Two days ago, Paul and Sheri topped up Andrea’s Run for the Cure fundraising efforts, pushing her to $4000 — her goal at the time. That’s when we discovered Andrea was the third highest fundraiser in Ottawa.
We announced the milestone on this blog, Twitter and Facebook, asking for help to put Andrea in the pole position for fundraising in Ottawa.
At this moment, Andrea is second overall in the city with sponsorship of $5,148!!! That’s incredible. And yet, there’s still opportunity to be part of fundraising history by making Andrea the number one fundraiser for the first time in her life.
If your name isn’t on this list, sponsor Andrea and help make history. You have 29 days left.
Huge, huge thank yous to:
Mark is primary support, cheerleader and project manager of Andrea's recovery. You can read more from Mark here and on Mark's real blog, MarkBlevis.com.
Posted by Mark September 2, 2010 at 8:17 pm.
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Last month, I invited you to join me in my effort to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation by sponsoring me here.
In the 6 weeks since, you’ve raised $4000!
(….and made me the 3rd highest fundraiser for the Ottawa-Gatineau run, so far!!)
Huge, huge thank yous to:
WOooHooo!!
What generosity will the remaining 34 days of sponsorship bring?
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea August 30, 2010 at 5:36 pm.
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Celebrating life with good, good friends.
(to enlarge, click image twice — or view details here)
More Happiness here.
Posted by Andrea August 29, 2010 at 9:46 pm.
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Summer schedules are busy. And the last week before school may be the craziest time to book a celebration.
But celebrate we must.
We will miss saying huge in-person thank yous to our absent friends.
We hope our gratitude beams reach you wherever you are.
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea August 27, 2010 at 12:28 am.
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Last month, I invited you to join me in my effort to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation by sponsoring me here.
In the few weeks since, your generous gifts of financial support for cancer research and moral support for our little family have infused all four of us with gratitude and with joy.
Along with your donations of close to $4000, I’ve even received the following juicy little notes of encouragement that feed my soul:
Andrea, I don’t find the right words to describe how much I admire you for the way you have managed to go through the battle with cancer, and for what you are doing right now… I wish you all the best!!
– Ana-Maria
Go, Andrea!!! You inspire me. Cheers.
– Mare
Kudos to you Andrea for all that you have been through and for remaining strong, as well as, giving others hope. Have a great run!
– Pam
xooxoxoxo
– Sheree
Wow.. Andrea you are a true inspiration.. Bravo!
– Snookie & Norman
Best of luck on the run & your battle!
– Kaveh
Thinking of you and sending warmest wishes!
– Corinne
Best wishes Andrea for good health and happiness
– Linda
You continue to inspire, Andrea!
– Sue
Stay healthy
– Mitch
You’re such an inspiration, Andrea–good luck!
– Zetta
We all believe in you, Andrea. thank you for this opportunity. go, go, go, girl! thank you for your love of children’s books.
– Jan
Run fast. Wobble a bit. Laugh at funny things.
– Chris
Congratulations! If you’re looking to build a posse to run with on the big day, let me know.
– Tanya
Go Andrea Go!
– Bob
Never, for one moment, doubt the possibilities that lie ahead. Count us among the many that stand behind you.
– Tania
Good luck, Andrea!
– Paul
You go, Andrea!
– Hugh
Go Andrea!
– Diane
I wish you all the best and hoping for a speedy recovery.
– Cathy
For Andrea, lots of good thoughts and encouragement for your run!
– Diane
Go, Andrea! You have our thoughts and best wishes.
– Stephanie & Mark
Made in support of Andrea’s and my grandmother’s, Marion Morris, cancer battles.
– Denise
You inspire us Andrea.
– Clare
Go Andrea!
– Barb
With you all the way! We know that you will make it on all accounts!
Rhoda & Bert
Sending lots of love
– Barbara
You are amazing
– Andree & Greg
Andrea, I can only imagine what the last 9 months has been like for you. What’s obvious from your blog is you’ve faced it with strength & optimism! I’m glad your treatment is over & I hope you stay cancer free. Have a great summer with your girls. Good luck with the run.
– Joanne
It is awesome that you are doing this, Andrea!
– Jay
You are awesome Andrea!! xoxoxo
– Mary
We wish you the best!
– Joan
All that is yours by Divine Right is now released and reaches you in a perfect way under Grace.
– Ebony
Andrea -you are an inspiration!
– Stacey
Dear Andrea, wish you all the very best in life. Great initiative in running for breast cancer awareness and raising money for the Foundation.
– Sriram
Have followed your journey and am so proud of you and Mark.
– Rich
With wishes for a sustained recovery and a lifetime of productive years.
– Carol
Go Andrea, go! We applaud your efforts and thank you for running to raise funds and awareness. Love to you.
– Jenny
Thank you!
What wonders will the remaining 40 days of sponsorship bring?
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea August 24, 2010 at 10:50 pm.
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On August 24, 2009, I turned 44.
Twin digit years being lucky, I slipped into this one with humble hopes for undefined improvements.
Within a week, I’d found that lump.
It’s tough to fathom the changes that followed.
And the improvements.
I could have done without the terror, the discomfort and the physical and financial diminishments. But the net gain this year has truly been incredible.
This year I learned that life is short. That I am strong. That people are good. That my supporters are many.
And the importance of practicing joy.
This twin digit year leaves me a better, stronger, happier me.
I am immensely grateful to Mark, to Lucy, to Bayla and to everyone whose words, smiles, meals, notes, playdates, care and thoughtful actions helped create this incredible year.
And I am thrilled that I will have a chance to say some thank yous in person this Saturday as we celebrate life, good health and good, good friends. I can’t wait.
p.s. Does anyone other than Mark, Mary, Jay, Caroline and myself laugh out loud at these Arrested Development titles, I wonder?
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea August 23, 2010 at 8:54 am.
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Last month, I invited you to join me in my effort to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation by sponsoring me here.
In the 3 weeks since, you’ve raised over $3000!
Huge, huge thank yous to:
You rock!!
What generosity will the remaining 56 days of sponsorship bring?
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea August 8, 2010 at 12:24 pm.
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Carefree, relaxing, restorative family time, loads of space and fresh air.
Massive Thank Yous to
Jen, Karen, Jim
and all the good, good people at CottageDreams.org
More Happiness here.
Posted by Andrea August 6, 2010 at 11:41 pm.
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Q:where?
A: For me: still the same room. For Lucy: upstairs
Q:what?
A: my own bedroom!!!!!!
Q:when?
A:now:-)!!!!!!
Lucy and I have always been begging and pleading for our own rooms. Well, now we’ve got them!!!
We’ve got this AWESOME plan BUT (and as you can see it is a big bold but) I can’t tell them to mom and dad so I better not write them on the blog because mom and dad read the blog.
Bayla (Now 9!) is the youngest member of the Clan Ross-Blevis. You can read more from Bayla here.
Posted by Bayla July 31, 2010 at 7:19 am.
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Lucy is turning eleven and craves her own bedroom.
Long gone is my era of sewing for hours each day.
The result is our family’s summer project: transforming my personal haven into Lucy’s own room.
Digging through my much loved creative space, tightly packed with hastily stashed pockets of my personal, family and professional history, has drenched me with memories. And with tears.
Artwork, receipts, cards, letters and scrawls. Job offers, lab notes, smiling babies I barely recall. Relics from my roaring twenties. Glimpses of eleven years of juggling parenting, career, creativity and me.
Loads of it purged.
I’m thrilled for Lucy. She’ll love her new room.
I just need to remember that this personal archeology is not about wrapping up me.
It’s about eliminating clutter. Clearing out cobwebs. Letting go. And celebrating the beautiful young ladies our girls are becoming.
It’s about life. And there’s lots more to come.
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea July 30, 2010 at 7:37 am.
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Last week, I invited you to join me in my effort to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation by sponsoring me here.
In the 8 days since, you’ve raised over $2000!
Huge, huge thank yous to:
You rock!!
What generosity will the remaining 68 days of sponsorship bring?
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea July 27, 2010 at 8:16 am.
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Reconnecting.
Sharing this journey online has rewarded me with opportunities to connect with friends and relatives from the distant past.
Living this journey has rewarded me with the courage to face old fears, step beyond the comfort of keystrokes and into real-time, face-to-face encounters.
My life is so much richer as a result.
And it’s getting easier.
Lucky me.
More Happiness here.
Posted by Andrea July 26, 2010 at 5:17 pm.
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Being Me.
It’s a month, today, since my final radiation treatment.
In these four glorious weeks, I’ve been living it up and lollygagging with good friends and good family.
I’ve grown some eyelashes and some hair.
I’ve stepped up to the scariness of public speaking.
I’ve coasted obliviously through a significant earthquake.
I’ve enjoyed schedule-free summer days with Lucy and Bayla.
I’m now two weeks into my five years of hormone therapy and — touch wood — its been blissfully imperceptible.
My white blood count is still low (I had a good cry over that news this morning). And various muscles and joints are still struggling with the effects of chemo.
But I feel like myself again — only better, stronger and happier. Really.
I am the rebuilt me.
And, with every thought and every choice, I’m working to stay that way.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
More Happiness here.
Posted by Andrea July 15, 2010 at 4:40 pm.
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Andrea
Lucy* (10)
Bayla* (8)