An amazing day....

Yesterday, March 22, was a great day for many many people. It was a great day for Chris and I, and our entire family, it was a great day for those impacted by and working to cure amyloidosis, it was a great day for an incredible community of supporters, and it was a great day for Stephen and Aislinn.

Stephen and Aislinn arrived home after a grueling 1500+ mile/15 day bike ride from Jacksonville, Fl. to Holliston, MA. It was a once in a lifetime experience for them and all those who participated. They had good days and tough days, they met many great people, they promoted awareness, and they raised a staggering amount of money. Every dollar they raised, over $40,000 and still climbing, is going directly to the Amyloidosis Research Foundation. All expenses were covered by sponsor support, or frequent flier points, or the generosity of hosting families, so not a single dollar raised will go anywhere but directly to research.

There was a crowd of over 100 people when Stephen and Aislinn arrived yesterday. Friends from Holliston, schoolmates,faculty, and staff from Worcester Academy, family from PA, NJ, NH, fellow patients, and leaders in the Amyloidosis community such as Mary O'Donnell and Dr. Comenzo, and fellow bike riders from MinuteMan Road Club. They were both stunned at the reception and had no idea how many supporters across the community they had.

Stephen and Ailsinn learned many valuable lessons that they will post in their blog when they catch their breath. The biggest lesson I think we all have learned has been the incredible generosity from so many. It is mind-numbing. In this economy, with so many people worried about their financial stability, their savings impacted, and their future unknown, the number of people who made a contribution was just incredible. Every single donation meant a great deal, whether it was $5 from a child to an incredibly large, and anonymous donation (I do not know who that was, but I pray you walk with a personal pride of your great generosity and contribution). The community that we live in, all of our friends, all of my colleagues at IBM, all of those who gave becuase they suffered or lost loved ones from this disease, all of those who gave in any way were incredibly generous. As I have posted many times, just as "it takes a village to raise a child", it takes a village, an extended community, to fight a disease. Chris so far is very fortunate, but others have lost loved ones to amyloidosis. A year ago the vast majority of us had never heard of this disease. Now we are battling it on many fronts, but with an incredible village of loving, caring, supportive, and generous people with us.

I am anxious to read Stephen's and Aislinn's postings, but I am also anxious to say THANK YOU to everyone who has helped with Chris's journey to health.

Thanks to all of you so very very much.