Earlier this month, many of you had the opportunity to attend the tenth SOBCon event in Chicago. It was a fantastic weekend, and we were thrilled that SOBCon’s co-founder Liz Strauss could join us. As many of you know, Liz has been dealing with throat cancer for the last few months. So it was wonderful to see her out and about, proving that Liz doesn’t back down from any challenge.
Following that event, a group of SOBCon folks and other friends who couldn’t be in Chicago had an idea. Liz has given so much to so many in the community, what if we did something for her?
Liz’s diagnosis of Stage 4 cancer last fall came with both physical, emotional, and financial burdens. To fight the cancer required extensive chemo and radiation. On top of her treatments, Liz also suffered a fall that broke her hip and shoulder. As a result, Liz was confined to the hospital from December through March. She has been through the crucible.
So while a recent CT scan and laryngoscopy both showed no signs of cancer, Liz is still dealing with the fallout of cancer treatments and broken bones. LizÂs ability to travel and speak professionally, her primary source of income, has been placed on hold as she continues to heal. For the next few months, Liz finds herself in the incredibly frustrating situation of needing to work, but not yet having the physical strength to do so.
So when we asked the question, what can we do, here’s what we came up with. We can’t help Liz heal faster, but we can ease the financial stress. To that end we’re creating an auction fundraiser with all proceeds from the fundraiser going to Liz.
We’ve received some wonderful and generous donations. In fact, a few items that came in were so generous that it just confirms how much people love Liz and want to show their support. And based on the response we’ve gotten to our initial request for donations, we wanted the community at large to have the opportunity to participate and show their support, too.
If you have an item that you’d like to donate for the auction fundraiser, please fill out this form on Podio.
The auction will launch in early June, and we’ll provide more details shortly on when and how you can participate. We’ve also received requests that we make an option available for people to donate directly. That donation link will go live in early June, too.
Again, thank you all for the support and know that Liz appreciates all the many kindnesses that have been sent her way in the last few months.