April 26th

19 years ago today, I stood as Best Man for my friend Mike Wayne.

The bride, Christine, was stunning!  Her cousin, Marianne, the Maid of Honor, beautiful.

The ceremony went smooth; Mazel tov!

The reception, just like any other, except I still know that I could've DJ'd better.

Today, I wished my friends a Happy Anniversary, however, today was so much more than the 19th anniversary of their wedding.

You see, on June 13/2010, Mike and Christine heard words that nobody wants to hear.  Doctors told them that their 13 year old son, Jacob, had non-Hodgkins T-Cell Lymphoma.  Not only the fact that he was diagnosed, but, he was rushed to CHOC (Childrens Hospital Orange County) and was immediately put into a medically induced coma and chemotherapy was started.  Their son was literally fighting for his life. 

It was many days later, after many prayers, that we found out that the doctors decision to put Jacob into a medically induced coma and to start chemo saved Jacob's life!  Friends and family descended upon CHOC to give their support.  Marianne drove out on minutes notice to be by Christine's side. 

I don't know what to say about Jacob other than he is a pretty resilient young man.  His doctor's brought him out of his medically induced coma, he was told what was going on (tough for anybody let alone a 13 year old), and he decided that he was going to beat this disease.

Jacob was eventually released from the hospital to what can be described as "house arrest."  He really couldn't go anywhere but home.  Jacob wasn't in a position to be out and about with his friends, or out to dinner with his family.  The only place he was permitted to go was in the car for a trip to and from CHOC for his infusion treatments.

In the meantime, "The J-Team" was founded to raise money for LLS, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and more specifically, their Light the Night Walk.  As a team, we raised $28,077.71 in only 10 weeks!

On September 19/2010, Jacob got the green light from his doctors to walk in support of LLS and Light the Night.  What an incredible day that was; thousands and thousands of people at Angels Stadium, walking in support of LLS and a want to fight this horrific disease!

Jacob wasn't permitted to return to school for the first half of the school year.  He was home schooled and as 2011 came, March 21st was the date Jacob was given as the OK to return back to school.  He went back to school and I can only imagine that he was welcomed like a rock star!

10 days later, Jacob was honored by the Association of California School Administrators with their Every Student Succeeding Award, which is given to students who show academic success through adversity.

And if that wasn't enough, on April 6th, Jacob spoke before the LLS Board of Directors, presenting his story to them, culminating with LLS asking him to be their 2011 Honored Hero!

Here's where you get the "but wait, there's more!"  While at the meeting, it was announced by the Angels that they had selected Jacob to throw out the first pitch at an Angels game.  The date he was given to throw out that first pitch?  April 26th...his mom and dad's 19th Anniversary.

Tonight, we went to Angels Stadium...over 100 strong.  Whether we love baseball or we despise it, we went to raise money for LLS; $1000 total raised in one evening!  We went to see this young man, against all odds, throw out the first pitch before a Major League Baseball game!  We went to show support to our friends and let them know we will be there for them.  All on April 26th.

Happy Anniversary Mike and Christine!