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Sometime in November/December 2010
Hi everyone, meet Oliver.
I met him about a week ago now. I was walking out of my office with a colleague on Market St. and saw him and his mom looking at a street drummer. Oliver was very much in awe looking at this guy. See, there's a guy near my office that sets up a full drum set right on the street and performs daily.
All I remember is knowing that I had to go meet this little guy. He just drew me in. Maybe it was his intense stare. Maybe it was because he is adorable. It was a moment I had to catch. So we went up and said hello.
And then we all got to chatting. Oliver's mom, Cecily, told me that Oliver had just been telling her that he wishes he could play the drums on the ocean. We all agreed that was a fantastic idea. I told him if he does do this and starts an ocean band or anything, I'd love to be a singer in it. He just kind of stoically looked at me.
And then I learned he has cancer. You can learn about his whole story here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/olivermosca
I lost my father to lung cancer in 2003. So, finding a cure for and helping people with cancer is something I care about. Also, drums always remind me of a life long metaphor between me and my dad.
I wanted to play the drums when I was a little girl, but my dad suggested I learned stringed instruments instead. For a myriad of reasons, he didn't support me learning the drums. He'd later say, "If you really wanted those drums, you would have got them." To which I'd reply, "Dad, I was 8. I needed some moral support." Then we'd both laugh. Then we worked it out. And from then on, anytime in my life that I'd go after something I really wanted, my dad would say, "you really wanted those drums, kid."
Yes, and today, I want to get Oliver a drum set. Well, I already did actually and I'm going to pick them up tonight. We'll be giving these to him at Ocean Beach this weekend. And, we welcome donations.
If you can give even $10, please visit the donations page titled Oliver's Drum Set & Hawaii. My goal is to raise $2,500. The drums cost about $250, but I've also learned that Oliver's mom and dad want to take Oliver on a trip to Hawaii because he wants to swim in the ocean. A warm ocean! Unfortunately, the Make-A-Wish foundation wasn't able to grant them this wish, so I'm thinking the wish deserves a second chance! (more information about this is on the Drum Set & Hawaii page)
This Web site is ultimately intended to help spread the word about childhood cancer and it is dedicated to all children and families dealing with it. To learn more, please visit the Drum Set & Hawaii page. And, while you're there, donations are welcome.
I'd love to hit our goal today!
After we (you and me) do, Oliver's parents have requested that any further donations go to The Hepatoblastoma Foundation or Children's Hospital Oakland Foundation, in honor of Oliver. I will be doing some publicity around that next. But first, we've got a drum set and a Hawaii trip to make happen.
A few thanks:
Daniel Oppenheim - for having the Ocean Beach idea at the same time I did:-) and encouraging me to make it happen.
Chris Fucanan - for reminding me that my help can go much further than one drum set.
Judy Olasov - for donating the first $20.
Michael Nolan - for housing the drums while we figure out possible alternative delivery plans thanks to the rain
Matias Drago - for being an educational and helpful drum sales guy
Matias' manager - for the 35% discount
Kevin Madden - for wearing his santa hat while helping me load the drums into my car
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