OMG2012 or bust?

What better topic for my inaugural post on my new blog, than the OMG2012 Cancer Summit for Young Adults? I started following Matthew Zachary (founder) on twitter in 2010 shortly after Lauren was diagnosed. He was posting as @stupidcancer then (still does) and I loved that his organization was geared more towards teens and young adults and wasn't "cancer type" specific. They tend to post more about lifestyle and what to do now that you have cancer or are in remission and dealing with LIFE. Lauren falls into a tough category as she is no longer pediatric, although still being treated on peds protocol and at a pediatric clinic/hospital. I found that they appealed to both me and Lauren, respectively =) as we kind of fit the age range of 15 - 40. I was bummed when I found out that they normally held their annual summit in NYC and knew that most likely, Lauren and I would never attend. Fast forward early 2011 and to my excitement, Matt posted on Facebook that OMG2012 was going to be in Las Vegas! OMG!!! At that time, we were still living in SF and I decided then and there that come hell or high water, Lauren and I would be going to Vegas! (Little did I know that soon after the announcement of the venue, we would actually be moving to Nevada, albeit Reno)

I think a huge hurdle to overcome in the cancerverse is the feeling of being alone. But for one long weekend, over 550 cancer survivors, their caregivers and friends and advocates alike come together to make sure you never have that feeling of being alone. The opening ceremonies, videos of the OMG2012 Road Trip (sponsored by Volkswagen) on the screen with what now will forever be our theme song, We Are Young, by Fun., brought tears to my eyes. I felt like these people were advocating for Lauren, personally. In fact, just writing those words makes me tear up. They have more passion about the cause than anyone I have ever seen! And what makes it even better is they are YOUNG and COOL! My kind of people =) We met so many people that can comprehend what life with cancer is all about, not to mention survivors and I mean, LONG TERM, 10+ years survivors. This in itself will continue to inspire Lauren to fight and never give up hope that some day, she will be living a life without cancer. Unfortunately, the downside are the long term affects that so many are dealing with that she too will most likely have to deal with as well. But the silver lining, they are all getting busy living, with or without side affects and again, this is an inspiration to us because if they are doing it, so can we!

So to end this inaugural post, here is Lauren, and some friends ... Needless to say, I haven't seen her smile this big in a very long time (and we all know what a happy beautiful girl Lauren is =))

And with that, all I have to say is "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" ... 

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peace and love

-cherri