Inspirational is the word that I think really would sum up the Stand Up to Cancer event that Nikki and I were able to attend Friday night in LA.  It was truly a night that we will never forget.  We made our way to the Shrine Auditorium around 2:30 where we first met two other woman who were invited to attend the event because they raise so much money every year for SU2C.  They were so great to talk with and such amazing people.  We were both there for interviews so we chatted for a bit while we were waiting our turn.  Of course our turn came and I Nikki and I were there to really answer just a few questions but I knew the few questions would make me cry….like usual!  Nikki stood there with me while I chocked back the tears and told the camera how cancer has come into our lives and then when the words wouldn’t come out anymore, Nikki stepped in and finished my sentence.  I swear, for being 5 years younger than me, she sure does take on the role of an “older” sister.  She picks me up when I am falling down and always is there to support me.  I cannot thank her enough for going out there with me since Zac was gone with work.

After interviews we had plenty of time to mingle, and that’s just what we did.  We met so many wonderful people that had such amazing stories of their experience with cancer and how it has changed their lives.  It was an odd feeling because you felt so honored to be in the same room with so many amazing people, but at the same time you hated the fact that you were in a room filled with so many people that were affected by cancer.  It just doesn’t seem right that cancer is a part of so many peoples lives.

We were taken to our seats for the show and I can say that they pretty much amazing.  We met some of the other people who were there from the photo contest and it was great to put a face to the pictures that we had already become familiar with online.  There was a little boy sitting 2 rows in front of us that reminded me of Jack and I knew we had to talk to him.  I went down and introduced myself to Jaiden and his father and fell in love with this little 5 year old immediately.  He was shy at first but warmed up right away.  All I wanted to do was keep kissing his little bald head and soak up all his feisty energy.  We talked with Jaiden and his dad for quite a long time and learned that he was being treated for Wilms’ Tumor, a form of Neuroblastoma, and was doing extremely well.  You could see the pain in his dads eyes as he would tell us of what Jaiden had been through and all of his hopes for the future.   My heart hurt for him as I can relate to his fears, but  you could see the strength and determination that came out of Jaiden so we know he will make it through.  We told Jaiden that we would send him something from the Foundation when we got back home and of course he requested a big rig.  Not sure how we will ship that one, but we will figure it out!

From the moment the show started, I don’t think there was too many times when the tears were not falling.  We had heard that Taylor Swift was going to come out and sing the song “Ronan” that she had written about Rockstar Ronan who we have told you about many times.  Ronan and Jack were being treated at the same time at PCH for Neuroblastoma when Ronan’s treatment plan took a turn and he was taken away from his family way too soon. We knew it was going to be amazing, but when she started singing, the entire room stopped breathing.  It was such a beautiful song with the words taken straight from Maya’s mouth which made it even more real.  ”Ronan” is available on iTunes and all of the proceeds from the song will go to funding cancer research.  Please go on to iTunes and purchase the song…it has been #1 since it was released for purchase and it would be great to keep it there.  I promise if you haven’t heard it, grab a tissue.  A whole box.

SU2C focused a lot of pediatric cancer this year and that was amazing to hear.  They are putting together a dream team of doctors and scientists to help find better treatment for pediatric cancer with hopes of one day finding a cure.  If you were not able to donate the night of the event, you can text STAND to 40202 and you will donate $10 to SU2C.  Every penny counts so please take the time to do this!

I think my brain is on overload from all that we have done this weekend and I am totally exhausted so I will be cutting this short.  Thank you for all of the votes that made it possible for Nikki and I to go to LA.  Thank you to Stand Up 2 Cancer for such an amazing opportunity.  Thank you to all of the amazing people that we met there for showing support for Jack by wearing his bracelet and for sharing your stories with us.  We hope to hear from you all soon!!

Jaiden….if your Daddy is reading this, tell him to send us your address so we can get you that big rig!  Keep fighting…stay strong…keep your faith…and never give up!!  lmorton@thejackmortonfoundation.org

Nikki and I on our way!

This board was one of two that was filled (by the end of the night) with people writing who they stand up for…pretty cool

Just a couple of fellow cancer haters…loved them!

Our great seats

Jaiden!

I finally heard from PCH today and Jack’s VMA/HVA results are totally normal.  This urine test is a very important test because it can detect Neuroblstoma in the body and since his are normal, we can take a deep breath for a few months until his next set of scans in November. It feels so much better!

I can say that today has been a great day.  The fact that the Stand Up 2 Cancer photo contest is ending today has caused a bit of nervousness but that is only because we think this would be such an amazing opportunity.  I cannot even imagine the feeling of standing in a room with thousands who are all there for the same reason…to stand up to cancer until there is no more.  Can you imagine?!  What a wonderful experience that would be!!

I am also very humbled by the response of my friends who have voted for Jacks’ picture and the wonderful things they have said about him.  It amazes me every day how many people Jack has touched and how inspirational he can be.

It has been a bit since I started writing and I just got a call from Dr Eshun confirming the results we were told earlier.  He went over everything and thinks Jack is doing really well.  He also finally admitted that I am a tad neurotic.  It was pretty funny to hear but he is so right!  I am so thankful that we were given Dr Eshun as Jack’s doctor.  Not only do I think that there isn’t another oncologist that would have been able to deal with me, but I really believe that he is the best oncologist out there.  He never looked at Jack as a statistic.  He look at Jack as a son, a grandson, a nephew, a friend, a cousin…he looked at Jack as an individiual that he wanted to help make better…and that is what he did.  We will be forever greateful to Dr Eshun.

So tonight is the last night for voting on the SU2C Facebook page….if you are on Facebook, vote NOW!

http://apps.facebook.com/istandupfor/contests/261680/voteable_entries/55189654

We are on Day 3 of voting and I wanted to send out a little reminder to log on to Facebook and vote for Jacks’ picture!  I cannot explain what an amazing opportunity it would be to attend the SU2C event in California next month.  Please know that every vote counts and you can vote every 24 hours.  They don’t let anyone know what place they are in so we want to continue to vote as much as we can in hopes that we will end up in first place!

Last night something went wrong with my email and I cannot log in so I cannot check any of my mail.  Hopefully we will be able to resolve it today but until then, I am unsure if Eshun wrote us last night!  I don’t think he did, so to answer all the texts…we still don’t know the results yet!  We will let you know when we know…promise!

Since you are already on your computer, log in and vote for Jack!