Stefanie C., one of our users at GiveForward.org, recently forwarded us this amazingly warm thank you note from her friend Kelli who is battling cancer.  Kelli has graciously allowed us to publish the note on our blog.  To give a little context, Stefanie and her friends raised $11,000 on her Giveforward fundraising page for Kelli’s treatments (and amazingly, did so without telling Kelli about it until they surprised her with the check at the very end).

Dear All,

How do I thank high school friends, strangers, dear colleagues, friends & family of the people I love, the Sisters, my Austin family, fellow teachers and counselors, wonderful people I have not seen in years, eight-year-old pals, cousins, folks I miss chatting with…?  Just to think about it moves my soul and reminds me that we can take care of each other.  If anyone on this Give Forward list needs us – we will help them, love them, and support them with the same generosity of spirit that you all shared with me.

I wish you could have joined me when the site was unveiled by three fantastic friends.  Once I wiped away tears of joy and shock, I thought -  I can now focus on healing; I can now take off work for chemo and not worry about my lack of sick-leave; I can now be assured that for the next five years I can cover my insurance costs.  Then I thought – how did you all pull this off without me knowing?  Very impressive:).

No one is ever ready for a diagnosis of cancer – physically, emotionally, or financially.  Your gift allows me to focus on what is important, my health and well-being.  These words do not seem adequate, but they are all I’ve got — thank you!

One last thing to the strangers in the group – you don’t know me, my work for social justice, my quirks, my love of nature, my delicious oatmeal raisin cookies… yet you reached out to me in my darkest hour.  That is the true reflection of a kind and giving soul.  Thank you for joining my healing journey.

With much love,
Kelli