Sharlee,
Danny Boy tried to get together a second Oral Cancer Gathering sometime in 2005. I have tried searching for the string but haven't found it. At first we didn't have many people interested, but then more people started saying yes. Problem was we had no real organizer and never could agree on a site and no one had time to investigate any of it. Danny and family went to Vegas themselves and I think if any of us had known that, we just would have gone out and said hello.

The meeting in Vegas was Sept 2004 and as far I am concerned, was a giant success. We were a very small group then, even on the forum. The photo album that Danny put together and continued to maintain after the conference was NOT just people who hadn't survived, but was photos of as many members he could get pictures of who might not be able to make the conference. I suspect it is now with his family although I do know it has been mailed to some members at times.

I think the group in Vegas was 20-25 which was small enough to allow us to meet for breakfast at one long table on Saturday and Sunday and really chat. The Friday Meet and Greet also went well. The one thing I was surprised about is when I broached the subject of going to this conference, my husband, who had been supportive through my treatment but basically considered me cured before I started radiation, was all for it. I guess I had no clue as to how much my Dx had affected him. He never said a lot the entire weekend, but somehow through that male communication with other males that I don't understand he came home undertanding that he was not the only husband on this planet worried about his wife and that it was OK to feel the way he did. Brian had passed out Lance Armstrong bracelets. It has never left my husband's wrist. Whatever happened in Vegas certainly helped him deal with my cancer.

I think a second gathering would be great. I also think you may find some of us old members willing to go if we can make it. Start a string to see who is interested and when and go from there. It was a great conference.

Take care,
Eileen