Team I Do: Put yourself in the shoes of Dianne or Chuck, in Orange County, CA.  They met and began dating and fell in love.  Shortly after, Dianne was hospitalized and diagnosed with Stage IV Lymphoma.  With this terrifying news, Dianne told Chuck that he should run for the door – that her diagnosis wouldn’t be fair or fun for him.  Remarkably, Chuck said “Dianne, when God gives you a gift, you don’t give it back.”  And from that moment on, the pair knew they would fight tooth and nail to battle cancer and face the world, together.  Chuck proposed to Dianne at her hospital bedside.

Three months into a relationship, I can’t imagine that there are too many people who would have faced this threat the way that Chuck did.

After six months of excruciating chemotherapy and treatments, with Chuck by her side, Dianne is now in 100% remission.  And the two are due to be married this September.  Happily ever after ---

The story could end here, but instead, this astounding couple is selflessly turning their wedding celebration into a $10,000 fundraiser for Light The Night.  They are marrying on Friday and inviting their 60 guests to “walk with them after they walk down the aisle” as “[Team I Do|http://teams.lightthenight.org/TeamIDo]” on Saturday at The Light The Night Walk.

In addition, Dianne and Chuck are spending some time leading up to the wedding attending and hosting fundraising events – like a “Survivor Strut” Fashion Show.  And to top that all off, Dianne has also buddied-up with a Team In Training participant who is now training for a marathon in her honor.

Well, needless to say, this story just touched my heart.  Here they are, facing cancer (and kicking it's butt!), marrying the loves of their lives, and, if they didn't have enough on their plates, dedicating their special day to help LLS!   This type of generosity and selflessness does not come around often.   And I am honored to be a part of an organization with such beautiful supporters.

Do you know a unique fundraising or mission-related story?  I’d love to share it. Leave a comment or email me.