It's been a while since I've posted for you, so it may take me a minute to find my groove. I'd like to say that I've just been too busy to find the time to send the word out, but even though that's probably true, it's not what's kept me away. In all honesty I needed a bit of a break. There's something absolutely exhausting about summarizing the most difficult period of your life on a regular basis. Luckily Sarah stepped in with a beautiful post in my absence. Not to worry though, I'm back and re-energized. Our wonderful trip to Palm Springs and, more recently, the Sarah Furlano Cancer Benefit have me feeling renewed and ready to type. Thanks for your patience everybody.
Now, let's get to the benefit! Yesterday was the big day. We've spent the last month or so planning out a benefit with the help of our friend Katherine Upshur. The idea was to raise money for the mounting medical costs, and our projected cost for this whole experience. Well, that was part of it. The other part was to host an event that not only celebrated life, but gut gave all of our friends an opportunity to come, show their support, and see Sarah.
Many of the people we know have really expressed an interest in helping out, but at the same time everyone is worried about being a bother. We don't see people that way, but I certainly understand. I've been on the outside looking in several times in the past and have felt the same way. This was our chance to give our friends and family in the area and abroad an outlet to show their support. We figured that there was no better way to celebrate life, and nothing more true to ourselves, than a concert event.
The planning was grueling at times, trying to figure out how to put together a music event coupled with a silent auction, but Katherine really stepped up and drove it home. We had almost more donations than we could handle for the auction, and each of them were both generous and incredible. We could not be more thankful for the wonderful items that people poured into this event. Also, this auction would not have been possible without all of the fantastic volunteers who brought it to life when the doors opened.
The event was held at a local blues bar called Moe's Alley, which is of legendary status in the area. My company Universal Audio helped make this happen. I had asked the President of the company, Matt Ward, if he could help us negotiate the price of renting the club for a day, because my company is pretty well know in the music industry. He replied with "how does nothing sound? We'll take care of it, it's the least we can do". For a company to show that kind of compassion, and in the middle of a recession, was both touching and reassuring.
We decided to have two bands play the event, and I was honored and flattered that Sarah asked my old band, Space Heater, to play the event. We chose another band that Space Heater had some history with, Naomi and the Courteous Rude Boys. They are an amazing Santa Cruz band that tours all over the west coast, and they accepted the invitation graciously. Everything was coming together.
We topped off the roster with our friend JD Kaiser who is a great local DJ. He was set to spin records when the bands were off stage. Finally, our good friend Emily Quirk signed on to MC the event. This came naturally to Emily, who is the host of a local radio show. We had an amazing cast for this performance, and it showed. The event when off without a hitch. Well, that's not exactly true. There were mini-hitches galore, but our crew of volunteers were unstoppable.
It was a magical day of fun, music, unparalleled generosity, and best of all children. This famously dark blues club was transformed into a Sunday afternoon playtime extravaganza. There were markers and stickers, hula hoops and dinosaur tattoos, juice boxes and little dancers all over the floor. It made for a scene that I'm sure Moe's Alley wasn't expecting, but the crowd was loving it.
The crowd was a mix of our entire history in California. Friends we've met from the last six years, from all different groups and corners of this area came out to show their support. It was a cathartic experience for both of us, and it was an honor. Thanks to everyone who was involved in that wonderful day.
I've spoken often on this blog about ups and downs throughout this experience. Unfortunately, we are never immune to the balancing act, and the roller coaster never stops. Today was Sarah's routine blood draw, where we find out how her white blood cell count is doing. This time it has dipped so low that tomorrows chemo treatment will have to be postponed. She will need a series of shots to try to bring it back up, and these are shots that make the bones hurt from the inside out. Our main concern is that she will not be able to get chemo until next week. Even though that only puts the end date off by a week, it is still difficult to hear, especially when a week in pain can feel like an eternity.
It is always hard to get bad news, but I suppose that when placed next to such an amazing weekend of family and friends, it's a little easier to swallow. I'll be back on the blog in few days to let you know what's happened with the blood cell count, and also to post some pictures from the benefit.
As always, it's been a pleasure writing for you,
Dan
