I would like to think both could happen. Depending on where and when it is, I might be able to come if something like this was held. I would like to if it's possible. Some times of year are better than others for me in terms of work (and I've taken on a huge new project at work for the coming academic year).

Nelie

Jordan - like anything else in life, it is what you make it. Go to a get together with a feeling of celebration, and that's what you will experience. You've just read three OCF old timers say they would be there, I think that speaks to people's desire to see the positive in things. No one wants to relive the negatives. These posts were speaking to why there was some reservation in some of us about getting together, not that it couldn't be a good experience, or that it shouldn't be done. And I see no reason not to remember good friends lost. What I remember about Danny and Glenn for instance was their amazining inner strength, and that memory makes some of that strength possible for me. I don't want to forget them.

I can tell you that we CANNOT have a reunion without talking about and sharing a laugh about Danny Boy. All of us that had the honor to meet this man will smile anytime we hear his name. I'd love to come to a reunion and bring my family, I wanted to come in 2004 but couldn't come on that particular weekend. I've always regreted not being able to attend. Sure we'll talk about the friends that have passes, we OWE that to them and to ourselves. But we'll also make new friends and new memories.

OK ..I am checkin some things out ..Questions though ..

Boston

Chicago

Las Vegas

Minniappolis

ANy other Sugestions !!!

I am thinkin big cities only because of airports ..any other ideas and I will check out locations !!

I think it is a good idea as well. I understand all the feelings. I am involved in a Fellowship that has a huge turnover rate and many of the members, new and old, end up on the 2nd page of the paper. At first I seperated so it wouldn't hurt so bad then I realized one of the reasons I was still around was to be fully invovled with the new people coming in regardless of how it may hurt if they didn't make it. My real responsi-bility is to be available. I still have real difficulty doing that. I have lost family to this disease as well and I have gained family. Putting faces to those who help me here would make loosing them hurt more of course. But putting a face to those who help me here would also keep me human. I spent most of my time at the Relay for Life with tears in my eyes. It wasn't so much for those lost, or fighting this as it was all those children and families that had that void in their eyes of the loss of a loved one. Selfishly I didn't want others to ever have to see that in my wife and son's eyes.

I will go back next year and celebrate the lives still fighting and I will help those families remember and hold those passed on in a special place. That's family and that's what is important but too often missing today. We are family. I would enjoy the opportunity to shake the hands of those who help me, either by just sharing with me here or making it possible for us all to be here on this forum. One thing that we all definately have is courage and perseverance. If you put that much these in one place, in person, lives are changed. Loosing someone sometimes makes it scary that we are loosing those things. That is what the new people bring. New courage and perseverance. We fill the place of our predecessors, not take the place but fill the space. This keeps us connected. I think it would be a nice thing.

Hell Gary I would like to put a face to the man that reminds me of me. I share with others the way you do here. Straight and direct. I respect that. I shared all loving and gooey when I first got to the Fellowship but after loosing so many I just started shooting it straight. The results were better. When I got here, because I was new and scared, I shared all loving and gooey. Not so much now I guess. But the bottom line is because of the things we all go through I love each and everyone here. If you get a very straight answer from me it means I love you enough to tell you the truth. That sounds like you Gary. Atleast the best I can tell without seeing your face. Anyway thanks to all those who work so hard to keep OCF going, those who got it going, and those coming to fill in the spaces.

Sharlee, Any of those cities sounds good to me. Boston is where I'm from and my parents still live in a suburb there, at least part time so that would no doubt be the most affordable for me. Though I've never been to Vegas, I can't say it has much of a draw for me.

Nelie

Brian-

I definetly wouldn't want any of us to forget people we lost. I lost my brother a couple of years ago and love to think about our memories, etc. No one wants that at all- I was just stating why I wouldn't want to go. It's too hard to hear about all of the people that this disease took. For me, sometimes it's easier to not think about what could happen. I'm just too damn young-like most of the people on here. Yes, those people should always be remembered- I guess some of the comments about so many people having lost their lives in the past 6 months just freaked me out. I like to think of stories like yours-10 year survivor.

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

I'm not certain I expressed well as to how much this helped my husband. What my husband got out of this conference, is that I AM NOT ALONE IN MY FEELINGS. That is so important! I had no clue. I'm just the dumb survivor. Do it.

Take care,
Eileen

I am checkin into some things..Right now I am having them look at like 100-150 people and like 50 rooms.. I know wishful thiking right !!! But it is a start to get some pricing ideas. I am talking to places in chicago and vegas right now and I am going to check Boston and Minniapolis. Any other locations people would like to find out about let me , know and I will check. I am going to contact the Velscope co. and see if they would be willing to be there with a rep and do Free exams as well as other providers that could maybe speak and or attend to see what is is really about. I want to see if we can get sponsors, to help offset some off the cost ..even if they can cover the banquet part of it or whatever ..then all anyone will have to worry about is travel & hotel. I want to see if we can get donations for door prizes and raffles to raise Money for the OCF. And I may even make an annoucement on a couple of other sites for Head and Neck cancer. I have also seen that there is a Bracelt and Ribbon for oral cancer awareness , so I hope to be able to have those there as well ..I may try to order some and raise some money here too !!! ANy other ideas will be appreciated. One more big thing ,,Photos and stories....WOULD LOVE THEM !! TO MAKE EITHER A BOOK OR A POWER POINT PRESENTATION !! EITher or Both !! More info to come on that !!