Miss Shannon's Cancer Benefit - An Overdue Thank You.

How do you begin to thank someone for extending kindness or generosity?  It is a question I wrestle with every thank you card I write, which seemed a logical start to this post.  Sometimes the thank you that would seem the easiest to write proves the most difficult.  And the post that would seem to flow out of me the most challenging.  How do I repay the kindness and generosity I have been shown since my cancer diagnosis? 

Perhaps I’ll start with baby steps with a thank you to all those who helped to make my benefit happen. 

First, to my loving husband Bill, who put it all together. 

Craig and Robyn, the new owners of Lee’s for opening on a Sunday and giving us a place to hold the benefit.

Soundman Dan for providing his sound engineer expertise not only for the benefit but also for our 12 year run of Wednesday nights at Lee’s.

The Lee’s staff for coming in on their day off.

Stu DeVann for putting all of the livestreaming tech together for those who couldn’t make the benefit.  (Over 470 live streamed some part of benefit, wow!)

My sister Megan and niece Sabine for selling brownies for the cause and the owners of Bread & Chocolate for donating the brownies.  The outfit totally made it work!

The supremely talented illustrator Marieka Heinlen for creating and donating the “Twirl a Girl for Miss Shannon” buttons as well as Davina Sowers for her “Team Shannon” buttons. Both of them were a huge hit.

Photographer Sara “Dos” Pfeifle for the signs, decorations, donation boxes and Miss Shannon cutouts. 

All of the volunteers, you know who are!

My security entourage, who helped crowd control.  With my immune system not being on top of its game I needed to limit my contact with all of my well-wishers.

Don Sticksel for doing a special edition of his radio show on my birthday, Both Kinds of Music.  He called it “Music to Kick Cancers Ass by” and it featured some of my most favorite artists with special messages to me.  Here is a link to the show in case you missed it.  Miss Shannon’s “Music to Kick Cancer’s Ass by” Birthday Show.

Pablo Jones for helping Bill lay the groundwork and vision for the benefit

Emcee Colleen Kruse

Guest performers, Charlie Devore, Karen Paurus, Steve Clarke, Heidi Halvorson and let us not forget, Bill Butler singing his theme song.

The Southside Aces for their generous and surprise gift of my own CD to sell at the benefit, “She’s With The Band”.  (By the way if you still want one we have a few left…  contact Bill for details)

Of course all of the bands who all donated their talent and time, in order of appearance.

The Shannon Mac Band

The Holy Rocka Rollerz

The Modern Sovrans

The Southside Aces

The Jaztronauts

Vic Volare

The Riverside Swing Band

The Bad Companions

Ross Kliener & The Thrill 

It was such a whirlwind day, 9 bands and room full of friends and family.  It was hard not to get choked up and even now when I think about it gives me pause.  I’m just glad I had on my waterproof mascara.  The whole day and experience rendered me humbled and speechless that the thought of writing this post seemed insurmountable.  Would I forget to thank someone; would my words fail me?  Would I really be able to express my gratitude so that everyone who was there and those who were there in spirit knew how much it meant to me?  There were so many people there that day I didn’t get a chance to talk to, but I hope you all know how much I appreciate your support. 

It truly was one of the best days of my life!

As dark as this sounds, I couldn’t help but feel like I was getting this rare glimpse of being at your own wake.  It is a special thing for someone to get a chance to see how big of an impact they have had on others while they are alive.  Hearing people say the kind words that often don’t get said until it’s too late and you are no longer around was humbling and something I will always cherish.  It was a very moving thing and just in case I lose my battle I am glad I was there from start to finish to witness all of it.  At one point in our planning process Bill said “I feel like I’m planning a wedding for a tumor”.  We both got a good laugh out of it having planned a fairly elaborate wedding almost 14 years ago to the day.  When I relayed the comment to one of our friends they corrected me by saying “no, it’s like planning a funeral for a tumor, not a wedding.”  I like that idea a lot better.  Let’s bury this sucker!

So to conclude there are only two words that I can possibly say to all of you for your support, kindness, generosity and friendship and they are... Thank You!