Shannon's Aura

Not a week has gone by since the untimely death of Shannon hasn’t crossed my mind. I gave up on asking “Why?’’ long before I ever met this beautiful young woman. I’ve seen too many pass before her. Nevertheless, she has left a mark that will stay with me as I travel through my own life.

We met a few years ago as she was pitching a fundraiser for Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit, a cancer support community where she came for support. She was in the midst of a clinical trial to treat her breast cancer that was not cooperating despite her heavy chemotherapy regimen.

First diagnosed at 25, she knew the odds for long-term survival were not good. Like many young women diagnosed with breast cancer, her tumors were aggressive. Determined to live her life to the fullest, she focused instead on her upcoming role as newlywed and her new mission -- to help other women in her age group facing similar challenges.

Statistically, women under 40 make up a relatively small number of overall women (and men) diagnosed with breast cancer. Still, that number ranges near 250,000 nationwide with about 11,500 new cases annually.

With little emotional support available for women with breast cancer in their 20s and 30s --Shannon first came to Gilda’s Club with her idea to create a group specifically for this demographic. With full support of our program director who became the group’s facilitator, Shannon proudly dubbed it, “The Rack Pack.’’ It didn’t take long for the comfy chairs in our clubhouse to be filled.

These women, who should have been out exploring the world, planning weddings, starting careers, or turning dens into baby rooms, were here instead, struggling with physical and emotional scars and uncertain futures.

At Gilda’s Club and beyond, they formed the most amazing bond, helping each other cope. Shannon was a powerful force, one who always came with a good attitude, a sense of hope, a reason to keep moving forward. She was beautiful, smart, sensitive and warm. But, there was something else about her -- spiritual energy, an aura, perhaps -- that made people want to stay close by.

While juggling her treatment (which required regular travel to Texas from her metro Detroit home), Shannon decided to give something back to Gilda’s Club for supporting her and her loved ones. Having been part of a successful fundraiser in Austin, she set out to recreate one for this local cancer support community in Royal Oak.

It wasn’t long before her family and friends were working on what would become Bras for a Cause, a fantastic evening held last September that raised nearly $50,000 for Gilda’s Club. Her uncle, Dave Coulier of Full House, served as Master of Ceremonies.

She wanted to do it again this year, setting her new goal at $100,000. But, as plans got under way, Shannon’s illness took over.

Shannon Iezzi Watson was 29 years old when she slipped away, creating a sadness that continues to linger around here. Her friends, several with the same cancer type, hang on to hope that modern medicine, different circumstances and faith will allow them more time than she had.

Now, it is these women along with Shannon’s husband, Kevin, his mother Edie, and a handful of other loved ones, who are carrying Shannon's bright torch. Despite their own grief, they are honoring Shannon’s wish. Through a lot of tears, I’m sure, they are working from Shannon’s notes to organize this year’s event in her honor. Bras for a Cause: In Memory of Shannon Watson, will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. Coulier, will repeat his role as MC. It will include a strolling buffet, live and silent auction, a display of decorated bras and a fashion show featuring the most creative bras modeled by women who truly deserve to shine – breast cancer survivors who could easily be drawn into sadness but instead choose to focus their own beautiful energy on making sure that Shannon’s Rack Pack will be available to other young women.

While Gilda's Club is a place that prides itself on providing emotional and social support to people with all kinds of cancer, it's the people who come here that make it successful. Shannon may have initially joined Gilda's Club for herself, but she touched and inspired a lot of people along the way with her great attitude, her knowledge and her humor.

Where ever Shannon’s soul has settled, surely the aura around it is still beaming.

P.S. In all my years as a writer, I still have not come up with words to ease the pain that loved ones feel after such a traumatic loss. I can only try. To Kevin, Shannon's family and the amazing, courageous women of The Rack Pack, I wish you comfort in knowing that your lives have been touched by an angel disguised as a wife, a daughter, a sister, a niece, and a friend. May her spirit continue to inspire us all.