Hey it’s me, Dan Hart. It has been a while since I have posted a blog so I thought I better get back into it. Let me start off with how hectic life has been. Since my last blog I went to an amazing conference hosted by my mom’s doctor. I have to say I was blown away. The people we met were amazing. My brother, sister, mom and sister in-law all went together. I went to the conference with one thing, no expectations. I left with more knowledge and gratitude than I could have ever imagined.
While we were at the conference mom ran into a couple of people she knew from her support groups. One man really stood out, he had tubes going into his nose, it was obvious he was ill. Mom mentioned how much worse he looked since she last saw him. Let’s call him Bob. We also ran into another really nice couple, most likely in their 60’s. The husband is a 3 year lung cancer survivor. He had 2 of 3 lobes in one lung removed and the other lung no longer worked. He was told 3 years ago he had 3-6 months to live. Guess he proved them wrong. Looking at this man you would never know he was sick, you could tell that he had smoked, actually he looked like a smoker. He is living with only 20% of what a normal person has for lung capacity yes he was walking around just like you and I. The best part is he could not wait for the first Saturday of Nov 09 as this would be his third conference given by Dr B, my mom’s Dr. It was refreshing to know after 3 years his life was so normal.
On Nov 3, 2008 I had the pleasure of taking my mom to her chemo treatment for the first time. Again I went with no expectations. The infusion center was comfortable. They even had a place for guests to site. Mom and I sat there and watched TV (each station has its own TV) It was nothing like I imagined. The Moore’s Cancer Center brings pleasure to those dealing with Cancer. Mom had her big treatment that day. I must say I am grateful for being able to share that day with my mom. After all she held my hand when I was 11, on Halloween, getting my appendix out. Chemo reminded me of donating plasma, yet you do not have the side effects or fear of whether or not it is working.
Oh yea, you also do not have the statistics looming in your mind, after all statistics say 5 years. Mom is a fighter and so are we (her kids)
After my pleasure of taking mom to chemo I had to face the fact I was no longer employed. While I quit my job based on values and respect, the fact I did it in such a tough economy makes it hard. The great part is I am pouring all of my heart and soul into the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation. The LMLCF.org is still new and funding is limited; however, emailing and talking to people that are in need and bringing them the help they so deserve makes me sleep well at night. One of the friends I met through the foundation, who is also dealing with stage IV lung cancer, told me my calls to her help to keep her going just another day. She doesn’t have anyone else to talk to, yet when I call she picks up the phone right away. The amazing part is we never talk about her illness, we talk about her goals. She enlightens me and I hope to thing I bring a smile to her face.
There is no purpose to this blog other than the fact if you believe in your heart and you make a change in ONE person’s life it will go on and on and on. Pay it forward and do it everyday.
God Bless,
Happy Thanksgiving 2008
Dan Hart
www.LizMartocciLungCancerFoundation.org
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Where do you find enough hours in a day?
Tonight as I start this blog I have to say today has been very similar as the past few days. There are more things to do than hours in the day. How is that always the case? How do I leverage my time more to ensure I have the time to devote to the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation? How did the other lung cancer foundations that walked before us do it?
What keeps me going at times like this? Several things, getting incredible emails and updates from people we as a lung cancer foundation have helped. You can’t help but to smile when you know you have helped someone living with lung cancer, someone possibly faced with their last breath. I, as the president of the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation am humbled every time we get an email from someone we have helped. I guess it kind of helps me personally on a different level. I live 350 miles from my mom, who as you probably know, is currently living with lung cancer, and all that goes along with it. Helping others and reading and hearing their stories helps me deal with the fact I am not there with mom in person.
Daily I focus on that “letter” from the IRS coming. The letter stating we are finally approved as a 501c3 organization. It seems that for so many that one (maybe two) pieces of paper make such a difference. Those waiting for us to get that piece of paper must feel we have finally worked hard enough to be legitimate. Honestly I am not sure we worked hard enough, yet I know we have all worked with persistence and without resistance. We again were not going to allow people to tell us “no”. We were simply going to find out how to get where we wanted to be, and ask a ton of questions along the way.
So how does the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation move into the next generation? As many successful organizations know the answers are sometimes unknown. I do know this; most new businesses do not survive their first few years in business. Since the foundation is all about survival of lung cancer patients there is no way we can fail. We simply need to improve our fund raising efforts. There are hundreds of people every week that deserve to benefit from the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation. That does not include the millions of people that need education on Lung Cancer.
To kick off Lung Cancer Awareness Month the LMLCF.org is launching a wrist bracelet campaign to help educate elementary school aged children on the risks associated with smoking. This campaign will bring awareness to children as well as their parents. Lung Cancer is commonly known as the silent killer. In the majority of cases lung cancer is found in the later stages, when surgery to remove the cancer is often not an option. If you are interested in purchasing a bracelet please contact lungcancerfoundation@gmail.com
With Warm Regards,
Dan Hart
www.LizMartocciLungCancerFoundation.org
What keeps me going at times like this? Several things, getting incredible emails and updates from people we as a lung cancer foundation have helped. You can’t help but to smile when you know you have helped someone living with lung cancer, someone possibly faced with their last breath. I, as the president of the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation am humbled every time we get an email from someone we have helped. I guess it kind of helps me personally on a different level. I live 350 miles from my mom, who as you probably know, is currently living with lung cancer, and all that goes along with it. Helping others and reading and hearing their stories helps me deal with the fact I am not there with mom in person.
Daily I focus on that “letter” from the IRS coming. The letter stating we are finally approved as a 501c3 organization. It seems that for so many that one (maybe two) pieces of paper make such a difference. Those waiting for us to get that piece of paper must feel we have finally worked hard enough to be legitimate. Honestly I am not sure we worked hard enough, yet I know we have all worked with persistence and without resistance. We again were not going to allow people to tell us “no”. We were simply going to find out how to get where we wanted to be, and ask a ton of questions along the way.
So how does the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation move into the next generation? As many successful organizations know the answers are sometimes unknown. I do know this; most new businesses do not survive their first few years in business. Since the foundation is all about survival of lung cancer patients there is no way we can fail. We simply need to improve our fund raising efforts. There are hundreds of people every week that deserve to benefit from the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation. That does not include the millions of people that need education on Lung Cancer.
To kick off Lung Cancer Awareness Month the LMLCF.org is launching a wrist bracelet campaign to help educate elementary school aged children on the risks associated with smoking. This campaign will bring awareness to children as well as their parents. Lung Cancer is commonly known as the silent killer. In the majority of cases lung cancer is found in the later stages, when surgery to remove the cancer is often not an option. If you are interested in purchasing a bracelet please contact lungcancerfoundation@gmail.com
With Warm Regards,
Dan Hart
www.LizMartocciLungCancerFoundation.org
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The foundation has had an amazing week.
Today has been a tough day. Mainly because I allowed it to be. I am to blame for it, yet tomorrow will be better.
The foundation has had an amazing week.
We held our first of many fund raisers on 9/24/08. You can view some of the pictures at www.lizmartoccilungcancerfoundation.org/fundraiser It was a HUGE success. I am so happy and grateful our mom was there to see it. The kind words she spoke on her audio brought tears to my eyes. Since that night her spirits have been so high, I know they will continue to be that way.
We founded this foundation for ONE reason, to help others, not our mom. However on 9/24/08 it helped our mom more than I could have ever imagined. Having all of these strangers to he show up and donate their time for such a great cause, named after her, sparked a new lite in her eyes.
Personally I could not be more proud of where we are heading. We after only 3 months are helping complete strangers, with the help of complete strangers. I am overwhelmed when I read emails such as “It just arrived. Again, Thank you so much. We really need it.” Coming from a women who’s rent we were able to pay for the last two months.
My life has changed a great deal over the past 4 months, all for the better. I give more than I ever imagined I could.
When we started this foundation we never had a clue what it would do. Simply one person at a time we are changing the world. The butterfly effect I like to call it. Make another’s life a little better and it comes back 10 fold.
I am facing my own personal challenges, yet the foundation and inspiration I find in people faced with this devastating disease makes my challenges seems so small.
I am going to close, but I hope you support our cause as much as me and our board and family members do. Just look at the pictures of my mom, with a huge smile and so much gratitude and you too will know its all worth it.
With Love and Gratitude,
Dan Hart
www.LizMartocciLungCancerFoundation.org
The foundation has had an amazing week.
We held our first of many fund raisers on 9/24/08. You can view some of the pictures at www.lizmartoccilungcancerfoundation.org/fundraiser It was a HUGE success. I am so happy and grateful our mom was there to see it. The kind words she spoke on her audio brought tears to my eyes. Since that night her spirits have been so high, I know they will continue to be that way.
We founded this foundation for ONE reason, to help others, not our mom. However on 9/24/08 it helped our mom more than I could have ever imagined. Having all of these strangers to he show up and donate their time for such a great cause, named after her, sparked a new lite in her eyes.
Personally I could not be more proud of where we are heading. We after only 3 months are helping complete strangers, with the help of complete strangers. I am overwhelmed when I read emails such as “It just arrived. Again, Thank you so much. We really need it.” Coming from a women who’s rent we were able to pay for the last two months.
My life has changed a great deal over the past 4 months, all for the better. I give more than I ever imagined I could.
When we started this foundation we never had a clue what it would do. Simply one person at a time we are changing the world. The butterfly effect I like to call it. Make another’s life a little better and it comes back 10 fold.
I am facing my own personal challenges, yet the foundation and inspiration I find in people faced with this devastating disease makes my challenges seems so small.
I am going to close, but I hope you support our cause as much as me and our board and family members do. Just look at the pictures of my mom, with a huge smile and so much gratitude and you too will know its all worth it.
With Love and Gratitude,
Dan Hart
www.LizMartocciLungCancerFoundation.org
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Another Chapter
Well I haven’t blogged for awhile; mom is doing really well with her chemo The first couple of chemos made her feel not so good. I think her body just had to get use to the poison going in her body to kill the other poison that’s already there. Two weeks ago mom came to Brittnee’s soccer game, it was her first game of the year and we won only reason mom came to this game because it was in the am mom doesn’t do to well with sunlight. Early that week we got some good news from the doctor moms tumors are shrinking. Wow this is the best news our family has gotten since we started this mission. We were all very excited mom always has in the back of her mind that the chemo won’t work. Well now I guess she can erase that part and put positives back in there like the blues fundraiser concert that we just had out in the desert. Who would think that we would have the success that we had at the Blues Concert. My brother and his friends set it up. I would like to thank them for doing it and much thanks to the bands for there time.
My wife and Mom went with me out there and on the way out there I got a speeding ticket first time in about 13 years i guess i was just pumped up to go out there for this great mission that we are doing but the funny thing about the ticket it was I got it about 20 mins outside of were I live.
Mom also got a new companion when we got home she got a new Yorkshire terrier her name is Penelope and seems to make her very happy. When I saw the dog last night I told her we should rename the dog to splinter, you know the rat from the teenage mutant turtles that’s what she looks like but she is a cool dog. Well in closing I just want to thank everyone for there support in my moms recovery from this deadly disease this has been the best journey in my life that I can say I am proud of and with continued support of our mission pledge we can help other families with there journeys because we have experienced first hand.
With Love,
Jeffrey Hart
My wife and Mom went with me out there and on the way out there I got a speeding ticket first time in about 13 years i guess i was just pumped up to go out there for this great mission that we are doing but the funny thing about the ticket it was I got it about 20 mins outside of were I live.
Mom also got a new companion when we got home she got a new Yorkshire terrier her name is Penelope and seems to make her very happy. When I saw the dog last night I told her we should rename the dog to splinter, you know the rat from the teenage mutant turtles that’s what she looks like but she is a cool dog. Well in closing I just want to thank everyone for there support in my moms recovery from this deadly disease this has been the best journey in my life that I can say I am proud of and with continued support of our mission pledge we can help other families with there journeys because we have experienced first hand.
With Love,
Jeffrey Hart
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation Blues Concert at the Rhythm Room Sings Success
The Liz Martocci Cancer Foundation Blues Concert at the Rhythm Room to raise money for the charity on Wednesday was a success with numerous Blues Bands lending their voices and talent to a heart felt cause. A huge list of bands played to assist cancer survivor Liz Martocci including: Blind Ronnie’s House of Blues, Bluzone, Uvon, Gary Jordan, Krismson Chord, The Flamekeepers and more.
“The raffle tickets and cookies alone were enough to collect hundreds of dollars,” said Foundation President Dan Hart. The Rhythm Room provided blues recording CDs and other prizes for raffle ticket winners. Home made chocolate chip, peanut butter and snicker doodle cookies were donated and available for sale at the event. “The generosity of the community and music lovers was a true help to the foundation,” Hart added.
Cancer Survivor Liz Martocci was on hand to witness the festive concert. “I was very pleased at the turn out. I had no idea that so many people would be so generous as to give their time and art to the cause. I am deeply appreciative of all the bands. They played so well. People sang and danced all night. It was a pleasure to watch,” Mrs. Martocci.
This was the first Fundraising Concert for the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation. A minimum donation of $5 or more was collected at the door with the assistance of the Rhythm Room staff. Those requesting more information about the foundation can visit the foundation website at http://www.LizMartocciLungCancerFoundation.org or contact the foundation directly via email: lungcancerfoundation@gmail.com.
The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation began on July 9, 2008 with one purpose in mind to help those faced with this horrible disease, living without insurance, find and receive the medical treatment they so deserve. Often the middle class hard working are often the ones that can not get the help and support needed during such a tough time. The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation is here to help those faced with the challenges of the “system” while offering support, resources and compassion.
“The raffle tickets and cookies alone were enough to collect hundreds of dollars,” said Foundation President Dan Hart. The Rhythm Room provided blues recording CDs and other prizes for raffle ticket winners. Home made chocolate chip, peanut butter and snicker doodle cookies were donated and available for sale at the event. “The generosity of the community and music lovers was a true help to the foundation,” Hart added.
Cancer Survivor Liz Martocci was on hand to witness the festive concert. “I was very pleased at the turn out. I had no idea that so many people would be so generous as to give their time and art to the cause. I am deeply appreciative of all the bands. They played so well. People sang and danced all night. It was a pleasure to watch,” Mrs. Martocci.
This was the first Fundraising Concert for the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation. A minimum donation of $5 or more was collected at the door with the assistance of the Rhythm Room staff. Those requesting more information about the foundation can visit the foundation website at http://www.LizMartocciLungCancerFoundation.org or contact the foundation directly via email: lungcancerfoundation@gmail.com.
The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation began on July 9, 2008 with one purpose in mind to help those faced with this horrible disease, living without insurance, find and receive the medical treatment they so deserve. Often the middle class hard working are often the ones that can not get the help and support needed during such a tough time. The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation is here to help those faced with the challenges of the “system” while offering support, resources and compassion.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
What a Blessing Life Is
WOW what a roller coaster of emotions I have been enduring. When there was the “fear” of mom having lung cancer back in June of 2008 I never imagined what the road ahead might look like. The road has been filled with many bumps and pot holes, yet it has been filled with many successes.
This month has been a challenge for all of my family, the economy is tight and gas prices are through the roof. We (myself, brother and sister) all drive 30 plus miles each way to work. That means on average we spend $14 (post tax) a day on fuel. That makes going to work a cost of $280 a month, not including other costs like wear and tear.
This month has also been a HUGE success for mom. Her tumors have shrunk and her spirits are high. Today she has chemo and tomorrow, based on how she feels, she is coming to Phoenix. I could not be more excited that mom is visiting Phoenix for two reasons, first she is going to be blow away by the number of people that will be in attendance at the first ever Live Fund Raiser for the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation, but also it is the first time mom has seen my home since it burned down in April 2007.
Today something completely out of the blue happened, yet I knew it would to a degree. The foundation received an amazing donation. It was at the perfect time as we have 3 people, living with lung cancer, looking for help. As a foundation this donation meant the world, it meant changing our wording from “we will help you when we can” to “we WILL help you”. When people are faced with a life challenge, offering support and help is all they need to move them forward. Listen to my mom’s audios and you will know this is true.
While starting the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation has been taxing on everyone involved, I am speaking for myself, it has been far worth the effort. Knowing that the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation is helping to make the lives of lung cancer patients easier helps us all to sleep better at night.
With Love,
Dan Hart
About the Foundation:
The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation began on July 9, 2008 with one purpose in mind to help those faced with this horrible disease, living without insurance, find and receive the medical treatment they so deserve. Often the middle class hard working are often the ones that can not get the help and support needed during such a tough time. The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation is here to help those faced with the challenges of the "system" while offering support, resources and compassion.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Coming to Terms With Lung Cancer: Singing the Blues on Stage
In 2004 doctors told legendary singer Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown that he had lung cancer but instead of getting blue, he went on stage and happily sang the blues. At that moment, the 80-year-old refused treatment and said "no one's gonna cut me open" and preferred to spend his days doing what he had always done - living his life.
Well not everyone has the attitude to do the same. Facing cancer is one of the most difficult challenges a person can experience. There is no right or wrong way to feel about your diagnosis. What matters is being able to cope so that you are able to experience the good parts of each day along with the difficult parts that lung cancer will place in your every day life.
Coping is widely defined as one's way of handling difficult situations. Although the definition is broad, a person's individual strategies are quite precise. There is no right way to cope with the diagnosis of lung cancer. People handle cancer in different ways, just as people cope with any life problem in a different way.
The first reaction many people have after being diagnosed with lung cancer is shock. The feeling of numbness may be particularly distressing but it is quite normal. It is your mind's way of keeping you from being overwhelmed. Your thinking may seem disorganized at first, as your mind is likely to be filled with questions and concerns.
Through her bravery, fortitude, determination, and tenacity, Liz Martocci works on a daily basis to free her body of cancerous cells in order to live a long, happy, and fruitful life with her family and friends. Please come have the blues with us in support of the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation which will be holding its first Fundraising Concert at the Rhythm Room on Wednesday September 24. The doors open at 7p.m. with a minimum donation of $5 or more is appreciated. For more information on the foundation visit http://www.lizmartoccilungcancerfoundation.org/
The Rhythm Room "Phoenix's Roots and Blues Concert Club" is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road Phoenix, Arizona 85014.
The benefit show for Liz Martocci, cancer survivor, will include a huge list of blues bands including: BLIND RONNIE'S HOUSE OF BLUES, BLUZONE, UVON, GARY JORDAN, KRIMSON CHORD, THE FLAMEKEEPERS and more.
The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation began on July 9, 2008 with one purpose in mind to help those faced with this horrible disease, living without insurance, find and receive the medical treatment they so deserve. Often the middle class hard working are often the ones that can not get the help and support needed during such a tough time. The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation is here to help those faced with the challenges of the "system" while offering support, resources and compassion.
Well not everyone has the attitude to do the same. Facing cancer is one of the most difficult challenges a person can experience. There is no right or wrong way to feel about your diagnosis. What matters is being able to cope so that you are able to experience the good parts of each day along with the difficult parts that lung cancer will place in your every day life.
Coping is widely defined as one's way of handling difficult situations. Although the definition is broad, a person's individual strategies are quite precise. There is no right way to cope with the diagnosis of lung cancer. People handle cancer in different ways, just as people cope with any life problem in a different way.
The first reaction many people have after being diagnosed with lung cancer is shock. The feeling of numbness may be particularly distressing but it is quite normal. It is your mind's way of keeping you from being overwhelmed. Your thinking may seem disorganized at first, as your mind is likely to be filled with questions and concerns.
Through her bravery, fortitude, determination, and tenacity, Liz Martocci works on a daily basis to free her body of cancerous cells in order to live a long, happy, and fruitful life with her family and friends. Please come have the blues with us in support of the Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation which will be holding its first Fundraising Concert at the Rhythm Room on Wednesday September 24. The doors open at 7p.m. with a minimum donation of $5 or more is appreciated. For more information on the foundation visit http://www.lizmartoccilungcancerfoundation.org/
The Rhythm Room "Phoenix's Roots and Blues Concert Club" is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road Phoenix, Arizona 85014.
The benefit show for Liz Martocci, cancer survivor, will include a huge list of blues bands including: BLIND RONNIE'S HOUSE OF BLUES, BLUZONE, UVON, GARY JORDAN, KRIMSON CHORD, THE FLAMEKEEPERS and more.
The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation began on July 9, 2008 with one purpose in mind to help those faced with this horrible disease, living without insurance, find and receive the medical treatment they so deserve. Often the middle class hard working are often the ones that can not get the help and support needed during such a tough time. The Liz Martocci Lung Cancer Foundation is here to help those faced with the challenges of the "system" while offering support, resources and compassion.
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