***

I would like to add that, as much as I love the show Outlander, and as much as I admire Sam (who is truly an amazing person and far more than a pretty face, I assure you, please familiarize yourself with him!), I do have a very personal connection to this cause besides simple star-struck idol-worship.  You see, I was born with a lot of birth defects and health problems.  I spent the first several weeks of my life at Touro Infirmary in the NICU, and the first fifteen or so years of my life I was a frequent visitor at Children's Hospital and Medical Clinic. I started school before IDEA was passed (legislation that says that students with any kind of disability must be accommodated in the school where they would normally attend, not be sent to a designated school that "handles" special cases), so I spent a lot of time with other sick children, children in head scarves with brachial shunts, children who looked and were different from most of the rest.  I also spent a lot of time with doctors, nurses, needles, operating rooms, medicine, IVs.  I still do spend time with doctors and medicine.  In fact, I went into medicine as my vocation - I have worked in medical offices since college and am getting my MBA in healthcare management.  

As to cancer itself, we have had some brushes with it in our family.  My father was a radiational test subject while stationed in the South Pacific during his time in the Navy.  He had skin cancers for the rest of his life after that and we suspect his exposure may have caused some, if not all, of my health issues.  I have had skin cancers removed, including one that was pre-melanoma, but was fortunately found in time.  

Through all of this, since I was born, I was lucky to have the amazing medical care of Touro Infirmary, Children's Hospital, Tulane Medical Center, and all the doctors associated therein; plus the doctors I have seen since as an adult. Though my health issues are numerous, chronic and will be with me my whole life, they are completely treatable.  They are challenging, inconvenient, painful, bothersome - all sorts of words.  What they aren't is life threatening.  

Blood cancer most certainly can be life threatening.  And while medical centers all over the world are working on treatments and cures, people are still sick and dying.  Much is being done, but for every person who is sick, every person who loses their battle, that is one too many.  

I'm hoping you will donate for both my physical and musical performances.  I'm hoping you will donate to help fund research for blood cancer treatment. 

Thank you

Kim 

www.kimhickeyflute.com

@flutist_kim