Cherish the Day

Good morning fb fam, woke up to some awesome news on fb, one of our men of the year candidates Kevin Hall Candidate for 2012 Man of the Year for LLS for OC, IE after 206 days of one of the hardest things someone can battle, he is now 100% Cancer FREE. Truly amazing! & Puts things into perspective, so many times we think we have it rough or face some of the hardest things in life, and although wesay "we know someone out there has it worse" I don't think we take the time to think "what are we complaining about, someone out there is REALLY facing much harder things yet still waking up cheerful & enjoying the day," so why can't we? Honor those currently battling, who have lost their battle, and who have survived their battle, and show that regardless of what you may face in life you can still put on a smile and enjoy the day you have been blessed with. ♥ I know I will. Have a great day yall ♥ Stay fresh... stay blessedღ

My Personal Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Story

Today is the one-month anniversary for something in my life... and I wanted to share it with you all... Back in October, I was nominated to be a candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Woman of the Year to raise money and awareness about blood cancers.  As my dear friend Evelyn Erives put it, I wasn't directly connected to blood cancers, but I was directly effected by them because it touches my heart.  I heard stories and saw people affected by blood cancers and I wanted to help in any way that I could. So when the nomination came, there was no way I could turn it down.  Some may consider this to be a coincidence or some weird twist of fate, but I have always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, I don't know how many of you know this, but four weeks ago today, I lost someone extremely close to me to Lymphoma Cancer. Her name was Lala and she was my baby, my child, and my world for the past 8 years. She was my everything. She was loyal and loved me unconditionally. Not a day goes by that I don't miss her or think about her. Life is so different without her and I wish so very much that she was still here with me, wagging her tale and licking me to death the way that she always did. Even though she wasn't human, she and I had this way of communication like no other; she would stare into my eyes, speaking to me the way that only she and I could understand. When I was sad or cried, she always knew, and always came to comfort me, she would make me laugh and make my heart smile. I never felt lonely because I always knew that with one pat to my leg or blow of a kiss she would be running over with not just her tale wagging, but her whole butt. Lol, I even laugh now thinking about it.

Until I was told what Lala was diagnosed with from the vet, I didn't even know that dogs could get cancer... period. The only gave her a month or two to live. I am so glad that I got to share over 6 months with her after her diagnosis. Even the last month when she started to lose weight rapidly and slowly started to lose that pep in her step she never for a moment whimpered in pain or snipped at anyone out of frustration, she was still always there for me, as if she was putting herself to the side to stay strong for me. One weekend her illness took a turn for the worse and I knew it was time for me to let her go. It was one of the hardest things I had to do, but I had no choice, I had to put myself to the side and be strong for her, just as she had done for me all those years before. With tears in my eyes and pain in my heart I said good-bye to my best friend in the whole entire world. She taught me so many things and helped me through some of the toughest moments in my life.

Losing her was one of the hardest things I've had to deal with, I still deal with it daily, and I have had to face some pretty hard things in life. But in losing her, it opened my eyes so very much. It made me think, if losing a pet who was considered part of my family to a blood cancer hurt this much I couldn't even imagine the feeling of losing an actual family member to a blood cancer, the pain must be 50 times worse if not more. But people go through this daily, hourly... every four minutes someone new in the US is diagnosed with a blood cancer, every FOUR minutes! And every ten minutes someone in the US loses their battle to a blood cancer... every TEN minutes. I saw Lala go through things during her treatment that I could never imagine a parent having to see their own child go through. You see even in her passing Lala taught me something, and helped me pull through because she helped me realize nothing that I could ever suffer from or complain about could ever be worse than what many others suffer from daily. This is why we must raise money by donating and encouraging others to donate, this is why we must raise awareness about these blood cancers, so that no child, no adult, no pet, should ever have to battle cancer.

I hope after reading this, you have a bit more insight as to why I am raising money for this foundation, where part of my motivation comes from and where my heart is.  I hope you will join me in raising money and awareness. I'm hoping that you will make a donation today; no amount is too small because every penny counts. If you donate just $10 dollars today and share this story with 10 others and they all donate the same amount, that is $100 dollars donated. Everyone just by lending a helping hand, maybe you won't go out to eat for lunch today, but instead pack a lunch from home, so that you can make a difference by donating today.

I thank you all for your time and for your continued support. Please know that whatever you can donate is greatly appreciated and it goes directly to the foundation. Your tax-deductible contribution can help us get one step closer to reaching our goal of  $50,000 and naming a LLS research funded grant after Lala. Be a "LaLa Supporter" be a "Leader & Loving Supporter" and donated today by going to www.LLSupporter.com

To find out more information on cancer in animals you can watch this video --> Cancer in Dogs & Humans Connected or you can visit this site http://caninecancerawareness.org/

To find out more information about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society you can go to http://www.lls.org/

To find out more information about my campaign visit www.facebook.com/Felicia4OCIEWOY

Felicia Alcaraz Featured in the Orange County Register

So excited to share this Orange County Register OC Latino Link article with you all. Be sure to check it out and read about my campaign Felicia Alcaraz for Orange County/Inland Empire LLS 2012 Woman of the Year, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Orange County/Inland Empire Chapter and Man & Woman of the Year - Orange County/Inland Empire Chapter and for the cause. And feel free to share it with others! =) xoxo mentioned in the article is the lovely Evelyn Erives, 99.1 KGGI "The IE's Hottest Music", Chapman University, Brandman University, Century High School, and so much more ;0)


http://www.ocregister.com/articles/lls-340873-year-woman.html

R.I.P. Lala 12/27/03 - 2/13/12

You will never be forgotten, you will forever have a place in my heart. My world will never be the same without you... I can't even type this without tearing up... you saw me through so many heartaches, helped me get through so much pain, & often times you were the only thing that could cheer me up. You weren't just a pet, or a dog, you were my child, my heart... I loved you with every ounce of me and now you are gone =*( I truly lost my very best friend.. no words can describe the heart ache I feel... I will love you always Lala... Not a day goes by that I don't think of you and all the wonderful memories you left behind, you will forever be missed...

December 27, 2003 - February 13, 2012

THE LORD TRULY WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS ♥

A telemarketer called my work trying to sell me off on a company that could help promote myself and my business (how she got this number I have no idea). her pitch was "wouldn't you like to know if someone googled your name, they would easily be able to access you to network with you and view your resume" I told her if someone googled my name right now, they could easily get in contact with me. She laughed, tried it and said "wow, a lot of listings come up..." then there was a pause... she asked, "were you really nominated to be a candidate for the LLS 2012 Woman of the Year?" I said yes and she said, "my mother has Lymphoma Cancer, she had it last year, it went into remission and came back, she will soon be getting a stem cell transplant." This woman over the phone, whom I've never met nor spoken to a day in my life, spent 20 minutes on the phone with me talking about her mother, and how they both know all about the LLS non-profit and how great & helpful the people there are. She applauded me for my willingness to raise money for cancer research and patients, she said it was a very noble thing and from speaking to me over the phone she knows I will do great things for this campaign =*)

Lately, I have seriously been stressing over how I will manage Full-Time Work, Full-time school as a graduate student, and this campaign. I have been getting turned down left and right from companies when I've asked for help or assistance with my campaign... and I started having second thoughts, wondering if maybe I bit off more than I could chew this time... I even spoke to my mom about it earlier today... Then this happened! ... Make no mistake, this is not some "coincidence" this is the Lord working his magic and letting me know yet again, that I am in right where I need to be, doing what I should be doing... and as always, reminding me, that I never face things a lone, he is always with me, and will always push me when I need to be pushed. Well I def felt this shove ;0) & I will continue to do what is in my heart, raise awareness, and touch people's heart in such a way that they can't help but be apart of this wonderful cause ♥ Our God is indeed an Awesome God! and to the Telemarketer Nicole, where ever you are, thank you so very much for the call, & btw we never did finish the "sales" part of the call haha we had the kind words and wished eachother well and then hung up lol I wonder what this company was... =) xoxo Stay fresh... stay blessedღ

MLK *WEEK*

One of my ultimate favorite quotes by MKL is "Faith is taking the first step, even if you don't see the whole staircase". I used that quote in my 2011 Chapman graduation speech, it speaks volumes to me, and its validity has proven itself time and time again. I know when u have dreams, goals, & aspirations, they can seem exciting yet frightening all at the same time b/c you don't know how they will turn out if you pursue them, but you can't worry about that... you just gotta try, b/c regardless of the outcome or the things u face ahead, u r still achieving something just by trying ;0) I'm sure MLK hoped for great things but didn't know the outcome. I'm sure he didn't think he'd be as widely respected as he is today, if that isn't motivation 2do something spectacular than i don't know what is hehe. so give it a try, i know u will go far! ;0) Honoring the gr8 MLK. xoxo Stay fresh... stay blessedღ

January Newsletter *Happy New Year*

      Hello all! First let me say Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!  Thank you to everyone that sent holiday cards, texts, emails, etc they were all so creative and so wonderful to receive. I can't wait to see what blessings 2012 has instore for us all! Can you believe it? 2012 already? Where did the time go? I know the next few months will be just the same and will fly us by. 

     That is why I wanted to touch basis with all of you at the beginning of the year, to ask for your help in advance. As many of you know, I was nominated to be a candidate for the 2012 OC/IE Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year. I will be raising money for this wonderful foundation. With the campaign less than two months away, we must begin planning, please email me if you would like to help during the campaign and let me know if there are particular areas you would like to help in.

    My campaign to be Woman of the Year will need as many volunteers as possible, to send out campaign letters to companies, to help organize events, to help during events, to help recruit other volunteers, to cook food for events, to set up equipment for events, and so much more, but mainly to spread the word & promote events

    Again, please let me know if you are interested, I'm sure if everyone were willing to help with at least one event we would have enough people for every event. It could be another thing to add to your list of wonderful deeds, and it really is for a great cause.

    I especially wanted to reach out to anyone with a new business or anyone that you might know that would like to promote his or her current or upcoming business. There are many opportunities to do so in this campaign, some things even require no work at all.  Please let me know if you would like more information on this.

    I would love to have you all be apart of our team "Leaders & Loving Supporters" it's going to be one amazing and fun experience.  We are also still in need of prizes and/or auction items, if you would be available to assist with this please contact me, I would love to hear from you.

    Mark your calendars: Online monetary donations will be an option starting March 8th at 12:01 am at this link so don't forget to bookmark it: http://ocie.mwoy.llsevent.org/FeliciaAlcaraz

You can also visit http://www.feliciaalcaraz.com/ for more information.

Again no words could express how much I appreciate all of your help & support throughout these past few months and these upcoming months, I truly am blessed to have you all in my life.

Wishing you all many blessings for 2012,

  felicia Alcaraz 

FeliciaAlcaraz@Live.com

December Newsletter *Video Announcement*