events for weekend 7/8

[helderheid]

I want you to be aware of 2 weekend events and a young writers workshop, as well as the passing of an extraordinary activist, Andy Stephenson:

D4U HOUSE PARTY THIS FRIDAY, JULY 8
John Gailey and Eileen McCabe-Olsen are hosting a house party
this Friday at 7 pm in West Jordan. Eileen says, "We will be
discussing healthcare issues and the Downing Street Memo . John
has obtained videos from Progressive Democrats of America for
these topics. I also have some material on the Supreme Court,
judiciary committee, and recess appointments. John will be
bringing stickers and other materials. There will be light
refreshments."
For directions and to RSVP, see:
http://tinyurl.com/9a9xg

Carla Kay Daniel will be showing a DVD this Sunday at 5:00 p.m . at her home, 127 North 500 West, Clearfield UT 801 776-0585. The DVD is "The World According to Bush"

The second Rant! Workshop for young writers meets July 18-21. The class is filling quickly but there are still a few spots left for writers age 11-13. Call Heather if you want to register.

I hope to conduct a third workshop in August. Please contact Heather with any questions.

Heather Hirschi

521-9137


Andy Stephenson passed away last night after his battle with pancreatic cancer . http://www.andythanksyou.com
Many of us who have been fighting for fair elections, exposing the election fraud in 2004, and working for voter verifiable paper ballots knew and loved Andy.

The unfolding of Andy's health troubles began in January this year, when he became ill while in Washington DC lobbying with other activists for the Ensign Bill (see our action alert at http://www.udpc.org/alerts.htm ). He saw a doctor, and the problem was thought to be food poisoning.

Upon returning home to Seattle, Andy developed jaundice. In early February, he was diagnosed with Hepatitis A, and was ordered to 6 weeks bed rest. Within several days, Hepatitis had been ruled out, along with a possibility of Scarcoidosis. He was scheduled for Feb. 18th Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography. It was then discovered that Andy had a collapsed bile duct due to a tumor surrounding the duct where it passes through the pancreas. Tissue samples taken showed that the tumor was consistent with malignancy.

Over the next many weeks, Andy became increasingly ill, and underwent a number of medical tests, including an Endoscopic Ultra Sound in order to look at the pancreas in finer detail.

Andy was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital on March 25th, with diabetes type 2, brought on by the stress on his pancreas.

Pancreatic cancer was diagnosed in April, and surgery was initially scheduled in Washington for May 2nd. But as pancreatic cancer is notoriously aggressive, a group of Andy's friends scoured the net for venues with the best rates of recovery. They were able to secure Andy treatment at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, ( a world renowned facility for the best survival rates with this deadly type of cancer).. Dr. Charles J. Yeo, M.D. at Johns Hopkins scheduled surgery for May 10th.

Andy had no medical insurance, so his friends, supporters and people of good-will came together and raised the money required for his treatment in mere days. Unfortunately, on the day of scheduled surgery, the payment checks were temporarily lost in the hospital's mail room, and surgery was rescheduled.

On May 25th, Andy underwent a long and difficult surgical procedure called a "Modified Whipple".

After a painful recovery from this serious and complicated surgery, Andy was released from the hospital for further recuperation at the home of a friend. He was finally able to return home, to continue his healing from surgery. Andy will be beginning a course of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in late June.

Andy was readmitted to the hospital in late June fighting an infection, and later suffering a mild stroke.

Andy Stephenson passed at 9:27 PM PDT last night. May he rest in peace.


Clarity Sanderson, UDPC Internet Outreach
Utah Democratic Progressive Caucus
Office: 801 485-4076
[e-mail]
http://www.udpc.org
Democratic Action Through Individual Participation