Who is ready for a full circle moment? All right friends, preemptively, because I care about you- grab your tissues. Join in on a good, cleansing cry with me, because there are several heart strings at play here.
In the spring, I had the privilege of leading team Love & Light in fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). I campaigned in honor of my dear friend, Erin, who fought an incredible fight against two forms of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma through many years and a relapse.
Campaigns that raised over $150,000 were invited to the annual research gathering in New York. What an honor to attend as Iowa's Woman of the Year with other top national fundraisers. This was an incredibly powerful experience, as we met with researchers who are developing immunotherapy for blood cancers. The emotional impact of this gathering was profound, as researchers looked at us and shared that it is because of fundraising efforts that they can continue to research for a cure in this upcoming year.
This gathering came almost a year after I accepted my nomination to campaign as LLS's Woman of the Year, leading Team Love & Light, and two hours after I accepted, Erin called me, notifying me about her relapse. Our team qualified for a Top campaign Fundraiser Recognition opportunity. We were honored with the ability to name a specific mission area, meaning our fundraising efforts directly support "Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - Aggressive in Honor of Erin Barfels."
While in New York, a 20 year dream of mine was fulfilled. When I was a teen, my parents took my siblings and I to New York and we saw the Lion King. It has long since been a favorite broadway show of mine. And on that day 20 years ago, I knew if I ever had children, I wanted to bring them to see Lion King on Broadway in New York.
As "The Circle of Life" began to play, I took a deep breath and allowed myself to cry. Here I was, in New York in honor and memory of my dear friend Erin, who was taken by sickness too soon. The LLS campaign gave me the opportunity to sit alongside researchers hoping and working toward a better tomorrow. And nestled next to my kiddos at the Minksoff Theater, I got to watch as they experienced a beautiful show almost 20 years ago exactly that I saw it with my family. I was here because of Erin, and meanwhile I got to fulfill a lifelong dream- it felt like a hug from my friend.
I wanted to share this, because it's an ongoing part of my life journey I've been sharing with so many. I'm honored for the opportunity to share Erin's story and her impact. To bring recognition and funds to the incredible opportunity that is LLS. And to have dreams fulfilled along the way is part of the beauty and connectedness of life. Thank you, to all of you that supported Love & Light in the 2022 campaign- it is still bringing about profound impact for the families of those who have fought and are still fighting.
