06 May 2007: Kathy and I attended the 2nd annual Celebration of Life event, hosted by the Legacy Brain Foundation at the elegant Warwick Melrose Hotel in Dallas. Seven year survivor ML Dubay and neuro oncologist Virginia Stark-Vance, MD (two members
of the LBF board) moderated the event. Here they are introducing neurosurgeon Martin L. Lazar, MD, who then presented
pins to 5 year survivors and 10 year surviors in attendance.
I was totally caught off guard when I was given the Foundation's 2007 Spirit Award. Mary Lee Houghton, another LBF Board member, presented the keepsake to me, throughly enjoying my surprise, as was Kathy when she snapped this picture.
When asked to say a few words, all I could think of was: (1) thank-you (2) I am surprised and (3) I am humbled to be in a room of brain tumor survivors of 7 years, 10 years and 21 years. I am the new kid on the block. At the first applause, I again thanked everyone and returned to my seat amidst the grins of the people in the immediate vacinity.
As best as I can remember, this is the first award I have received publically
since I won work boots while attending a real estate class at Sears in the early 1980s.
Lunch was then served and I took the opportunity to visit with our special guest, David M. Bailey.
David is an easy person to talk to..
David is a 10 year gbm brain tumor survivor whose ministry is to speak hope and perspective into your heart.
I first met this self-styled "hippie folk singer" in May of 2004 at a concert in Plano. David says his typical gig is 20 to 200 people.
David has a talent for knocking off the sharp edges of life using a cocktail of scriptures, humor and music.
Shake well and serve with conviction and passion.
It was my great honor to meet Justin and Rachel after the concert.
Two of the sweetest people you will ever see, whom I hope to see again soon.
It would be a travesty to fail to thank the LBF for this event, and medical angels such as Natasha who dispense
care and compassion to brain tumor patients everyday. May God bless you!