I thought I was getting set up on a blind date. I thought Nadine and Dana were just being sly, trying to break the ‘no dating’ rule I had instigated since my last relationship had gone south. I sat on Nadine’s couch, naively waiting for the moment when I could politely interrupt her and tell her that while I certainly agreed that he sounded like quite the catch, I wasn’t interested in upsetting my perfect schedule for some guy I probably wouldn’t want to talk to two months later.
Looking back now, I kind of wish it had just been a blind date. What Nadine and Dana had in store for me was nothing short of life changing, a challenge that not only altered the next three months of my life but also how I looked at who I had become in last few years. It’s funny, at the time I accepted the nomination for the 2011 Woman of the Year, I didn’t even have a connection to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I accepted purely because two people I truly respected thought I was someone they could trust with the job at hand. I was – I am – in a position to reach out to people, to truly make a difference and there was no way I could look at either of them and tell them I wasn’t up for it.
I can’t honestly tell you how much money I’ve raised for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society since April 7th. I won’t know until Friday. All I can tell you is that if you ever get the chance to take on something bigger and more important than yourself, do it. Don’t even hesitate, just say yes. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve had nights where I can’t sleep and nights where I sleep and all I dream about is fundraising. I’ve had events fall through and people disappoint me. I’ve cried when people have told me no and almost given up when it felt like everything was working against me.
But for the first time in my life, I feel like I’ve really accomplished something. For the first time in a long time, I did something – not because it benefited me – but because it felt like it was the right thing to do. And honestly, while the last ten weeks have been some of the most stressful I’ve yet to endure, they are nothing compared to what a family dealing with leukemia or lymphoma has to deal with. The sleepless nights and tears and panicked calls to my friends and family are completely insignificant when you sit down and listen to the stories of the families I’ve met through LLS.
While I know I’m raising money and bringing awareness to an amazing cause, I think the best thing I’ve been given is the support and encouragement from my friends, family and complete strangers who have opened up their hearts and truly been behind me since day one. It’s been an amazing reminder of how much good there is in this world. And while I know I don’t say it enough, I am truly thankful that I have all of you in my life – whether you are one of my best friends or just someone that knows me as Intern Gal – I’ve been overwhelmed by all of the support I’ve received these last ten weeks. I’m honestly so blessed.
I’ve accepted the fact that I might not win Woman of the Year on Friday. This was, all along, a competition. I’m honestly okay with that. See, I won it all a long time ago. Friday is just an excuse to put on a pretty dress, dance with my family and friends and raise more money for LLS. On Saturday morning, I’ll wake up and the 2011 Man & Woman of the Year competition will be over. Two amazing candidates will have taken on their new titles and life – for some – will go back to normal. But I knew back in January when I accepted the nomination that my commitment wouldn’t end on June 17th. I’m in and I challenge every single one of you to find something that pushes you to that same point. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.
If you'd like to donate to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please visit my site and make a direct donation to an amazing cause. Donations for The 2011 Man & Woman of the Year will be accepted until Friday at noon.
