Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Melanoma Research Foundation
New York Gala Volunteer Highlight
Melanoma Research Foundation
New York Gala Volunteer Highlight
September 3, 2024
September 3, 2024
New York Gala Volunteer Highlight –
Susan Reynolds
New York Gala Volunteer Highlight: Susan Reynolds
Guest blog post by Susan Reynolds, New York Gala Auction Co-Chain, Volunteer Chair, Advocate and MRF Supporter:
Guest blog post by Susan Reynolds, New York Gala Auction Co-Chain, Volunteer Chair, Advocate and MRF Supporter:
“Michael stood on the top step of the ladder carefully securing the wires of the primary colored, geometric-shaped floating mobile to the ceiling above my critically ill, two-year old son’s bed in the Pediatric ICU. A few months later, he observed me sitting alone in the funeral parlor staring at the casket holding my child and brought me a glass of water, silently wrapping an arm around my shoulder, offering comfort to a grieving mom. That happened within the first few months of meeting Michael. Thoughtful, compassionate, kind – that was the man who would become my brother-in-law.
“Michael stood on the top step of the ladder carefully securing the wires of the primary colored, geometric-shaped floating mobile to the ceiling above my critically ill, two-year old son’s bed in the Pediatric ICU. A few months later, he observed me sitting alone in the funeral parlor staring at the casket holding my child and brought me a glass of water, silently wrapping an arm around my shoulder, offering comfort to a grieving mom. That happened within the first few months of meeting Michael. Thoughtful, compassionate, kind – that was the man who would become my brother-in-law.
Michael’s biological mother had passed from melanoma when he was just an infant. Twenty years later, he was diagnosed with his first melanoma. For the next twenty five years, his face and body transformed into etchings of battle scars from surgeries to remove the cancers. He wore those scars defiantly – each one strengthening his resolve to beat the disease. During this time, he fell in love with my sister, Paula. They married and were blessed with two baby boys, Jack and Andrew, both who are genetically predisposed to developing melanoma.
The skies darkened years later when Michael lost his battle with melanoma at just 45 years old. Jack and Andrew, 13 and 11 at the time, had to bury their father. And they had to watch their mom bury her husband, and their grandparents bury their son. Andrew, who has Down syndrome, struggled to process the overwhelming and unbearable grief. As the older son, and while dealing with his own grief, Jack did whatever he could to help his mom and Andrew.
Michael’s biological mother had passed from melanoma when he was just an infant. Twenty years later, he was diagnosed with his first melanoma. For the next twenty five years, his face and body transformed into etchings of battle scars from surgeries to remove the cancers. He wore those scars defiantly – each one strengthening his resolve to beat the disease. During this time, he fell in love with my sister, Paula. They married and were blessed with two baby boys, Jack and Andrew, both who are genetically predisposed to developing melanoma.
The skies darkened years later when Michael lost his battle with melanoma at just 45 years old. Jack and Andrew, 13 and 11 at the time, had to bury their father. And they had to watch their mom bury her husband, and their grandparents bury their son. Andrew, who has Down syndrome, struggled to process the overwhelming and unbearable grief. As the older son, and while dealing with his own grief, Jack did whatever he could to help his mom and Andrew.
Michael and Paula had helped me to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart after my first son, Ryan, died. Paula had been like Ryan’s second mom, and it broke her to lose him. It was Michael’s love that got her through. It was unimaginable to think that years later she would be faced with burying her husband – her children’s father – an incredible man who displayed integrity, inspired honesty and effused strength. Losing Michael was devastating to all who loved him, but witnessing my sister suffer such immense grief once again was unbearable, and my empathy for her could not be measured.
Michael and Paula had helped me to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart after my first son, Ryan, died. Paula had been like Ryan’s second mom, and it broke her to lose him. It was Michael’s love that got her through. It was unimaginable to think that years later she would be faced with burying her husband – her children’s father – an incredible man who displayed integrity, inspired honesty and effused strength. Losing Michael was devastating to all who loved him, but witnessing my sister suffer such immense grief once again was unbearable, and my empathy for her could not be measured.
It was only fitting that I felt Michael’s spirit and love with me over the past few years as I wrote Ryan’s story, WHILE I BREATHE – a tribute to his life and love. Michael and Ryan didn’t get to know each other here on earth, but I know they are together in heaven. They both loved deeply and they know how profoundly we love them back. Sometimes, grief is the price we pay for love.
It was only fitting that I felt Michael’s spirit and love with me over the past few years as I wrote Ryan’s story, WHILE I BREATHE – a tribute to his life and love. Michael and Ryan didn’t get to know each other here on earth, but I know they are together in heaven. They both loved deeply and they know how profoundly we love them back. Sometimes, grief is the price we pay for love.
In Michael’s memory, and for all those who were at risk of developing melanoma, I felt a desperate need to do something to help fight this horrible cancer. I was guided to the Melanoma Research Foundation and became a member of the Host Committee for the NYC gala, then subsequently took on the roles of Silent Auction Co-Chair and Volunteer Committee Chair for the galas for the many years that followed, and to this day. My devotion is steadfast and I feel immense gratitude for all that the MRF does for our loved ones and for the melanoma community!” - Susan Reynolds
In Michael’s memory, and for all those who were at risk of developing melanoma, I felt a desperate need to do something to help fight this horrible cancer. I was guided to the Melanoma Research Foundation and became a member of the Host Committee for the NYC gala, then subsequently took on the roles of Silent Auction Co-Chair and Volunteer Committee Chair for the galas for the many years that followed, and to this day. My devotion is steadfast and I feel immense gratitude for all that the MRF does for our loved ones and for the melanoma community!” - Susan Reynolds