Gratitude
The definition of Gratitude is: The quality of being thankful; Readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Through this journey I have come to the realization and understanding that no one does it alone. Once we enter this world it’s truly All Hands on Deck!!! This page is to honor and recognize all those who have not only helped me on this journey, but are integral to my life. Their contributions whether large or small have made an impact, which in my eyes are definitely the same... because the results don’t lie... from a simple smile, a shoulder to cry on, to my family and medical team, or my community rallying around me, the Gratitude I feel creates a ripple effect that we share throughout our entire existence.
A dear friend shared this poem with me as well as helped me design and layout this website. Her name is Jaime Brooks. She is just one of many who helped bring this site to life... and for her contributions to The Team, I will be forever Grateful…
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Ripples
By Danielle Doby
When you create a difference
In someone’s life
You not only impact their life
You impact everyone influenced by them
Throughout their entire lifetime
No act is ever too small
One by one
This is how to make an ocean rise
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The Teams that have helped me create this website and podcast are all extraordinary beings and have their own incredible story. They have been on this journey with me for many many years, from my businesses (Yin Yang Cafe’ and Kaya Club and Bistro), to my Career into Voice Overs and Commercial Acting and everything in between. We are Friends, We are Family, and They all are mentors and teachers, who have played a major role in my life…
THE PODCAST TEAM
Sean McNally, Stephan Roode, Tom Thon, Peg Thon
THE WEBSITE TEAM
Jaime Brooks, Jason Renai, Stephan Roode, Kembo Tom, Chris Brooks
PHOTO CREDIT
Pui Panich: Cover Photo, Gratitude Page, Podcast Photo
Jon Waits: About Page Portrait, Contact Page Portrait
Reggie Valentino: Store Page (Patches by Tulipcake)
THE MEDICAL TEAM
(from My first sign of sickness until today)
The Kaufmann Clinic- 550 Peachtree Street, Ste 1700 Atlanta, GA 30308-2262
Provider: Dr. Dmitriy M. Pelishev, DO * First Doctor's Visit after feeling ill 7/28/2016
A Special Thanks to The Nurses, Pharmacist, and Staff for playing an Incredible Role in My Healing.
Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, Northside Office, 980 Johnson Ferry Road, Ste 820, Atlanta, GA 30342
Provider: Dr. Huiming Hon, MD * Second Doctor's Visit... Also the Day Dr. Hon called Dr. Kelly May to set up My 3rd Doctor's Visit 8/25/2016
Northside Hospital Cancer Institute --- Atlanta Cancer Care Perimeter/Tower, 5670 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. Ste 1100, Atlanta, GA 30342
Provider: Dr. Kelly A. May, MD * 3rd Doctor's Visit 9/01/2016
Shelly Lloyd P.A.
Katherine Easton, LCSW, OSW-C , Oncology Social Worker
A Special Thanks to The Nurses, Pharmacist, and Staff for playing an Incredible Role in My Healing
Emory University Hospital --- Emory Winship Cancer Institute, 1365 Clifton Rd # C, Atlanta, GA 30322
Provider: Dr. Sagar Lonial, MD, FACP * 4th Doctor's Visit 9/01/2017
Christine Umstead, Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator at Emory Healthcare * My Bone Marrow Transplant was 10/10/2017
Catherine Fenner, PA
Sara Di Camillo, PA-C, MPH
A Special Thanks to The Nurses, Pharmacist, and Staff for playing an Incredible Role in My Healing which continues until today.
THE MAGNIFICENT 7
The Incredible Team that I put together after my diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma to help me move forward in the Healing process is made up of my Family and Friends... all who I consider Family... who are also Business Owners, Artists/Creatives, Community Leaders and My Neighbors. You may notice, it's just a tad bit over 7. This Team organized rides to and from my doctors appointments, organized meals, set up and organized online fundraising, as well as organized a Benefit/Fundraiser with Local Artist Donations for a silent auction and Local Atlanta DJ’S at The Marlay House, Decatur, GA.
Maria Moore Riggs~ Revolution Doughnuts
Anke Schofield~ Artist, Kollabs
Victoria Park~ Park Pet Supply
Alan Marsh
Jerilynn Beddingfield~ Gardner/Performance Artist
Stephan Roode
Pui Panich
Neil Carver~ Carver Iron
Dan Baerwald
Rich McNay
***Also I would like to say a Special Thanks to these individuals who played a major role in helping the Magnificent 7:
Jenn Comer~ The Marley House
Kai Alce~ DJ, ATL/DET, Producer
Keiran Neely~DJ, ATL
Kate, Eric, Ogden and Mila Shropshire Swetts
Steve Sparks and Family
***These are some of the Incredible Organizations, Key in Helping me Navigate My Medical Bills, Co~Pays, and Insurance Premiums, Rent/Bills through Grants:
* The Giving Kitchen, Atlanta, GA: The Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance to food service through financial support and a network of community resources.
A Special Thanks to Leah Melnick, Program Director
Donnie Wade, Gourmet International Food, SVP Foodservice Sales and Marketing
Kevin Clark, Lisa Spooner, Owners, Home Grown GA, Atlanta, GA
Courtney Spooner, Home Grown GA, Sew Thrifty 5 and Dime
David Katz
Brent Hall, Freewheel Farm
Carolynn Ladd, Private Holistic Chef
Evan Franklin Neal, Chattahoochee Queen
* The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: LLS is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS Mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
* Myeloma Co-Pay Assistance Program, Patient Aid Program, Urgent Need Program, Susan Lang Pay-It-Forward Patient Travel Assistance Program.
* A Special Thanks to Michelle Hollberg for Organizing, Ride for Reggie which raised money for LLS in My Honor & to All Those who participated in it.
* HealthWell Foundation: A leading non-profit dedicated to improving access to care for America’s underinsured. When health insurance is not enough, they fill in the gap by assisting with co-pays, premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
* Patient Advocate Foundation: A national 501(c) (3) non-profit organization which provides professional care management services to Americans with chronic, life threatening and debilitating illness.
*** No One does it alone and these are just a few of the people that I would like to give a special thanks to. They have added to my life and my journey in ways that have truly made a difference large and small. Also, I would like to thank my FaceBook Family as well as My Instagram Family for All the Prayers, Support and Kind Words for which I can never repay them in this lifetime.
Jeanie Crowell and Family (Mom)
Ken & Barbara Ealy and Family (Brother)
Big Vickie Kendrick
Linda J. Hart
Ellen Simmons
Katie Culp~Tulipcake, Small Batch Patch
Katie Dutch~ Collage, Remix Artist
Henry Finkbeiner
Paul & Sommer Sobin~ Thousand Petals Yoga
Jack & Lisa Atlman
Tye Fussel
Kembo Tom~ KTC
Ronnie Land~ Multi Media Artist
Neda Abghari~ Art Consultation and Curatorial Services
Tom Chesire
Jason Pittman
Chris Pinel
Yvonne Orchard
Gabriel and Julie Simpson
Kevin Carmen
Cheryl Hawkins
Adrienne Shelton
Verah Turner
Joel and Rocket Riggs
Karen Riggs, Colin Coleman and Family
Mark, Joanne and Lukas Hunt
Don & Audine Bergman
Tom Thon~ Thon Arts
Mike McGibony
Michael Harney
Paul Aarons
Tricia Adell
Caroline Alonzo
Erin “Pop” Gioka
Angie Flynn~McIver~ Ignite CSP
Allan Lewis
Charlie “Black Cat” Smith and Family
Brett “Big Sexy” Standish and Family
Kristen Eber and Family
Craig Timmons and Family
Hans~Martin and Svetlana Ruf and Family
Nanc, Ramon and Isabella Maldonado
Birgitte “Lotus” Thylstrup and Family
In Loving Memory:
Mattie K. Driskell
Gloria Driskell
Dr. Leroy Moore
Tommy Hamilton