A double dare,
Why not have it here in New Orleans. We need all the tourist trade we can get and there are all sorts of attractions here - food, historical sites, food, casinos, food, golf, food, antiques, food, music, food, art, food, world class zoo, food,etc.etc.
There is great interest in the local medical community in rebuilding the regional care system. We can contribute by having an event focusing on awareness and possibly a screening. This is of great interest to me and I am willing to take on planning such an event.
I have also been involved in event planning and fund raising and could help with logistics and planning.
When I have a chance, I will check the calenfdar and w. the NO Tourist and Convention info center for possible dates.

Malka

New Orleans sounds great to me. I've done Vegas LOTS of times and it's fun, but it is very COMMERCIALIZED. NO is definately more personalbe and and much more character and the food is WAY better.

I've never been to New Orleans but have heard that it's amazing. I hope if this comes about Neil and I can come.
Sue

The first one was a family affair.

I'd love to see New Orleans but please not during the summer or hurricane season. And New Orleans has gambling also so we get all the good food, atmosphere, history in addition to gambling.

The first one was husbands and wives and Danny Boy brought his kids who were in their late teens or early twenties. We met for breakfast and dinner and were on our own the rest of the time. I think there were only about twenty some of us.

As to benefit, my husband came home a changed man. It was like somone had lifted a burden off his shoulders. I obviously had NO clue how much my having had cancer, not once but twice had affected him. There were no support groups when I did this so we were very much on our own. I don't know how much talking the 'guy' caregivers did, but they just seemed to absorb strength from each other in the realization that they were not alone in their feelings and fears. Brian had brought the Lance Armstrong yellow bracelets for everyone and my husband put one on and hasn't taken off since then. It was like a badge of honor. A couple of weeks ago, he had a procedure at the hospital and when I cut off the hospital bracelet, I accidentally cut off the yellow armstrong bracelet. He was so disappointed, it was like I had cut off his right arm. Fortunately I had another so it is back on his wrist performing whatever magic it does.

It was also great meeting people and as Gary has pointed out, somewhat sad because we lost so many that year. Would be fun if this comes to fruition. It really needs someone who had the time and knows the town where it will be held. I think that is what made it happen last time.

Take care,
Eileen

I'll throw St Pete Beach into the equation. Less costly than Clearwater Beach and just as good but more convenient to other destinations like St Petersburg, Tampa, Busch Gardens, Disney World, Ft Desoto Park. The water and weather are still warm well into late October and even though Hurricane season lasts until November 1, October is a very safe month. In fact this area hasn't been hit for many many years.

I am willing to look into wherever...I can check it all out and throw out some numbers and dates... are you talking maybe this Oct ?? Or a year ..Just out of curiosity ...

I think it is a personal choice on who comes with you .. In my opinion it would be anyone with interest in this ..

St. Pete is nice too. I think we would pretty much go anywhere, but if I voted my first choice would be New Orleans. I think we'd just leave the kids - otherwise we wouldn't be as relaxed.

I missed out on the reunion in Vegas and I still regret it. Being on the board for almost five years now, I know there are lots of survivors in my neck of the woods, meaning the eastern United States. How about Virginia Beach for a location? It's beautiful in October and the history here is amazing. It's not a bad drive from Florida or from up New York way.

Minnie

If October, please the last week. We have almost a month of Jewish holidays and I have a niece getting married. The weather here is also beautiful then.

Michelle, contray to media New Orleans is a great family city. We have one of the best zoos in the country in beautiful Audubon Park, an aquarium, Children's Museum, riverboat rides, World War II Museum, swamp tours. Also, there is much to do here and in the region that is very relaxing and also inexpensive.