After having a bit of a rough week, Diana, Max and I decided to go to New York to observe Yom Kippur with Phil and How and the family. The added bonus was that my Mom was there as well. We had an easy drive up on Saturday lunchtime and Saturday night we all went out together for dinner. Max and Luca stayed home and watched their favorite show on TV..........The Dog Whisperer!
Sunday morning Diana, Max and I went to Stamford Connecticut to visit Jack and Donna. We had a wonderful brunch with them and great conversations. But the visit was too short as we had to get back to New York in time for the beginning (start) of Yom Kippur. Early afternoon Diana managed to squeeze in a really good dance show thanks to Phil's connections. I managed to squeeze in a really good nap!
On Monday some went to services and some stayed home. Monday evening a couple of Phil and How's good friends and a few co-workers came to break the fast with all of us. After a quick but good, filling meal the three of us drove back to Baltimore. It was a fun and action packed weekend.
Carpe Diem.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Scan results
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Overall good news. The disease is still there (in the right pleura) but it has reduced in size and has not spread to anywhere else. This is good as it tells the doctors that the chemo is working for me at this time. I will discuss these results with Dr. Sidransky (MouseSkin Dr.) as well.
Am I cured? Hardly. Am I happy with the results? Yes, of course. As long as we can "manage " this disease I will be a happy chappy. We will see what the future brings and what the MouseSkins will tell us. Until then................
By the way, the Man U shirt with AIG on the front is a sponsorship arrangement. In no way do I support or condone AIG's business practices!
Carpe Diem
Monday, September 21, 2009
Scans today
I had my scans done first thing this morning and am awaiting the results!!! I've had a really bad stomach ache for the last 4-5 days. Hopefully, all they will tell me is that I am full of sh$t. I've been told that before.
Carpe Diem.
Carpe Diem.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A ZimKids thank you from Dennis
Dear Zimkids friends,
The 30 days of the Global Giving
challenge have ended and I'm writing to report that we raised an astronomical
$26,801, putting us in third place! In fact, we were at the top of the heap
until the last minute. Only three or four days before the end of the
competition did we discover that the other organizations that raised
significant amounts of money have US based paid staffs and professional
fundraisers. So we're still almost incredulous that Zimkids, which has only
volunteers in the US, emerged in such high standing.
The folks who run Global Giving were so impressed that they have informed us that they plan to feature Zimkids both in their publicity and in their dealings with large donors.
Pretty fantastic, what amazing friends my wife, Elli Burkett, our trustee, Adrian Suskin, our volunteer web designer, Hezvo Mpunga and I have. I will now return to Zimbabwe in November with enough money to not just fill stomachs with staple foods but to round out their diets
with meat, eggs and more vegetables in addition to covering their medical
expenses, other emergency needs but also to enhance the social and educational programs.
I wish I could say more than thank you,
that I could throw us all an enormous party with the kids in Pumula North so
that they could meet the generous organizations and individuals who will keep
them safe for the coming years!
Dennis.
Carpe Diem.
The 30 days of the Global Giving
challenge have ended and I'm writing to report that we raised an astronomical
$26,801, putting us in third place! In fact, we were at the top of the heap
until the last minute. Only three or four days before the end of the
competition did we discover that the other organizations that raised
significant amounts of money have US based paid staffs and professional
fundraisers. So we're still almost incredulous that Zimkids, which has only
volunteers in the US, emerged in such high standing.
The folks who run Global Giving were so impressed that they have informed us that they plan to feature Zimkids both in their publicity and in their dealings with large donors.
Pretty fantastic, what amazing friends my wife, Elli Burkett, our trustee, Adrian Suskin, our volunteer web designer, Hezvo Mpunga and I have. I will now return to Zimbabwe in November with enough money to not just fill stomachs with staple foods but to round out their diets
with meat, eggs and more vegetables in addition to covering their medical
expenses, other emergency needs but also to enhance the social and educational programs.
I wish I could say more than thank you,
that I could throw us all an enormous party with the kids in Pumula North so
that they could meet the generous organizations and individuals who will keep
them safe for the coming years!
Dennis.
Carpe Diem.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
GlobalGiving Challenge
Thanks to the incredible generosity of so many people ZimKids was able to come in third and earn an extra US$1000. We did not miss first and second place by much!!!
1st. Education Scholarships for Child Laborers in India raised US$27,686 and 262 unique donors.
2nd. Support Entrepreneurial Drive of Women in Ghana raised US$27,373 and 121 unique donors.
3rd. Feed Zimbabwean Orphans, Body and Soul raised US$26,801 and 112 unique donors.
We are absolutely thrilled at the results and cannot thank each and every one of you enough. I do, however, want to single out the Foundation at the Independent Pilot's Association. The trustees involved in making this decision to help and the ultimate generosity of the pilot group (of which I belong) makes me very proud and honored to be a part of.
From all of us at ZimKids.com, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Carpe Diem.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Rosh Hashana (The new year)
To all my family and friends around the world celebrating Rosh Hashana I wish you a very healthy new year and well over the fast.
Carpe Diem.
Carpe Diem.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
New added stuff
Check out the video and article I posted from September 13th about our London visit. Just in case you missed it.
Oh yea. It's not too late. We need lots more unique donors. Small amounts will do and do one for your pet!
http://www.globalgiving.com/dy/v2/globalchallenge.html
Carpe Diem.
Oh yea. It's not too late. We need lots more unique donors. Small amounts will do and do one for your pet!
http://www.globalgiving.com/dy/v2/globalchallenge.html
Carpe Diem.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sorry to appeal again
There is roughly 3 days left to contribute to our ZimKids project. I hate to bug you all especially those that have been kind enough to donate already. But, what we need in the next couple of days are small, unique donations. What I mean by unique is different people. It can be separate US$5 donations from you, your spouse and your kids. If you check out the links below it will better explain what we are trying to achieve. Many, many thanks from all of us at ZimKids.com.
http://www.zimkids.com/new/
http://www.globalgiving.com/projects/zimkids-feeds-zimbabwean-orphans-body-and-soul/
http://www.globalgiving.com/dy/v2/globalchallenge.html
Carpe Diem.
http://www.zimkids.com/new/
http://www.globalgiving.com/projects/zimkids-feeds-zimbabwean-orphans-body-and-soul/
http://www.globalgiving.com/dy/v2/globalchallenge.html
Carpe Diem.
An email from Dennis to the Foundation trustees
Dear John,
To say I am overwhelmed is an understatement! Thank you and the trustees of the IPA Foundation for your generous assistance to Zimkids. Over the last year, we have nearly tripled the number of orphans we serve at the same moment that the price of food has skyrocketed. The dolls the children make pay for the basic food package they all receive, but we have been struggling to meet growing medical expenses. Your donation will allow us to ensure that the kids with HIV and those with tuberculosis get consistent treatment, as well as to meet the raft of other diseases all of the children contract. We will also use the funds you have provided to improve the variety and nutritional content of the food we presently distribute which has been woefully short on protein.
Over the course of the coming months we will be happy to provide you with an accounting of how and for what we use the funds.
I told Tinashe Basa, Prosper Modhi and Sipho Nyoni, our trustees in Zimbabwe, about this wonderful gift. They asked me to pass along their deepest thanks, both to you and to Adrian, who has been such a stalwart friend to all of us.
Sincerely
Dennis Gaboury
Founder, Trustee Zimkids Orphan Trust
Carpe Diem.
To say I am overwhelmed is an understatement! Thank you and the trustees of the IPA Foundation for your generous assistance to Zimkids. Over the last year, we have nearly tripled the number of orphans we serve at the same moment that the price of food has skyrocketed. The dolls the children make pay for the basic food package they all receive, but we have been struggling to meet growing medical expenses. Your donation will allow us to ensure that the kids with HIV and those with tuberculosis get consistent treatment, as well as to meet the raft of other diseases all of the children contract. We will also use the funds you have provided to improve the variety and nutritional content of the food we presently distribute which has been woefully short on protein.
Over the course of the coming months we will be happy to provide you with an accounting of how and for what we use the funds.
I told Tinashe Basa, Prosper Modhi and Sipho Nyoni, our trustees in Zimbabwe, about this wonderful gift. They asked me to pass along their deepest thanks, both to you and to Adrian, who has been such a stalwart friend to all of us.
Sincerely
Dennis Gaboury
Founder, Trustee Zimkids Orphan Trust
Carpe Diem.
Monday, September 14, 2009
A wonderful surprise today
I had the most incredible surprise today concerning our ZimKids project. For the past number of days I had been working with two of the most wonderful pilot friends of mine at UPS that are involved in our Independent Pilots Association IPA (union) charitable Foundation (John D. and Tim B.). This Foundation was established by our pilots of which I have been a participating member since its inception quite a number of years ago.
I cannot begin to explain the generosity of this pilot group of which I am very proud to be associated with. We are all fortunate to be employed by a very good company (UPS) making very good livings. Of course, as pilots, we can always find things to complain and whine about. It's simply part of our core being (I say this with tongue in cheek)! However, while we may not all agree on every cause the Foundation Trustees choose to support we all, non the less, understand the concept and idea of giving back. In this particular case the trustees choose to support the ZimKids project with an incredible initial donation that almost meets a third of our yearly budget.
I have difficulty explaining how much this donation and it's source mean to me. Even though I have been on extended medical leave my Company and of course, my Association has never forgotten me. The love, caring and prayers from so many of my flying "family" mean the world to me and has been an incredible source of support. I am humbled, honored and truly touched by all of this. Words are simply not enough to express my gratitude. I am and will forever be a very proud member of this group of people.
To all of you, I say, may you all have blue sky and tail winds and of course, safe flying. Remember to trust your bodies in what they are trying to tell you and may you all stay in good health.
With deep gratitude, love and affection,
Adrian Suskin,
B757/767 Captain Louisville.
http://www.zimkids.com/new/
http://www.globalgiving.com/projects/zimkids-feeds-zimbabwean-orphans-body-and-soul/
http://www.globalgiving.com/dy/v2/globalchallenge.html
Carpe Diem.
I cannot begin to explain the generosity of this pilot group of which I am very proud to be associated with. We are all fortunate to be employed by a very good company (UPS) making very good livings. Of course, as pilots, we can always find things to complain and whine about. It's simply part of our core being (I say this with tongue in cheek)! However, while we may not all agree on every cause the Foundation Trustees choose to support we all, non the less, understand the concept and idea of giving back. In this particular case the trustees choose to support the ZimKids project with an incredible initial donation that almost meets a third of our yearly budget.
I have difficulty explaining how much this donation and it's source mean to me. Even though I have been on extended medical leave my Company and of course, my Association has never forgotten me. The love, caring and prayers from so many of my flying "family" mean the world to me and has been an incredible source of support. I am humbled, honored and truly touched by all of this. Words are simply not enough to express my gratitude. I am and will forever be a very proud member of this group of people.
To all of you, I say, may you all have blue sky and tail winds and of course, safe flying. Remember to trust your bodies in what they are trying to tell you and may you all stay in good health.
With deep gratitude, love and affection,
Adrian Suskin,
B757/767 Captain Louisville.
http://www.zimkids.com/new/
http://www.globalgiving.com/projects/zimkids-feeds-zimbabwean-orphans-body-and-soul/
http://www.globalgiving.com/dy/v2/globalchallenge.html
Carpe Diem.
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