Your Prayers Are Working!

Hello my wonderful friends and family!

So many of you have reached out to me in more ways than I knew people could. I want you to know all of your loving support, your prayers, your positive thoughts, and great vibrations are creating miracles for me.  I've had an amazing week and am feeling strong and empowered.

For those who don't know, in the Zumba community we do fundraisers (FUNdraisers, really) called "Zumbathons." There are Zumbathons for pretty much anything you can think of: "Party in Pink" for breast cancer awareness, "Together We Dance" to find a cure for ALS, and "Party Hearty" promoting cardiovascular health, are just a few of the more well known events. On a local level, our Zumba community in the California Coachella Valley has also done some Zumbathons for:

• People in need of emergency funds
• Scholarships
• Boys and Girls Club
• Child Abuse Prevention
• Relay for Life
• Arthritis Foundation

If you've never done Zumba but are interested in supporting an event, just visit http://zumbathon.zumba.com/ to see what's happening in your area. And, no, you don't have to know how to dance to participate. You'll meet really great people and have a terrific time. I promise!

So what does a Zumbathon have to do with your support and my miraculous strength and healing?

Well, some of my dearest friends and fellow Zumba instructors have been organizing an annual Zumbathon to award one deserving high-school student a scholarship. The instructors donate their time, and our resident Zumba DJ, David Ponce (aka DJ Boost) donates his pounding equipment and spinning skills to create an event with massive energy and fun! This year, thanks to the encouragement of  Johanna Sanches, one of my angels on earth, the coordinators gave the scholarship in honor of me on Superbowl Sunday. Johanna worked tirelessly to create 100 of the most beautiful teal and white ribbons (colors representing cervical cancer) for participants to wear. I could feel people dancing for me all day.  That, combined with all the traditional love and prayers you're sending, has given me more strength than I've felt in nearly a year.

I'm incredibly grateful to be in the hearts of so many people, and to have such loving friends and family in my life. I think I've cried more tears of joy this week than any other.

If you need a DJ in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Bermuda Dunes, Indio, La Quinta, Coachella, or surrounding areas, I encourage you to use DJ Boost.  You can reach him at 760-485-7337 or find him on Facebook under David Ponce. He's a good, family man with a giant heart and he knows how to mix his music. You'll have a non-stop, super fun party, guaranteed!

Here are a few pictures of the special day. I hope you enjoy my friends as much as I do!

From left to right: Saida Mesa, Stacey Castillo-Mizell, Rosy Mesa, Yany Perez, DJ Boost

From left to right:  Luisa de Leon, Yany Perez, Johanna Sanches, Stacy Castillo-Mizell, Patty Reyes

 Party On!!

P.S. - If you'd like to leave a comment, it'll be much easier if you go here instead of trying to do it through Blogger. If the link doesn't work, just go to:
https://www.mylifeline.org/lauriethrives/default.cfm?page=myupdates.cfm
Simply scroll to the bottom of the update you want to comment on and hit "comment." I love hearing from you. You're love keeps me alive!