I received this email several weeks ago and thought that I may share it with you all. I deleted the name but hope that she will step forward for her well deserved accolades:
"Hope this note finds you happy & well. I have been away from the site for far too long - life has been very busy with a multitude of blessings after finding my way back to NED, finishing chemo again (up to #91 this time) and marking my 6 year Cancerversary on May 17th.
I've also recently opened a Pilates studio here in Atlanta and am so thrilled to feel confident about pursuing goals beyond my next q12week PET Scan!
I know I share in my absolute heart break w/you and the rest of the Her2 family over Lolly's passing.
I logged off immediately after reading the news because my heart couldn't stand the shock & sadness.
However, I'd been planning to share some happy news with you, but was waiting for the right opportunity. It seems that time is now...
I doubt I've mentioned before that along with teaching Pilates, I'm also an actor.
I recently had the opportunity to play a very
small role ("Runner #3"
) in the Lifetime film, "Living Proof" starring Harry Connick, Jr. as Dr. Denny Slamon.
My scene was very simple, a re-enactment of the Revlon Walk in Los Angeles in 1998 & as "Runner #3"
I was to run up to "Dr. Slamon" (HCjr) & said "Thank You..."
To describe the day as I have above completely over simplifies the experience! Word spread on set that I was, not only a BC Survivor, but a 6 year,Stage IV, 91 rounds of chemo, liver-resection Her2+ Survivor (!!!) . I became a celebrity-for-the-day in my own right!
I mention this not to boast but to share with you that everyone from the crew-wardrobe/hair/makeup artists,etc to the actors including Mr.Harry Connick Jr, the director Dan Ireland, producers, Lifetime execs and the amazingly kind & compassionate screenwriter, Vivenne Radkoff, were inspired with re-newed passion for the project when a living, breathing,
thriving survivor & beneficiary of Dr. Slamon's incredible commitment to his research & discovery walked onto their set as true
living proof of the story they had all been working so hard to tell.
I thanked them profusely for bringing Dr. Slamon's story to television & sharing w/the world what such commitmment & a little/lot of money can do to profoundly change the lives of women walking in the
shadow of a serious disease.
The Director, Dan Ireland, took me aside & told me to throw out my scripted lines & improvise; say whatever it was I wanted to say to "Dr. Slamon"
When the cameras started rolling & it was my moment to approach "Dr. Slamon", I simply said,
"Thank you, Dr. Slamon...for fighting for us."
It is
exactly what I would have said to Dr. Slamon & hopefully will have the opportunity to do one day!
I felt like I was speaking for ALL of us.
For me, I could barely keep from crying all day! It was a surreal experience to "participate" in a day that celebrated the actual events that occurred in Dr. Slamon's life & work that would eventually lead to a drug called Herceptin being available to me when I would be diagnosed at 33years old with Stage IV disease, only 4 years later.
I am honored & blessed & infinitely grateful for the experience & opportunity.
With all that said, it is my plan to donate my "day rate" (salary for the day) to the Her2Support group,
in celebration of Dr. Slamon (ofcourse) , the work that you both do for all us, and now, in honor & memory of sweet Lolly.
When my agent heard that this was my intention, they offered to donate equal the amount of my day rate
to Her2Support on my behalf!
If I recall correctly, my I the rate for this project was SAG scale, ~$750 for the day.
(In fact, ALL the actors, including Mr. Harry Connick, Jr agreed to work under a "Favored Nations" clause & be paid SAG scale for their work!)
So, I just wanted to share this with you & I so look forward to offering you this small gift - small in comparison to the multitude of gifts of wisdom & courage & friendship & camaraderie & ultimate kindness you have shared with me through your efforts & all of my Her2Support family.
I would like to post something on the message board in the upcoming days, but thought I'd ask you for some direction. I hope I won't be perceived as show-boating, but rather, in a time when we've seen too much loss & are feeling scared & demoralized, a wave of light, love & celebration.
Thanks for allowing me to share this with you & will be in touch very soon,"