A Boston Love Story. Fighting cancer together.

IamTomIamTom Posts: 1,138
A Love Story In Boston. 

Stef & Johnny D’s trip to Fenway for Pearl Jam. 


If cancer could be cured by love Stef would have got on the plane home from her show with her beloved partner, Johnny, with an all clear, all traces washed away by the love of friends, life, music.

Pearl Jam was the beating heart that pumped through their three days in Boston, Fenway Park the pulse, friendship wrapped tight around both of their bodies from the moment they left home until they landed. Old friends flew in simply to be with them, others changed plans to be at their show with them, new friends were made.

Over twenty people came to a dinner for them at Mother Anna’s the night before the show, old friends flying in, driving in. New friends Henrik straight off the plane from Denmark, Cecilie from PJ Nordic, Matt and Jason half of the Fab Four whose fundraising made this trip possible. Friends, old and new, to celebrate Stef and Johnny and their battle facing Stef’s cancer, a two year old fight that isn’t over. A fight that’s included six months bedridden after surgery, brain surgery, hope, good news. Then a couple of weeks before their show the news the treatment isn’t working so the fighting goes on, the search for a second opinion, another treatment option. 

A dinner full of love, a coming together for two wonderful people battling and loving together. A dinner that set the tone for the whole trip, friends, love, laughter, tears. Through the next day, into lunch and onto the show, their show surrounded by friends at Pearl Jam, Fenway. Two years of chemo, surgery, uncertainty takes it out of you, takes it out of Stef so quieter songs were moments to take a seat, a breath, rest weary legs. Weary legs that danced, a body that rocked, moved, hugged loved, kissed and held Johnny. Together, at a rock concert, laughing and loving with friends and Pearl Jam. 

A celebration. A celebration of two beautiful people that kept going through lunch the next day and onto their flight home to Ft Lauderdale later that day. Live music bringing people together, lighting a fire of love amongst friends that burned brightly, a fire that’s embers glow fiercely merely a breath of a phone call, a visit, a message away from bursting into the most loving flames. 



***********************************

Thanks You...

James, your poster for Stef & Johnny was perfect. 

Änna, thank you for everything that helped this come together so well. 

Matt, Barney, Jason & Barry, without you this simply wouldn’t have happened. Infinitely better than nothing. 

Maciek, thank you flag and pin guru. 

Dawn, JB & Andrew. That’s one helluva cherry you popped on top of this delicious cake, thank you all. 

Ewa, thank you for all your help and support. Assistant extraordinaire. 

Ashlee, thanks for teaching me about throwing shade. 

The amazing member of the Boston PD who ensured Stef didn’t have to stand in the heat for ages waiting to get into the show.

And Johnny, for teaching us about fashion, wardrobe changes and simply flat out stylin’ Boston.

And every single person who supports Given To Live, quite simply nothing can be done without you. 
Given To Live -

Latest story - Declan at Slipknot is up on the website now at www.giventolive.com along with Kayleigh at Foo Fighters, Tony at Stereophonics and more.

Inspired by Pearl Jam, making live music dreams come true.

Comments

  • jjflashjjflash Posts: 4,815
    Chills. And smiles. Much love to Stef and Johnny D :heart:
  • ed243421ed243421 Posts: 7,624
    Great job done by all!!!


    AMAZING!!
    The whole world will be different soon... - EV
    RED ROCKS 6-19-95
    AUGUSTA 9-26-96
    MANSFIELD 9-15-98
    BOSTON 9-29-04
    BOSTON 5-25-06
    MANSFIELD 6-30-08
    EV SOLO BOSTON 8-01-08
    BOSTON 5-17-10
    EV SOLO BOSTON 6-16-11
    PJ20 9-3-11
    PJ20 9-4-11
    WRIGLEY 7-19-13
    WORCESTER 10-15-13
    WORCESTER 10-16-13
    HARTFORD 10-25-13









  • jacquelyncajacquelynca Yay Area CA Posts: 372
    Beautiful <3 
    IG and twitter - @jacquelynincali

    1994 - Bridge School Benefit, Shoreline Mountain View CA
    *** 1995 - 2015 High School, College, Broke, Having Kids***
    2016 - Temple of the Dog, Bill Graham Civic Center Auditorium, San Francisco CA
    2017 - Eddie Vedder, Bourbon and Beyond, Louisville KY
    2018 - The Home Shows, Show 2, Seattle WA
    2019 - Eddie Vedder, Ohana Fest, Dana Point CA
    2020- Oakland Nights 1 and 2
    2020 - Ohana Fest
    2021 - Ohana Fest
    2022 - Oakland 1 and 2

    "Watch out for music. It should come with a health warning. It can be dangerous. It can make you feel so alive, so connected to the people around you, and connected to what you really are inside. And it can make you think that the world should, and could, be a much better place. And just occasionally, it can make you very, very happy." -Peter Gabriel
  • pdalowskypdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 14,662
    One of the best things Ive read in here in ages

    Respect Tom. 
  • BLACK35BLACK35 Hanover, Ontario Posts: 22,438
    Amazing 
    2005 - London
    2009 - Toronto
    2010 - Buffalo
    2011 - Toronto 1&2
    2013 - London, Pittsburgh, Buffalo
    2014 - Cincinnati, St. Louis, Detroit
    2016 - Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Ottawa, Toronto 1
    2018 - Fenway 1&2
    2022 - Hamilton, Toronto
    2023 - Chicago 1&2
  • IamTomIamTom Posts: 1,138
    pdalowsky said:
    One of the best things Ive read in here in ages

    Respect Tom. 
    Thank you, Paul.
    Given To Live -

    Latest story - Declan at Slipknot is up on the website now at www.giventolive.com along with Kayleigh at Foo Fighters, Tony at Stereophonics and more.

    Inspired by Pearl Jam, making live music dreams come true.
  • A tear in my eye and smile on my face. Thank you for sharing.
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,090
    emma stone crying GIF
    www.cluthelee.com
  • F Me In The BrainF Me In The Brain this knows everybody from other commets Posts: 30,586
    Great work!
    The love he receives is the love that is saved
  • PJNBPJNB Posts: 12,622
    Chills and smiles here too!
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