October 4th - For the Love of Greg Come Join Us

grat·i·tude

/ˈgratəˌt(y)o͞od/

noun

noun: gratitude

the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

"she expressed her gratitude to the committee for their support"

If I could write that in 6,594,284 sized font I would because I'm so humbled and very grateful to everybody that have made donations to Greg's mobility fun so far.  (If you'd like to know more about Greg's story, click here: http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com/2014/08/helping-my-brother-in-his-fight-against.html) We're a little over half-way to where we need to be to continue the modifications Greg needs to stay safe at home.  The bathroom has been made handicap accessible now including a wider door, new sinks that are wall mounted and an ADA approved toilet and grab bars.  Operation Bathroom was an amazing success!

The front door was also replaced to accommodate the stairglide which is being built at a factory in Wisconsin as we speak.  We're anticipating a call to schedule installation in the next few weeks... which is perfect timing for the BIG EVENT we've been planning.

So I can finally tell you...we've organized a Spaghetti Dinner Benefit for my brother Greg.  The journey through fighting brain cancer has been an uphill battle.  And honestly, most of us would throw our hands up in the air in frustration!  NOT GREG!  Nope, he's a courageous fighter.  Just because he can't feel his feet isn't stopping him from riding his recumbent bicycle so he keeps his heart and lungs strong.  Seeing his courage through this journey and his humor that he infuses in everything makes coordinating this benefit for him an honor and a privilege! 

So here's the details:  For the Love of Greg Spaghetti Dinner Benefit

Saturday, October 4, 2014  11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The Monte Carlo Room 

720 N. Wisconsin Street, Elkhorn, WI

It's a Badger Saturday, so we'll be televising the game on the big screen!  We'll have all you can eat spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and delicious desserts from the Elkhorn Pastry Shop.  Special thanks to Greg Kaplan for donating our desserts!

We'll have a silent auction with some amazing items!  WI sports fanatics... mark this date on your calendar... and be there!  We have an autographed Bo Ryan basketball!  We have an autographed football from the Big 10 dinner in 2013 with signatures from UW Alums Jared Abbrederis (now a Green Bay Packer) and Chris Borland (now a San Francisco 49er!) We'll have a show down between two amazing NFL team throws - which side loves Greg more... Chicago Bears fans or Green Bay Packer fans??  Time will tell!

UPDATE 9/19/14:  We JUST got an Autographed Green Bay Packers football with the entire 2013 team!!  

We'll also have silent auction items for the dog lover, a limited edition pheasant print and more!  

But even more than that, Saturday, October 4th will be a great time to come out, enjoy some laughter with Greg and know that your meal is truly making a difference in his life!  We've been blessed to be surrounded by amazing family and friends through this journey.  Through love and prayer, I can honestly say I feel so lifted up and cherished.

My family means the world to me, so being able to help Greg keep his mobility as his cancer wreaks havoc on his body, is my blessing as his big sister!  So here's the deal... you can buy tickets in advance for $12 or at the front door the day of the dinner ($15.)  And because we love family, anybody under 5 eats Free!    Advanced ticket sales will make big sister Dawn really happy, and will earn you an extra hug (because then we can give the Monte Carlo room a better count for how many fans Greg has!) :)

Tickets available beginning Wednesday, September 17th at the following local businesses:  

The Quilting Connection 21 Adams Street, Elkhorn

Soleil Caffe 56 W. Market Street, Elkhorn - FREE Tan with ticket purchase!

Keefe Real Estate 204 E. Commerce Court, Elkhorn

Keefe Real Estate 751 Geneva Parkway, Lake Geneva

Thank to to all the local businesses that are helping to spread the word and make this Spaghetti Dinner Benefit For the Love of Greg a Success.  It's what being part of a community is all about.  And I am so grateful to be surrounded by such an amazing community!

If you would like to help Greg's Mobility fund, but cannot be there on October 4th, we have also established an online fundraiser that would allow you to donate online at:  bit.ly/GregsFightAgainstBrainCancer 

And because we're still getting in so many amazing prizes for the silent auction, we've created a Facebook Page - For the Love of Greg to show you just what you can win... https://www.facebook.com/GregsFightAgainstBrainCancer

And did I mention you could win cash??  Yes, we're also doing a 50/50 raffle where YOU can WIN Ca$h!  And who doesn't like a little extra dough in their pocket? ;)

If you aren't local to us and would like to purchase advanced tickets, or you have any questions about silent auction donations, please email us at ForTheLoveofGreg@gmail.com and we'll make sure you get your advance tickets and answer your questions right away!

Thank you to all who have helped my family.  Each and every one of you has earned your angel wings and I am so deeply grateful and humbled to have you in my life!

Love & Light,
Dawn

Helping My Brother In His Fight Against Brain Cancer

If you only read one of my blog posts ever in this lifetime, please read this one.  I'm opening my heart to allow you to see what my family and I are up against as we help my brother Greg's fight against brain cancer. 

See when Greg was just 20 he was diagnosed with brain cancer, medulloblastoma for those that are wondering.  Typically this type of cancer is found in children... so it was rare to see someone his age with a brain tumor.  At that time a team of doctors did brain surgery and successfully removed the tumor.  An extended hospital stay and radiation later and Greg was healing and on the road to getting his life back.

In October of 2012 Greg's routine MRI revealed that his brain cancer had returned.  He now had 3 tumors and the cancer had spread to his spine.  Due to the locations of the tumors, these are inoperable.  Greg underwent radiation and chemotherapy at UW Hospital in Madison, WI to help shrink the tumors. 

Help Greg's Fight Against Brain Cancer

Last week we had an MRI checkup and found a new abnormal spot on Greg's spine.  It's a very small spot, so we cannot yet tell if the cancer has spread or if it's necrosis the result of extensive radiation. We have to wait 4 weeks and do another MRI to determine.  It was not the news any of us were hoping to hear. 

The only time you'll see Green Bay Packer anything on my blog... for the love of Greg!

Mom & Greg

 Since Greg's medical treatments, his mobility has been severely affected.  He has no feeling from the knees down in either leg.  Picture walking and not knowing where or how your feet are landing.  That's how Greg's feet are every day.  He has increasing pain in his hips due to avascular necrosis from prolonged steroid use to prevent brain swelling. 

Currently, Greg is living with my Mom & Dad, in their bi-level home (translation lots of stairs).  He was forced to sell his home he worked so hard to buy, and has since sold one of his cars.  He's currently in the process of selling his beloved Camaro because "it deserves to be driven like the machine that it is."

Daisy Duke loves Greg!

If I had one wish, it would be to take Greg's cancer away.  But I cannot do that.  So I'm doing the best I can to help him maintain his mobility as his body decides not to cooperate.  Right now, my parents need to make modifications to their home to keep Greg safe & mobile.  The largest of those being to installed an electric Stairglide to allow Greg to get in & out of the house.  They also need to renovate their bathroom to accommodate his walker & wheelchair.  Additionally, because of the design of their home, they need to change their front door to one that opens outward so it doesn't bump against the track for the stairglide.  As Greg's mobility continues to deteriorate, an electric wheelchair will be the only way he'll be able to get around safely. In addition to Greg's medical bills, these modifications are quite extensive and my parents cannot do it on their own. 

Click photo to lend a helping hand!

Several of my friends from around the globe have personally emailed me asking if they can help.  Up to this point, as a family we've been balancing and managing through sacrifice & love.  Give & take... but together we've been able to take care of things. 

However, with these latest requirements, we are no longer able to do it on our own.  It takes a whole village!  If you feel in your heart you'd like to contribute, I've set up an online fundraiser to help Greg's Mobility Fund.  If you cannot donate, but want to make a difference, can you share Greg's story with a link to his fundraiser. http://bit.ly/GregsFightAgainstBrainCancer  Every donation helps! The love & prayers we've received since Greg's cancer returned have been amazing!  Love can & will make a difference!  And I appreciate you for helping me make Greg's journey more comfortable and safe for as long as we're blessed to have him on this earth. Sending love & light! xo, Dawn

Donate to Greg's Mobility Fund:  https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/mx75/greg-doucette-s-fight-against-brain-cancer

September 30, 2012 - Photo by Matt Mason Photography

July 5, 2014 - Photo by Ashlynn, 6 years old. ;)

Meeting Tony Romo - Jewelry for his Wife AND Making My Brother's Dream Come True.

Can I tell you how special my brother Greg is?  And can I tell you I'd do anything to make him laugh, see him smile and make his dreams come true?

I had the experience of a lifetime this week as I was able to arrange for my brother Greg to meet one of his football idols in person.  Greg has been a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan (not sure how as he was born & raised in Wisconsin, but then I'm a Bear fan so I'll leave that alone).  Greg and my Dad even had a road trip a few years ago to drive all the way to Canton, OH to the Football Hall of Fame to witness the induction of Deion Sanders into the Hall of Fame and get his autograph... that's how big of a fan Greg is.

JOKE of the day... so a Bears Fan, a Cowboys Fan, a Packer Fan and a 49ers fan get into a car... yep, that was Myself, Greg, my sister Brenda and my mom... we're still laughing at ourselves.

Anyhow the Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Tony Romo grew up in Burlington, WI just down the road from where we grew up.  Once a summer, he returns to his hometown to host a football camp for young football players locally.  When I heard he was coming to town, I put my fingers to work and was able to contact someone who put me in touch with one of Tony's really close personal friends. 

As a team, we were able to arrange a meeting so Greg could meet Tony in person and get his autograph.  We were also able to sit in on a live press conference, that was really cool.  I gained a lot of respect for Tony via the message he shared at his press conference.  He spoke of making the most of your opportunities when they present themselves.  He spoke of having a dream and following it.  He also talked about how important it is to give back - in his case to the community, to charities and to the fans that are behind him through great games and "not so great" games.  His sincerity was touching and the way he connected with Greg and I felt like he was an old friend, someone we could go grab a burger and a beer with.

What was more amazing though, Greg didn't know we were actually going to meet him.  Greg knew he was in town for the camp and thought we were going to head over there with hopes we could catch a glimpse of him.  I envision him saying "Dawn, there he is... can you run and get his autograph" then having me take off in my flip flops running down the football field in pouring rain trying to catch up to the 6'2" superstar quarterback.  Now THAT would have been something to catch on video for YouTube.  LOL

So even with the thought that we might see him, Greg is always looking out for his big sister.  His thought was, well if we do actually get to see him, you should make a piece of jewelry for him to give his wife.  I'm sure she'd love your jewelry.  Okay, BRILLIANT THOUGHT dear brother... and why it never crossed my mind I'm still puzzled over.  So I did a little research on Tony Romo's wife to get a feel for her personal style, tastes and created something that I think she'll be pleased to wear.  She'll be able to root for the Dallas Cowboys without sporting that ginormous star logo.  The custom designed necklace I made would allow her to be classy and elegant, allowing her support for the team an her natural beauty shine. 

It was an amazing day and a great memory that we will all cherish forever!  And if Tony Romo and his wife want to come to our family BBQ anytime, we'd like to extend an open invitation.  Thank you for taking a sincere interest in making Greg's dream come true!

If you're looking for classy Dallas Cowboys jewelry or custom designed jewelry to support your favorite team, I'm happy to design something for you!  Making something exclusive and one-of-a-kind is my specialty and I'd be honored to help you support your favorite team and have a unique piece of jewelry you can pass down as your legacy!

Legacy Jewelry for Generations