Cure JM

Saturday Mark and I worked at a benefit to cure JM: Juvenile Myositis. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells and tissues. This rare disease affects approximately 5,000 children in the United States, and it can attack almost all systems of the body.

While volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House one day I met Damon, who also works at Intel: his son Mason has JM, and Damon helped bring this amazing event to being. Mark and I were very proud to help.

Dutch Brothers was also proud to help. They have also done great things for Relay: I adore Dutch Brothers.

The stage set up was perfect.

And because of so many Relays there, I have a soft spot in my heart for Hillsboro Stadium.

Mark and I picked up our shirts and prepared to take tickets. Not by force, I promise!

There were many acts, with two young ladies the head liners. This young woman is Jessica: she is 19 and is from San Diego. She wrote a song titled 'Miracle', and she dedicated it to Mason. It is a lovely song, and her song inspired the concert. In everything I saw about this young woman she is kind and sweet and talented. She spoke to everyone who wanted to meet her, and I was impressed by her kindness. Here she's performing with a local HS choir.

I missed most of Jessica's singing due to working, but glad I ran out and took a few pictures. But what I heard while I was taking tickets was pretty darn good!

The other head liner was Savannah, a 16 year old from Hillsboro. She is also very talented (and sweet and kind), and has sung the national anthem for teams such as the Oakland Raiders, LA Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, and the Portland Beavers. She's quite a star on YouTube and from what I saw and heard I can see why. She was amazing on stage, and she gives quite a show.

Many celebrities making the rounds. Elmo was quite a hit with the ladies. The woman in red was in charge of us ticket takers and she was wonderful. And the gal in blue was one of our fellow ticket takers and she was a blast to hang out with.

Here's Mickey, working the crowd.

You rock Mickey!

There were vendors, selling a bit of this and that.

A very important message. I want to see it come true.

Here's Mark manning his post (while I goof off). Oh well, he's used to it.

These are some of the nicest folks you'd ever want to meet.

They had us cracking up. I gather one gentleman was leaving the stadium, talking on his cell phone, and he literally 'bounced back' off of the turnstile (it wouldn't turn the way he was going). Mark and I weren't there for that, but I guess these three young ladies burst into laughter when it happened, especially when they realized he was hardly fazed by what happened. In fact, they figure he wasn't even aware anything had happened. Man, I would have loved to have seen that!
Portraits were being done. Saw this while I was goofing off.

Great idea. I really liked this.

Rock Star: they're everywhere!

Some lovely ladies from Fred Meyers. They're so good about helping out in the community.

Hey Mickey, I already told you you rock! You're the man.

Oh, you're the mouse. That's it. Sorry about buddy.

When we asked if we could take their picture with Jessica (second from the left) these young ladies were THRILLED. They were so excited. Good to see these young ladies admire someone who is decent and worth admiring. That was worth the price of admission right there folks.

Elmo was back at it, making friends. This little guy was too darn cute.

Damon got up on the stage and talked about Mason. He spoke from the heart and I'll tell you, that means more to people than anything.

Savannah sang a song for all the families affected by JM.

Okay, I confess: I fell in LOVE with this little guy, from the moment he walked into the stadium. He kept waving at someone in the crowd and I just adore him. Don't you?

Jessica sang a song to Mason. Two very special folks here people. We're lucky folks like them are here and we get to know them and have them in our lives.

Family is what it's all about. I'm sure you can ask Damon and his wife what's important, and they'll be able to tell you.

Mason is the light of his parent's eyes, and I hope that they continue to give us opportunities to raise money to fight JM. Relay has given me the chance to raise money for cancer research, and that makes me feel like I'm doing something for my mom (love you). I'd like to continue to help raise money for Mason, and the other children whose lives are affected by JM.