Weekend Recap

This weekend was busy to say the least! Spent Friday in California celebrating that my aunt Fran Bio finished her treatment for breast cancer... What a wonderful ladies lunch for such a great occasion! Saturday I woke up extra early to get some last minute things for my mom's surprise 50th bday party later that afternoon. 8am the Kennedy's were off to the MS Walk in San Jose where about 20 of my mom's friends came out to support her fight against MS. Congratulations, Mom, for being the top fundraiser with over $12k! She threw herself her own birthday party as we crossed the finish line, complete with a princess cake that said "Fifty is Nifty" and goodie bags for all... the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, aye? I dragged her to the old lady shoe store in downtown Los Altos in attempt to find Vegan Shoes, but really it was all a plot to get her to Aldo's for her surprise birthday luncheon! What a fantastic event- so good to see all my friends from high school and grade school. And how cute is this, my bestest guy friend growing up (next door neighbor) is now engaged to our best girlfriend from growing up (they always dated each others friends, never each other). They'll be married next July but the real icing on the cake is that apparently they have videos and pictures of the two of them walking down the aisle in second grade making their first communion! Some things are just meant to be!

Took the red eye back Saturday night and landed Sunday just in time for the Brunch with the Bayhawks at Velocity Five. Thanks again to everyone who came out- the kids loved the players! It was adorable! Followed that up by watching Ironman (okay, I slept through it) and enjoying the waterfront with Chris Gale who is back in town... stay tuned for plans to take a party bus to Waldorf!

Happy Monday everyone!

Paying for Parking at Hospitals

Venting: I have never understood why hospital parking lots charge for parking- especially so much & by the hour. I would be far less opposed to paid parking if the money was going back into the hospital to improve facilities, programming, and research- but the parking lot at the National Children's Health Center is run by Colonial Parking. Essentially, these companies are profiting from other people's enduring pain. I have worked with dozens of families that have had to go above & beyond to cover medical expenses- selling their homes, getting second jobs, etc. Even with insurance, going through a cycle of chemo is very expensive, why add the additional burden of an extra $10 every visit? It adds up.

Now this is a completely uneducated musing based on my own experiences as a volunteer, a patient, and visitor, but would love some clarification as to why people who are faced with such serious dispositions have to pay to park. Maybe we should start raising money to pay for the parking of those patients that cannot afford it? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Re-Mission: Cancer is not a game

I find myself stabbed with a double edged sword with this one. Re-mission is a game for cancer patients in their teens and twenties that provides them with an entertaining platform to get the facts on their health crisis. While I think the ingenuity that went in to addressing the target audience is brilliant from a marketing perspective, I just don't think cancer is a game. Re-mission does provide a wonderful opportunity for teens battling cancer to go online anonymously and talk in the forums about what they are going through- it helps them understand they are not alone in their suffering and maybe meet other teens who are in remission and have hope for a healthy future. Hope Lab hopes to help: "players to increase their personal knowledge about cancer and improve their confidence in their ability to manage their cancer." I think it is a great idea I just don't know- what do you guys think? Is it trivializing a serious issue?

Mason's Super Stars

This morning I had the opportunity to go with the Leach Family to the Children's National Medical Center in celebration of Mason's Super Stars. After Mason passed away last fall, his family remained committed to the hospital and has been raising money to purchase televisions and video game consoles for the children to play with as they undergo chemo in the new Pediatric Oncology wing!Already, the fund has raised over $10,000, but still needs your support...

Edy's Ice Cream kindly donated to Mason's Super Stars so Mateo, Mason's older brother, and I went around the hospital both on the floor and in the clinic offering Scooby Doo push pops, ice cream sandwiches and a bunch of other treats to the patients. When undergoing chemo, it is typical to get mouth sores, so the ice cream really brings a smile to the children's faces and soothes their pain. We also handed out workbooks donated by the Redskins, a variety of prizes like pencils, player's cards, notebooks, and more donated by DC United, and bracelets with inspirational messages on them to the patients. The strength and courage of these little guys really is empowering. Additionally, every month Mason's Super Stars awards Target gift cards to those patients who are celebrating a milestone or are in need of a pick-me-up. (Mason loved going to Target to pick out toys and things!)

I know I post a variety of charity events and causes, and while this one won't get you an open bar, I really urge you to donate to the fund so we can continue celebrating life in the memory of Mason. Cancer is serious. Childhood shouldn't be.

Donations can be made to:

Mason Leach’s Super Star Fund c/o Children’s National Medical Center

attn: Volunteer and Consumer Support Services

111 Michigan Avenue NW Washington, DC 20010.

Mason Leach Super Star Fund to benefit Children’s National Medical Center Hematology-Oncology Department

Mission: To encourage and empower patients to recognize their inner strength and feel like a “superstar”.

Goal 1: To honor Mason’s life through “superstar” activities that will promote strength and hope for each child

Goal 2: To provide opportunities for children to have choices and control

Goal 3: To promote family activities both at the hospital and at home

Goal 4: To supply funds to provide extras for the Hematology Oncology Department patients that may arise throughout the year.

Goal 5: To show appreciation to the staff that took excellent care of Mason and encourage excellence in family centered patient care

Goal 6: To encourage staff development and training about listening to the voice of children, especially younger children, and ways to empower them and increase their role in their own care.

These funds go directly to benefit patients and no operational costs will be allocated to this fund. Every penny affects a child’s life.

Hey Mom- Look! Bouncy Houses for Boozin

So every December 23rd, the annual Kennedy Christmas Extravaganza is held, complete with just about everyone in Silicon Valley- all of the area's execs my dad works with, my moms book club, and the friends of my brother and I who are all trying to get a job and talk to my dad's friends. There are chocolate fountains, champagne bars, live Sinatra bands, Caricture artists, and a piano man. There is also a bouncy house.

Now my mom claims it is for the kids, to tire them out so they'll go watch Christmas movies while all of the adults continue the party, but I think it's really for her book club- who after a few Pointsetta Champagne Cocktails, all end up there- Every. Single. Year.

A UK company, Amber Iris has now put the two together in their Inflatable Pubs! The UK company offers "The Firkin, Kilderkin, Barrel and Hogshead, all named after their beer containers. They cost about $10-30k each (to buy, not rent!)

Anyone care to play?

Inspire.com

Danielle Leach is a woman who has inspired me with her strength and fortitude beyond any imaginable way. I met her as she was the glue that held her family together while her son Mason, lost his battle with cancer which she shared with friends and family through his blog, keeping us posted no matter where in the world we were. Words don't do justice in expressing the respect I have for her, if you are ever lucky enough to be the recipient of one of her hugs, you'd understand. She possesses a contagious positive outlook and since first meeting her I have grown in awe of the grace she maintains through all trials and tribulations she has faced. She truly is inspiring...

This morning she sent me an invitation to join Inspire.com, a new venture she is working with that allows people to engage in support groups online and share new information, utilizing web in the best manner I can think of. Please take a few minutes to sign-up and invite friends who may be most comfortable to get support in the anonymity of the web, combined with the vast availability of knowledge. We all know someone afflicted by breast cancer, MS or mental illness. Sometimes we don't know the right thing to say, but at least Inspire.com can help point them in the right direction. The one thing I have learned about illness is that it affects more than just the person who got the results from the doctor- it affects your friends, family, employers, church groups, everyone. I have a feeling this may just change the world, and at the very least- inspire a lot of people who are looking for that flicker of inspiration somewhere in this vast world...

Thanks, Danielle!

Shockingly Offensive

So we didn't know how serious this flag football team actually was, but we did a heck of a job dominating the field this past Saturday! MVP goes to Chris Megaloudis for his amazing 50 yard (okay im making the distance up but it was awesome!) touch down!

Happy 95th Bday Pop-pop!

Being born on St. Patrick's day definitely blessed him with the luck of the Irish! At 95 years old, Pop-pop (Peter Joseph) Kennedy is still alive and kickin it... Literally.

This morning when I called, he challenged me to an arm wrestling match. His favorite thing to do is go to Polka dances, as all of the ladies melt over his sparkling blue eyes. The man doesn't take any pills and dances better than I do... and would probably actually beat me in that arm wrestling match. His secret? He drinks a scotch a day (maybe 3)... we've determined it preserves him like formaldehyde!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POP! Can't wait to celebrate your birthday AND your 65th anniversary this weekend!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!!!

Just a quick shout out to my incredible parents who are celebrating their 28th anniversary today! Love you guys!

Sebastian aka Baxter aka Little Devil

Last year while driving home from the patent office in Delaware, I got stuck in awful traffic on 95, so bad that I decided to pull over and look for somewhere to get a diet coke. I found a shopping center with nothing but a PetSmart. I went in for a soda, came out with the most adorable robo hamster Sebastian a.k.a Baxter a.k.a Lucifer a.k.a. taz. Baxter never took a particular liking to me, no matter that I spoiled him beyond belief even when he kept me up all night running around in his wheel. Although a great driving companion, he wasn't the most cuddly and just about every time i tried to get him to snuggle, he would get lost in my labyrinth of a closet and only the Hamster Whisperer could rescue the little guy. He is now with my cousins since I couldn't bring him to London- and fat and happy (weighing in at maybe two ounces, the thing is only two inches long- if that!) Anyways, the moral of this long story is his relatives have been banned from Vietnam and any pet owner can be charged as much as two times the yearly wage for having one! Crazy!