Well how cool is this??!!
Nancy Baxter and I giving Michael a much-deserved kiss.
First our thanks to Nancy Baxter of the IMF Hotline for making this happen! Michael is a fan of "baseball" - the game - not necessarily who is playing for what team - but the genuine game. Baseball in its simplest form is pure.
Forget about the politics, the money, the steroids. It is the American pastime that has survived all time through wars and politics and even depression. Baseball. Pure and simple.
If you have seen the movie "Field of Dreams" then you can understand. Baseball can bring us together. Maybe baseball can help to create awareness for Myeloma; make people listen, politicians listen - we need each other, awareness and knowledge are key and the IMF is doing everything possible to help.
Padres pitcher Royce Ring congratulating Michael on his pitch.
Michael threw out the first pitch at the San Diego Padres game vs the NY Mets. I'm happy to say that he did not throw the ball into the dirt! (I knew he would make a good throw!) He was interviewed in the pre game ceremony on live local TV which we are hopeful helped to let people know what myeloma is, and that they do not have to go it alone.
We told them about the IMF, and that folks in this area are fortunate to have a local support group available to them. The San Diego Group meets the 2nd Monday of each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Forum at Westfield Shopping Town UTC, 4545 LaJolla Village Drive (Above Wells Fargo Bank). For more information, please contact Elliot Recht at 858-273-5008 or by E-mail at ElliotRecht@san.rr.com or Derek Statham at 858-227-3348 or by E-Mail at derekstatham@aol.com. Anyone interested in assisting Elliot as co-leader of this support group is highly encouraged to do so and should contact Elliot directly.
That's Elliot next to Michael.
On top of all the fun we had for the evening - the Padres won the game! We were so happy to see so many patients, staff and friends come out to have some fun.
Paul and Michael enjoying the game.
Paul Hewitt, of the IMF Hotline, took crazy flights to make the game and support us and myeloma - Thanks Paul!
Thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen - especially Nancy Baxter!
Robin