Have you met Stephanie? You should. She was in our very first Livestrong with the YMCA Cancer survivor class. With her mom. Yes, that is correct, they both fought cancer, and both beat it. For a time. Stephanie’s mom, Sharon, passed a few months ago after discovering her cancer had returned.

Sharon and Stephanie loved making things pretty. If you attended a Black Tie for the Y event and noticed the silent auction items had extra flair or the furniture was arranged just so, or heard beautiful stringed instruments, you were enjoying the fruits of Sharon and Stephanie’s labors.

One of Sharon’s requests last fall was for friends and family to plant tulip bulbs in hopes she would be here to see the beauty in the spring. Stephanie was there, and so were many others.

Stephanie performs in a string trio. She lives downtown. She now volunteers with the Muskegon YMCA Food Distribution Friday – and she’s amazing.

You can continue Sharon and Stephanie’s ability to GIVE OPTIMISM by donating to the Day of Giving campaign. You donate $20.21 in honor of someone, then use the provided email to let them know you honored them, and ask them to join you in donating and honoring someone. Spread the joy.

Livestrong with the YMCA GIVES OPTIMISM to all participants, and it spreads. Donate today, and enjoy the tulips when they come up in a few weeks.