TandT Charities

So... as mentioned in our last show, A New Hope?, we have some big things in the works and some images to show you for our upcoming charity auction. 

These auctions will support the American Cancer Society . 

The first item we have for auction will be a signed copy of Zero Hour by the band Tongue Dried Sun's lead singer, Paul. 

also, there is  a copy of Versus the Mirror album Home that is signed by the bands Guitarist, Gabe Borquez.

For our comic book fans here is an Amazing Spider-Man #304 signed by artist Todd McFarlane. McFarlane is often credited with the artistic changes in Spider-Man that gives the character we know today; His limber poses, more detailed webbing and the creation of Spider-Man villain,Venom

The last item is a signed University of Arizona basketball. Signatures  include hall of famer Lute Olson, NBA players Mike Bibby and Jason Terry. Former NCAA Tournament MOP Miles Simon and more.

Now, I would like to share a photo and a story to help provide some perspective on why TandT is putting this auction and hopefully more in the future....

 This is a younger, Tommy. Hanging out with his cousin. Most people know their cousins but I was raised with mine to the point we were more recognized as being siblings. Often introducing eachother to people as brothers or sisters. The person behind me is my oldest cousin, Elizabeth (Liz). She was the antithesis of the "All-American Girl". Team Captain of her High School basketball team, cross country team, drum major of her schools marching band and some how found the time to also be her graduating classes salutatorian. After graduation she set off to achieve her dream of becoming a School Teacher by attending the University of Arizona where she was a proud member of the schools marching band. She played Tuba, simply because "you never see girls playing tuba."

During her time at the University of Arizona she also married her "high school sweetheart" and seemed to be on her way to her dream future. A journey which started with very humbled beginnings.

I will never forget the day she came over to my house to talk to my Mother (who, for all intents and purposes was her Mother as well). Liz had been taking a basketball class at school and being one who would never be outdone was a very physical player. So bruises were never an uncommon occurrence with Liz. Lately they had been taking longer to go away and eventually not going away at all.

After finally going to the Doctor at the request of her husband, in-laws and immediate family; Liz was given a diagnosis that changed the course of her life and all those around her.

I am 26 now, but the words that I heard my mother tearfully share with me when I was 10 still resonates with me everyday; "Tommy. Liz has Leukemia...". I still feel the hug she gave me. A hug only a Mother can give when she has a child that is hurting and sick and you have no way to make it better. Of all the moments in my life, that was perhaps among the most defining. It was a testament to the connection my Family once had. Even though we have all gone our separate ways, I know that many of us would drop everything if one of us were to be truly in need.

Liz, through her whole struggle, never truly complained, cursed her bad fortune or even felt sympathy for herself or asked for empathy by others. In fact, one of the only moments I truly remember her crying over her illness was when she was told she would never be able to donate blood with the American Red Cross again. That moment could not have been a more pristine example of the person she was. It was never about her. it was about those she could help, touch or inspire; most of the time she did all those things without even knowing it. She fought this cruel disease boldly and bravely. We were all be her side, even shaving our heads as a family so she wouldn't go through it alone.

Cancer is similar to a title fight. Often consisting of several rounds and all the drama that goes with it. You trade a few punches, who has the upper hand and sometimes you get your opponent on the ropes and have the victory in site.

Liz fought like a champ against her illness. Fought to the point where they found a donor for a bone morrow transplant. I have never met the person who was the angel that gave Liz that second chance at life; if I ever were too, she would feel the embrace that my mother gave me so many years ago. Cause she was as our angel in a time where hope was fading for everyone but Liz.

Liz did not waste her time after her transplant and finding out she was in remission. Getting up, going out working for her beloved American Red Cross. "Just cause you can't donate, doesn't mean you can 't do your part" I remember her saying to me once. She lived her life to the fullest in this time frame.

Like a title fight, however, having someone on the ropes is never a guarantee of victory. Liz's opponent fought back. Fought back with a vengeance. Her illness came back and attacked other parts of her body. I stayed many nights with Liz. Leaving school to go to the hospital, doing homework, sleeping then I would go home and shower and go back back to school  only redo the cycle again that night. I slowly watched her decline. Her body breaking down, her mind slowly fading and the spark in her eye that allowed her to fight this monster everyday eventually go out...

Elizabeth Pace-Hill left us Febuary 7, 1997; just two days after her 22nd birthday.

Even in death though, her spirit, inspiration and legacy was apparent. I have been a part of too many funerals in my life and I have never seen the turnout and love shown that day. The chapel, so full, many of the attendees had to wait patiently outside for their turn to pay respects. Former teachers, principals and classmates shared each others shoulder to cry on. friends of friends lined the walls, all sharing a moment that they shared with Liz. Away from the service she was honored as well; her basketball number hung for all to see and to inspire the players at her formal High School on to their victory. In her 22 years on this earth she touched and influnced so many lives that her true impact couldn't be appreciated until her all to early death.

Everyday that I attend the University of Arizona to complete my degree in History to one day teach, every moment that i worked at the American Red Cross to help recruit new and returning donors, every time one of us in her family proudly wear the number 51 that Liz loved so much and every time we doubt ourselves only to have that voice in the back of our heads that sounds strangely like Liz say "you can do it" are all unshakable testaments to the impacts she still has had on our lives. The likes of which are only seen once, if we are lucky, in a life time.

Liz's story is simply one of the many reasons that we at TandT Podcast! want to have these Auctions to raise money to combat this killer known as cancer.

I know this was a little "heavy" or "real" but it is a story that needed to be shared. With your winning Bids you get the gift of knowing that you are helping save someone like Liz and are getting really cool items that people are kindly enough to provide to help us out with these TandT charitable auctions.

When the Items are up on our eBay account we will notify you via Twitter (@tandtpodcast) or facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/TandT-Podcast/282527071757533) and on our show now availiable on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tandt-podcast!/id469999092)

Thanks, for reading and for your future bids.

you can support our show by subscribing on iTunes, following on Twitter and "Liking" on Facebook.

-Tommy