Darrelpalooza

My friend Darrel found out last May that he has Hodgkins Disease, a type of limpthoma cancer. Darrel and I went to high school and college together and have been good friends since our senior year in high school. He is a bassoonist and we have played in numerous ensembles, been to many parties, gone hiking, backpacking, and have traveled together. He's been a major influence in my life and although it has been hard to keep up with him since I moved to Texas, I wouldn't be suprised if we end up as life-long friends.

This picture was taken just after our graduation two weeks before he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Desease. He has been through four major chemotherapy sessions (6 weeks each) and lots of radiation. In January he found out that he had a malignant nodal relapse and would probably need a bone marrow transplant. His insurance only covers part of this operation.

Yesterday I found out that the CU Bassoon Quartet is going to have a benefit concert for him to raise money to pay for the operation. This quartet is made up of his friends in the bassoon studio at the University of Colorado-Boulder. They have some really great publicity and apparently hung their posters all over the city of Boulder. I am excited to see how the community responds, and certainly all of Darrel's friends. I believe there is a way to donate if you go to the website, so check it out.