Le monde de fromage de Kate

Last LIVESTRONG® Day, May 17, 2006, I participated in one of the suggested activities: Blog Against Cancer. It was in a comment from this entry that I first became “acquainted” with Mic:

Hey you all,

for the LAF I’m a Cancer Survivor. I have recently lost my father for a tumor, but I continue being strong and wearing the yellow wristband in memory of my dad, granddads and other people. Few years ago I received some advices from Lance and the LAF and they still are very preciuos[sic]. I own a blog on www.micheleer2.splinder.com: here there are on the right-hand side some links to the LAF etc and I was wondering if I could add this blog (and possibly others for the fight against cancer) to my links.

Look forward to receiving an answer.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Michele Capaccioli

We exchanged links (oh, this cyber age) and I began to correspond with Mic (that’s the equivalent of “Mike” for all you Americans – but pronounced “MEEK,” more or less). I learned a few things right off the bat from his site: He loves “sport,” he likes Family Guy and The Simpsons – and – sheesh – there was something else – OH YES – he is a passionate, articulate grassroots supporter of Worldwide collaborative cancer advocacy.

As I have mentioned in passing, my Italian is not too great (unless you’d like me to speak the lyrics to arias and art songs in a realistically conversational manner); I also know some threatening phrases and several that could get me in *ahem* trouble on the streets of Italy. Luckily, Mic’s English is FAR better. In fact, he speaks SIX languages – WAIT – seven: Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, and some Russian and Japanese. I hate him. (I’m KIDDING Mic – I’m being FACETIOUS.) He has a university diploma in Social Science and is now studying International Sciences and European Institution. I HATE HIM. (Again, Mic, you know I’m teasing, ci?)

He began discussing his goal to build a website that focused on important social issues, particularly cancer advocacy, and invited me to take part in this endeavor. I feel very strongly about these issues (as if I haven’t made that obsessively clear already), so I was honoured by the invitation. He did all the hard work, I made a few suggestions, and the site launched officially, as I mentioned in passing, on February 23, 2007. I am the American/English Web Site Advisor and I have a section on the page called “Believe in Life.” Mic, Official Site Founder Extraordinaire, writes about five hundred sections (slight exaggeration) and has coordinated with friends, family and colleagues who are writing or editing other sections.

Please bear in mind that I have not successfully fulfilled all my obligations as American/English Web Site Advisor, but you are not to hold that against Mic. His English is impressive, especially considering that when you speak seven languages English can only be MORE confusing and illogical than it already is. Wait – I should tell you HOW to access the English site (unless your Italian is far better than mine). If you land on the Italian home page, just hit the tiny American flag (top, right-hand) and you’ll be in the English-language section.

Now I’ll mention another of Mic’s worthy undertakings. He and a colleague are putting together a European Cycling Team to participate in the Ride for the Roses at the LIVESTRONG® Challenge in Austin, Texas. In order to participate in this celebratory event honouring the LAF‘s most successful and enthusiastic supporters, each participant much raise at least $10,000 (USD) before September 4, 2007. Mic’s personal goal is to raise $25,000 (USD). I have made a commitment to assist him in this ambitious undertaking. Mic has explained to me that it’s difficult to raise money in Europe; people aren’t well acquainted with the Lance Armstrong Foundation and don’t understand the amazing scope of its influence and the positive effects this charity has in the World. I hope that the International collaborative work compiled on WeMustAct.org will be influential as an educational tool in this regard.

If Mic makes it to Ride for the Roses, he made this promise to me:

I would like to do that this year, riding in memory of the people you mentioned in your first two articles if you allow me to do that. In fact, even if I have to wear ‘hundreds’ of piece of papers in which there will be written names and names It does not a matter.

So, PLEASE, in accordance with the well-worn proverb, “Every little bit counts,” consider making a donation to Mic and to this cause. Every single dollar goes to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the incredible work it does. Click below to get to Mic’s fundraising page:

Please take a look at this inspiring video featuring Lance Armstrong. Consider joining the “army” that will make cancer a national priority.

You could also:

• Send an eCard to a friends and family with a link to the Lance’s video.
• Be part of LIVESTRONG® Day, May 16, 2007. Here’s more information:
  

  LIVESTRONG Day is our annual grassroots advocacy effort to unify people affected by cancer. In its fourth year, the goal of LIVESTRONG Day is to raise awareness about cancer survivorship issues on a national level and in local communities across the country. LIVESTRONG Day is about doing something to make a difference in the fight against cancer.

  

  You can apply to represent your state on Capitol Hill on LIVESTRONG® Day, apply to organize a LIVESTRONG® event in your own community, or just get additional information about LIVESTRONG® Day 2007.

• Earlier this month, Lance Armstrong was featured in a one-hour special presentation, Saving Your Life. If you missed the broadcast (as did I), you can listen to an audio podcast on the Saving Your Life website.
  
  

  You can also watch survivor videos, locate a cancer screening center near you, share your story of survivorship and more.

• Read Lance’s CNN op-ed piece, Lance Armstrong: Patience running thin with D.C..
• Join the LIVESTRONG® team and receive the LIVESTRONG® and Advocacy newsletters
• Support the Lance Armstrong Foundation by wearing and buying yellow. Even your DOG can wear yellow now!
• Take a look at this heartbreakingly beautiful photo essay, The Bride Was Beautiful, that captures a bittersweet moment in the fight against cancer in series of striking images by 2006 NPPA award-winner, Romain Blanquart (thanks for posting the link, Terry).

Zeke, a wee, shy little toy poodle belonging to William, Sarah and Shirleen escaped AGAIN from their yard last night. He is, primarily, William’s dog, and since William is out of town, Zeke took the opportunity when he was let out into the back yard to sneak through the little gap between the fence and the gate to go and look for his boy. If you happen to see this tiny dog:

This time is he IS wearing a aqua/green-colored collar and has a microchip as well. He will be confused, bedraggled and probably hypoglycemic. Please call the number on the poster (it’s a Utah Valley number) if you find poor little Zeke or leave a comment here. THANK YOU!

First, please attend the second annual Simon’s Birthday Lemonade Stand. Here’s the information, provided by his lovely Mother, Mary:

Classmates, friends and family of Simon Vodosek (who died of cancer in 2004 at the age of 7) will celebrate his life with the second annual Simon’s Birthday Lemonade Stand for Pediatric Cancer Research on what would have been Simon’s 9th birthday. The lemonade stand was inspired by Alex Scott, another child diagnosed with neuroblastoma, who took matters into her own hands and decided to fight the disease one glass at a time.
10% of all purchases at Liberty Heights Fresh on May 17 go directly to the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, along with all proceeds from the freshly squeezed organic lemonade, donated by Liberty Heights Fresh. Store hours are 8:30 am to 8:00 pm.
Simon’s favorite clown, Marcus, Funny Man Who Does Tricks, and of course, birthday cake will add to the fun:
4:00 pm