Quote From: fabulousbeautyDear Dr. Phil and Robin,
My name is Denise. I'm 28 and in Arizona. I'm the reigning Ms. Southwest US Crown Jewel 2008. And I come to you with one simple request.
Could you please help me meet my idol, Steven Cojocaru, the man who inspired me to keep living and never give up even when all hope seems lost?
Steven has been a great inspiration in my life. It all started back in 2005. I'd lost the majority of my friends, everything that mattered to me and almost lost my mind, as well. I was ready to give up, lay down and die. I believed that there couldn't possibly be anyone worse off than me. What I didn't realize at the time, was that there was. At the time I was going through my personal hell, Steven was going through his. He had just gone through the pain of having his first transplanted kidney removed and was waiting for a second one. I'd been watching his story since it first broke in late 2004 and I was hoping for the best.
When the news finally emerged that his mother had given him one of her kidneys, I was overjoyed. It not only gave me a reason to believe in miracles, it gave me a reason not to give up on myself. I learned that my life was worth living and I'm not done yet.
Now as Ms. Southwest US Crown Jewel 2008, I've adopted Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness as my platform. I'm taking it upon myself to educate people about this. I would not have the courage or the will to do this if it wasn't for Steven.
Can you please grant my wish to meet this amazing and wonderful man who has given me a reason to live? I am hoping, wishing and praying that you can make my greatest wish come true.
Thank you very much.
Denise
Dear Dr. Phil, Denise and Cojo,
As a person with Polycystic Kidney Disease, I have been frustrated with how little awareness there is about this disease which affects so many lives. Thank you for bringing the necessary attention to it. Without increased awareness, funding for a cure suffers greatly. I hope and pray for a cure in my lifetime that will help my children deal with their fate better than those who have preceeded them.
I have been following Cojo's ordeal with a personal interest, as he gives me the insight into what lies ahead for me. He also gives me the inspiration to endure it with dignity. Please remain vigilent in spreading the word. I believe that if more people with notoriety used it to support this cause, we would be able to advance research with increased funding. Look what Jerry Lewis has been able to do for MD and remember that many more people are afflicted with PKD than MD. I pray for Cojo's health and recovery and hope that we can all rejoice in a cure in the future. As for Denise, maybe you and Cojo would be able to meet at the PKD conference.
Jacquelynn
