The entire reason why Matthew and I traveled to Florida was so I could attend the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Family Support Group Conference. This was my first year to attend the awesome conference and it was one of my most WORTHWHILE conference experiences.
The conference is for people who lead cancer support groups for blood cancer survivors (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, etc.). My friend Kristen and I started our young adult support group last August and have had a good turnout, but this was an opportunity for me to learn new techniques and ways to involve the cancer center in our group.
The first night I was at the social hour on the 27th floor (really neat view of Disney World) and the lady behind asked me where I was from. When I told her Sioux City, Iowa she gave me a hug and said she went to Morningside College! She was the other facilitator from Iowa (near Iowa City) and we hit it off great. After that first experience I realized how friendly everyone was. I met two great women from Appleton, Wisconsin, a man from San Diego and a slow talking southerner from Alabama just to name a few.
On Saturday, after a busy day of training, Matthew and I headed down to the dinner in the ballroom and it was fancier than any wedding I have been to! There was mood lighting, wine on each table, a delicious buffet and a dj on the dance floor! After dinner and a few bottles of wine, the mostly female group (in their 40's and 50's) really got into the dancing. I never knew women my mother's age could bust a move to Lady Gaga. :-)
This was the second year the conference was held at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel in Orlando and I am hoping next year they host it on the west coast and Kristen is able to attend with me.
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