Emcee for 25th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Tower Climb

This past weekend, I had the pleasure and TREMENDOUS honor of Emceeing the 25th Annual Tower of the Americas Climb for Cystic Fibrosis. Under the impeccable directorship of Mr. Hugh Farr and his team (including the very efficient, Ms. Shanna Puente), this year's fundraiser was HUGE success.

Gathering a total close to 1,000 climbers including the Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer, Josh Davis, Co-host of Longhorn Live Radio, Rachel Zanardi and Fox News Anchor, Monica Taylor. Everyone rose and shone on Saturday morning to help raise funds for this disease.

Thanks to these kinds of efforts, the Survival rate is rising every year. I was so touched and honored to meet one such TRUE Survivor (I always say that God gave me the title of "Survivor" to go and help and bring awareness to the true ones) such as Stephanie Steppers. Her mother shared with me that they received the CF diagonis when Stephanie was just 2 weeks old at which time the Dr.'s told her to take her baby home and enjoy her as much as she could since, at that time, the prognosis of survival was 12 years. Stephanie is now 26 yrs. old!!Here I am with her and the Director of the Lone Star Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis, Hugh Farr to whom I can't thank enough for always making me a part and allowing me to give, in my own way, to Cystic Fibrosis. I have a connection to Cystic Fibrosis through a fellow Greek friend, the classy Randall Boudouris whose daughter has Cystic Fibrosis. I feel blessed to have his friendship for it's thanks to knowing him that I now have the wonderful opportunity to be involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Hugh and I with the firefighter's that, along with Police Department Cadettes also participated! Nice eye candy for ladies that morning:)EVERYONE earned a reward, for some, it was the priceless reward of having helped raise the record breaking total of $60,000!! For others, it was that plus placing 1st, 2nd or 3rd with record breaking personal records. Particularly heartwarming was seeing ALL ages represented at this event.
Here's one of the younger participants receiving his 1st place award within his age range.Last, but not least, a very special participant with NO direct ties to Cystic Fibrosis, just there because he wants to help. Hugh decided that after having Mr. Reyes participate the 24 of the 25 years that this event has existed, it was time to give him a special token of appreciation. Since these climbs are usually VERY early morning...and it's brrrr out there..CFF made a special sweatshirt for Sam Reyes (photos courtesy of Dionicio Perez: www.dionicioperez.phanfare.com)