy, compassion, brains and our Her2 buttons too.

[Becky]

Have a great time.

[juanita]

have a good, safe time!

[Joan M]

Laurie, Enjoy! Joan

[Paty]

Laurie,

Have a great time and, once you have info and pictures, please share them with us.

Paty

[hutchibk]

We went to dinner tonight in German Village (Schmidt's German Restaurant) with Laurie and her truly sweet and lovely parents, who are here with her... it was wonderful. It was me, Laurie and Maria ~ I love meeting all the HER2 girls in person!

The townhall the other night was good, but perhaps a little fluffy. Harold Freeman from Ralph Lauren Cancer Center gave the afternoon address today. Interesting, but I took notes and want to research some of his numbers and figures that he mentioned. Sounded more like talking points than real facts... so I will do my own research before I determine if I am a proponent of his point of view. Very eloquent and impressive speaker, though.

See you all soon!

[harrie]

Have a great trip!!

[mts]

Bringing this one back up ---

It was a true pleasure meeting Brenda and Laurie... and of course Laurie's lovely folks. Her dad is a hoot and her mom a wonderful lady with a beautiful smile.

For me, the biggest "take-away" from the conference is that our votes in any election are very important in the cause to find a cure for cancer. Period.
The goal is to make cancer a national issue and to use our collective vote to help elect the candidate that BEST represents our cause.
No support was provided to any specific candidate- since its up to the voter to figure out the record of any candidate...
Every minute, an American dies of cancer... 1500 a day...560,000 a year.
Over 12M people are living with cancer. Of those people there are countless family, friends and others that contend with it as well.
So, with those stats, how can any candidate ignore us ?

Maria

[hutchibk]

Here is the overview that I took away from the Summit:

Vote Yellow to Make Cancer a National Priority. Please vote for the candidates who understand and champion the serious issues of Cancer Survivorship. The candidates for Congress and President who will support increased funding for the NCI, and all candidates locally and nationally who will champion legislation and public policy which serves to protect all Cancer Survivors. To protect them financially, protect their insurability, increase their access to life-saving/lengthening drugs, offer wider access to clinical trials, streamline the clinical trial process, and simplify/guarantee affordable access to screening and treatment for all Americans. Inspire and persuade all other candidates to embrace the seriousness of this issue... VOTE YELLOW!

[hutchibk]

Sure missed seeing you again before it was all over Maria! It was great meeting you... hope to see you again soon. Can you message me that DOD info? Thanks!