Hi! My name’s Virginia (Gin) Holmes and I’m
Blondie's stepsister, making me Aunt to BB and step-sister-in-law to
NotBlondeHusband.
I am trying to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk 2012! It is a great event where
people come together for one night and walk in support of those who’ve been
affected by Leukemia and Lymphoma spectrum diseases. Walkers carry lighted balloons at night in
order to celebrate the survivors and to honor those who have lost their battle.
Blondie was nice enough to give me an opportunity to reach out to all of you, in
the hope that we can raise some money for an organization that is so important
to my family and me!
In March of 2011, 6 weeks before my 24th
birthday, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkin Burkitt Lymphoma. Burkitt is a rare and aggressive form of
lymphoma that required me to be hospitalized all throughout my treatments. I would be in the hospital anywhere between
seven to ten days and then would spend a week or so at home recuperating before
going back in for another round of treatments.
All in all I spent 3 months in and out of
the hospital. I was blessed with amazing
doctors, as well as amazing friends and family, who helped me pull through.
Now I am happy to say that I’m healthy and
on June 1st, 2012 celebrated my 1st year of remission!
Last year, with a few close friends and
family members, I participated in the walk for the first time. This year, my boyfriend Andrew (who was and
still is the most amazing support to me) and I are looking to do more than just
participate and have hopes of raising $5,000.00—and we can use all the help we
can get!
If you would like to help us out and donate
go to visit our Team Page and click on “Donate to Team” (on the right)
and then put in the amount you wish to donate!
Drew, our wonderful dog Poncho (team mascot and therapy dog) and I thank you in advance for giving to our
team and for supporting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!
P.S. If you are around Cincinnati, Ohio on
October 11 and want to walk, come on down to Sawyer Point!
28 comments:
wow what an inspirational lady. thank you for sharing your courageous journey. And yay for being in remission! Wishing you lots of luck! xx
What a fun switch-up! Nice to "meet" Gin :)
Congrats to one year!
Hi Melaina..I am so sorry to hear about what you have been dealing with. I will definitely be donating and keep up the courage and strength..you are in my thoughts!
Sheree
xxx
www.itsnotthatdeep.com
Such a powerful story--thanks for sharing Gin with us.
What a powerful story. My family has unfortunately been affected by cancer more times than I'd like to count- including EXTREMELY recently to my 29 year old cousin. You never really think it can happen to your family. Wishing you all the best, and YAY on celebrating 1 year of remission! Wishing you all the best.
I was involved with the Relay for Life in law school and it was a pretty powerful experience. I wish you all the best and will definitely be donating to this amazing cause.
Tara
Penniless Socialite
Wow, what an inspiring story, so brave. I hope thet make their target! X
Glad your sister won her fight!
A friend's Mom just died of leukemia, here in Indonesia. This is a very worthy cause. Happy walking!
Your sister is so positive. Her story is inspiring and I am glad she shared it with us.
I'm so glad you're okay, Virginia! Thanks for sharing your story. And thanks to you, too, Melaina, for offering your blog to help.
I've participated in the Walk here in Seattle in memory of my best friend's mother. So glad you've reached one year in remission!
Gin, what an amazing woman you are! Congratulations on your one year anniversary. Here's to 100 more anniversaries in remission!!! ~Sarah
Lovely to hear your positive, uplifting story. Thanks for sharing & wishing you luck for the future.
So glad you are better now, Virginia! I hope you stay in remission! Thank you for sharing such an inspiring story of strength.
What an inspiring story! so glad to hear that you are in remission!!
xoxo, Nikki at Bedazzles After Dark
Thanks for sharing your story, Gin! It's nice randomly coming across a fellow Cincinnatian on a blog. I was born and raised there, but am now living in Los Angeles.
Ooh now I'm dying to know where you went to high school--that's such a Cincinnati thing isn't it? One of my other step-sisters, Gin's sister Emily, lives in LA now too :)
Thanks Anh!
Thank you Sarah x
Aww I wish I lived closer so I could participate. This is an amazing and inspiring story. Thank you for sharing it!! :)
I admire your step sister. She is so strong and beautiful too!
Glad to hear your sis is healthy again! ;)
I'm so happy to hear that you are doing well and what an amazing family and group of friends you have!!
What a lovely and positive story. Glad you are well again xx
Haha! That is such a Cincy thing! I went to Mercy.
I am an active supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and have participated in Light the Night for the past 2 years. My Dad was diagnosed with Leukemia in October 2009, and underwent a stem cell transplant in 2010. He is also a survivor!!! congrats! I need to start fundraising too!
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