Chapter 4: A. Love. Story.
It has been several months since we have written an update, and I am drowning in guilt at the tardiness of this note.
We hosted a fundraiser….no, we threw an EPIC bash. Along with Lori Larson-Heller and Lynn and Gino Giovannelli, we held the first annual gala: A. Love. Story….Where Love and Science Come Together. This was funded, and proceeds went entirely to ALS-TDI, our science family…..and we SET RECORDS! A. Love. Story raised over $700,000 and was the largest fundraiser in ALS-TDI history.
I share this because there are so many amazing people we want to thank :
Aerin Medical, my employer. We live in a day and age where performance is quantifiably managed, and I have not been in a position to effectively cover my four state territory for the past year. Aerin has not only supported me through this, but also created a new role for me, sponsored our gala at a very high level, and flew 14 people (including all of executive leadership) in to attend the gala in support. This support isn’t required, it’s not expected, but it’s there, and I am endlessly grateful.
Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., Kevin’s employer. Kevin’s CSI family sponsored our gala at a high level amid an acquisition by Abbott. They hosted a retirement party for him at a Twins game and have continued to support him through this journey. He is truly honored to have worked with this group of people.
To a few of our friends who committed their own companies to sponsorships:
CBRE – thank you John Lorence and Judd Welliver
Ryan Companies – thank you Peter Fitzgerald and Tony Barranco
Amwins – thank you Justin Joyce
Remax – Rob and Colleen Langford (double thanks for being on our committee!)
All of our other sponsors: Luther Auto, Rob and Sharon Link, Jim and Nancy Joyce, Jan Gillam (my mom), Mike and Joan Geraghty (Kevin’s parents), OBGYN West, and Piper Sandler. Thank you for your generosity.
There were 16 more sponsors that were secured by others….thank you all of you.
I asked five people to join our committee when planning this event. I have to be honest…I don’t even know what all they did. I know I showed up Friday morning to the most beautiful venue, with the most stunning flowers and decorations, and the most perfectly executed program, dinner, live auction, band, dance, and party I have ever attended. Our entire committee was amazing, but to my five gals: Becky Wemer, Jane Knudsvig, Betsy Joyce, Colleen Langford, and Kaley Schliep: I am in awe of you all and grateful for your selfless commitment to this event.
Words cannot express our love and thanks to our friends and family who not only attended but also donated hundreds and thousands of dollars. An extra special thank you to our friends who traveled from all over: California, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Washington DC, Arizona, and across the pond in the UK.
Finally, one more thank you: to ALS-TDI. Fernando Viera, Carol Hamilton, and Kevin Sweeney: you showed up for us and changed many lives this night. It took you 5 minutes to make believers of Kevin and me…and even less time to enchant the 625 people who attended A. Love. Story. We know that you (and your team who is too large to mention all….but hi Michelle Dupree, Chelsea Blanda, Glynnis Murray, Nadia Sethi, Mike Shannon, and everyone we missed, including the selfless and brilliant scientists) are making a huge difference in the ALS community just as you have made an enormous difference in our lives. We love you; we support you; we thank you.
There is always something new to share as this disease is like a gut punch with every change. We will update more soon, but we really wanted to make this post about gratitude.
Thank you all.
