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Hoepuccky is a member of the Angels Among Us Network.
Angels Among Us is a celebration of life, strength, courage and commitment.
See the John Jam Poster Full size.
Lisa Dames will not be able to appear
To a Fantastic Family of Friends,
I'm sorry that I have been unable to write to you sooner, letting
you know about the huge success this years fundraiser was for
The
Brain Tumor Center at Duke. This letter may be long so bear
with me as there have been some personal troubles, which I'll
explain later on.
On May 3, 09 an incredible article was published by Jeri Rowe in Greensboro
News-Record. As a result, Green's
Supper Club & Oyster Bar was packed with over 400+, celebrating
another year together with friends new-and-old, listening
to fantastic music,and all supporting a great cause. The music
from Sam Frazier
started the afternoon off right. His wonderful soulful originals
set the tone for Slider to play their own boogie sound for all
to hear and nearly everyone had on their dancing shoes. One
friend, Stan Wesoly 71 years young, danced with 15 different
women! Way to go , Stan!! The raffle continues to grow along
with people supporting this so I'm very proud to say that WE
raised over $7,000 this year and with an anonymous donor from
Duke (who only matched a small number of teams...and we were
one) contributed over $5100. That's $12,000 from this year alone.
WOW. And after 9 years of doing this our total is over ...$87,000
!! Next year we just may pass the $100,000 mark! I'm in awe,
and so very proud of everyone who has helped make this such a
success. It's all because of you.
What I found-or felt from the crowd that day was a sense of "ownership"
in this thing. It started out as a way to honor John and help
others, but as we have grown older-and lost friends-it has become
a way to make a difference to someone else, to give back something
- to help others. That leads me to the personal stuff.
My niece Miche', has been fighting a brain tumor for the past
17 months. Tho not related to John by blood, she had the same
type of brain tumor. I've traveled to Richmond to help care
for her. 37 years young, wonderful mother of 2 children, married
for 16 years to a loving husband.......she lost her battle with
a brain tumor early this morning. At home with her husband,
mother, sister and myself by her side, she passed away peacefully.
Her children were able to give her a last hug, to say "I
love you , Mommie." Now, she's in Heaven singing with the
Angels. An hour or more after the funeral home had taken her
body away, her 4 yr old daughter, Meredith came into the kitchen
and asked, "Where's Mommy?" Later still, she was found
sitting in front of an empty hospital bed, crying, all alone.
I just hate this disease.
The brain tumor fundraiser is called "Angels Among Us".
I used to think that it referred to those that had passed on.
That they were the " Angels Among Us". I know now
that it refers to each and every one of you, as you have helped
someone else face this horrible disease, You have given them
hope for a tomorrow. You are the angel's among us. Thanks
so very much.
From my heart to yours,
Diane Stephenson
This disease robs someone of so much: thought, reasoning, speech
and writing. When John was sick Abbie Samuel brought over her
world famous macaroni and cheese, which John loved. As she walked
in with that dish, his eyes were focused only on that aluminum
pan. He got up and went to his wallet in the bedroom and tried
to get some $ to pay her. When I explained to him that she brought
it for him, his eyes lit up. "You mean it's free?"
Yes, it's for you, John. "Well, then can I eat it now?"
He nearly knocked me over getting to that mac and cheese. Thanks
Abbie, for another special memory.
I'm often asked where we got the name Hoepuccky.
John wrote it in a birthday card for his best friend Mark Rubin.
It was the last thing he wrote, he died a month later.
You can still donate directly to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke. Please remember that all contributions made online should be designated for/from Hoepuccky team OR, send a message to Diane and she will contact you.
The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke 
Mission/History |
Meet
the Doctors | Donate*
The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke is celebrating 70 years of hope for its patients and families. The Center is one of the largest and most successful in the field. It has received the highest rating of "Outstanding" by a National Cancer Institute peer review group's evaluation of the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center over the last ten years. Dedicated entirely to the treatment and cure of brain and spinal tumors in children and adults, they combine the resources of a leading research hub with a commitment to the best in patient care.
*Please remember that all contributions made online should be designated for/from Hoepuccky team.