Why Front Row? Front row is an organization that we have aligned ourselves with because it has become a metaphor for how we live and think about our lives. Life can be fast paced and it's easy to get swept away in immediate gratifications making it difficult to be fully present and engaged in meaningful experiences. The recipients of a Front Row experience (those, young or old, that are faced with a life threatening illness) are given one day/ event/ night. Their moment to be fully present, completely detached from the challenges of their day to day life at an event of their DREAMS. For them and for their families the event becomes more than an experience, it becomes a postive memory that transcends the hurt of any previous struggles and in some cases the pain of loss after the event. "Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose." -the wonder years

In the words of Kari Smith- My mother-in-law is a classy lady with a zest for life that I hope to have one day. Her love of life and the desire to experience it to its fullest are her motivations to lead the active lifestyle she has grown so accustomed to living.

A long list of interests and activities fill her days:

golfing, skiing, piano lessons, playing bridge, going to the gym, keeping track of her 5 children, being there for her husband of over 50 years and taking her grandchildren on special outings, going to the theatre, concerts or recitals performed by one of her 12 grandchildren, traveling and reading.

When Patricia was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma this past summer, it hit all of us by surprise. In the quiet of her day, I am certain that Patricia struggles as does anyone faced with this reality. But I also know that each day she chooses to move forward and battle so that she wins and beats this.

On the days she may not feel up it, I pray that her family and close friends provide the love and support that get her to the next day that she can battle. I know my mother-in-law is a strong lady who embraces life for all that it has to offer. Having a part in giving her the experience to live life in the “Front Row” during this battle is just so fitting for her. More importantly, it is a gift of love for which words can never express yet a lifetime of memories that would forever remind her of that love.

Patricia has always been a huge fan of musicals. She is a season ticket holder at the Royal Alexander in Toronto and has always said "it’s great but not certainly not the same as seeing the show on Broadway in New York City."

"I think this would mean the world to her." - Mike and Kari Smith

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!