On September 21 I flew to Texas to meet up with one of our It’s Just Benign members Candy Wilson. Candy is involved in producing a concert/variety show fundraiser for brain tumor research for the NBTS. She was kind enough to invite me down for the weekend to help bring attention to It’s Just Benign. Candy and her husband Pete greeted me up at the Dallas Fort Worth Airport that Friday, and provided a very nice, furnished house for me to stay. I loved the house so much that I told them I would someday make it my vacation home! What great hosts they were. I had a wonderful and memorable stay.

The first night in Texas we ate at a place known as Wilson’s favorite Tex-Mex restaurant. What a great first Tex-Mex experience! Candy then showed me where the concert was going to be the following night. We enjoyed seeing her months of preparation pay off in bright lights as an announcement at The Plaza Theater. We then went back to their home, chatted, and played with their two Dalmatians. Normally I fear dogs but, these two were precious!

I woke up on Saturday excited about the concert. It was such a nice morning. Pete picked up for me my favorite coffee and Candy stocked up the house with food and snacks. After getting ready and having breakfast, I went out to run errands with Candy & Pete. We received a very exciting phone call before I started beautifying myself for the night’s event. IJB member Dianne Bonswell called and said she was going to meet us at the concert. I was so excited to meet another IJB member. I focused on getting ready and making sure I had all of It’s Just Benign’s literature for IJB’s promotion table.

Pete and I picked up dinner at 4pm for the cast and crew and then headed to the Plaza Theater in Garland, TX. The theater was crowded with the performers, crew, and supporters. I knew it was going to be an exciting event. Candy organized 12 acts and managed to get Fox 4’s Chip Waggoner to Emcee the event. I started organizing my table once we arrived. I had a bite to eat before watching the performers, and then attempted to relax before I would be called up on stage. The first act was great. There were singers, dancers, a violin, etc. I went to my table during intermission to connect with people.

In addition to speaking with IJB member Dianne, I also met other brain tumor survivors in Texas. Candy is in a group called Grey Matters and I met survivors and loved ones from that group. Everyone seemed so nice. I’m not sure why it is so difficult to meet survivors in NJ and the tri-state area because there are so many survivors here. Maybe that will change.

Chip interviewed me after the conclusion of the first performers during the second act. He asked me why I started It’s Just Benign and asked how it’s helping survivors. It went very quickly. It was very exciting and extremely generous of Candy to include IJB.

I stayed in Texas two more nights and on Sunday I saw family friends formerly from New Jersey that now live in Dallas. I haven’t seen them in six years. It was a really nice day with them. That night Candy, Pete, and I went out to eat.

Candy and Pete are such a cute couple and they are very nice. I wish they lived closer. I flew out early the next morning. Pete took me to the airport and I said my goodbyes.

It was a really nice weekend. My first trip as an It’s Just Benign representative was a blast and I hope I get to meet more IJB members.

“With Candy, her husband Pete, and Beth enjoying a Tex-Mex dinner.”

 

“Candy and me (Beth) at the Plaza Theater the night before the concert.”

 

“Candy & Pete with their beautiful Dalmatians.”

 

The theatre, in use by Candy (with performers).

Me with table.

New IJB sign.

Educating and conversing during the intermission.

IJB member Dianne and me.

Candy and fellow performer (and very good friend).