Looking forward to Hope Summit 2012!

“Friendship marks a life even more deeply than love. Love risks degenerating into obsession, friendship is never anything but sharing.”― Elie Wiesel

This weekend I will be attending Hope Summit 2012 hosted by LUNGevity Foundation.  Katie Brown is the master mind of Hope Summit. Katie is the most caring and dedicated person I know. The summit was created last year (2011), and it is something that everyone who has experienced lung cancer should attend! Attending this event changed my life. It was my first time meeting a group of people that understood exactly what I went through with a lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. There was no negative judgement, just fun and embracing life, sharing stories, and meeting new friends - a new family. Last year I arrived for the summit weekend feeling scared, unsure, and somewhat ashamed about ever having lung cancer, but when I left I felt empowered, no longer ashamed, and I felt much more confident talking openly about my personal story with lung cancer.

A few months ago LUNGevity Foundation posted an amazing article by a fellow suvivor named Cindy, the article is called 'There IS Hope'. It is about Cindy's experience at the Hope Summit, but it really sums up everyone's experience who attended.

"The next day we spent in our meeting-we formally shared our experiences with each other and really talked about what might be meaningful for a HOPE Summit in 2012. Again, there were a lot of conversations and really listening to each other because we share common experiences. There were some tears, laughs, and a lot of straightforward talk about issues, accomplishments, and all of the other things that survivors wonder if everybody else in their shoes is experiencing." - 'There IS Hope' by Cindy

There were nearly 20 survivors last year, and even though there will be at least double that amount at this year's summit I will be missing Stephanie. I know everyone who attended last year will also. Even after surviving cancer I find myself taking life for granted at times. I try to remain MINDFUL of my surroundings, but it doesn't always seem possible.

"I must have been really selfish before my diagnosis for lung cancer in 2008. Even though I worked way too many hours at times, I did a lot of what I wanted – ate good food, gardened, volunteered for worthwhile causes, did useful work, read, made friends, got a pretty good education, and travelled (of course, there are still lots of places to go, but there always would be.) ..." - 'Bucket List' by Stephanie

I continue to watch The Big C for both of us, and after reading further in her article on LUNGevity Foundation's blog I think she was more connected to the Laura Linney's character (Cathy Jamison) than I ever realized.

"I always say I did not need the wake up call to make big changes in my life. Maybe I already understood the impermanence of life and was living in the present? How lung cancer has changed me is to make me more compassionate, and both more and less patient." - Stephanie

Cathy : "I have a very stubborn cancer!"







The page entitled 'Hope Summit' on this blog has photos and recaps from last year's summit. This year I will be adding more photos and memories to this page. Please check back for updates!