Events & Adventures

4 hours
600 people
1.5 million dollars
all for Cystic Fibrosis research.
What a great adieu to the last CF event of the year…leave on a high note and a fist full of cash for the cure.  I’ll leave the event with hope for the future, a couple of roses, and a York Peppermint Pattie.
Ahhh, that Peppermint Pattie.
My very dear friend, Donna, makes sure there are plenty of Peppermint Patties at the Gala in memory of my little girl, Jena.  “Of course they’re there!” Donna always says, “I would never forget her!”
Over a million reasons to be elated
Over a dozen CF events behind me
and only three very painful dates to now endureI take a deep breath in and sigh as I think of what’s ahead of me.  I take a Peppermint Pattie off the table, and grab Marc’s hand as we walk out Cipriani’s doors down 42nd Street, toward our hotel.
Marc and I recap the success of evening as we stroll hand in hand in the brisk night air.  I just love the vibe of New York City…all the energy, the unexpected, the excitement that defines NYC.  We are here so often that we don’t even bother to read the street signs anymore; we just walk…engrossed in our chat about CF, what we plan to do about the unpleasant upcoming events, and ponder if we should stop at the great wine bar we like on 44th before we call it a night.
Together we seemed to have figured out how to get through in life what most people can’t understand.  Perhaps it’s as easy as just taking that one step at a time, hand in hand, where the streets have no names.  Okay maybe that last part is borrowed from Bono…
My point?
Life is hard.
Hearts get broken.
Some things are truly out of our control.
All the more reason to control how you handle it.3 dates left to handle:
Thanksgiving
December 4th
ChristmasThey have been absolute hell for us since Jena “moved up” in 2006.

One was her last holiday with us
One date I will despise forever
One celebration that’s lost it’s magicWe keep trying to find new ways to breathe through them. Each year we try to make them bearable. We keep trying.Last year we believe we found the answer.  Marc & I decided to change things up a bit.  We cancelled Thanksgiving, renamed it “Just Thursday” and escaped on a 10-day adventure to nowhere and didn’t return home until December 5th…oh, and we took ALL our Facebook friends along for the ride.  We asked, “North on 95? or West on 80?”  We let our Facebook friends decide “Chattanooga or Memphis?” “Hurricane or Margarita?”

Our impromptu trip turned in to a communal escape from reality…with nothing but a suitcase, a smartphone and a sense of adventure.

Well, after our walk down the streets of NYC it inspired us to do it again.  We are setting out Wednesday night for another adventure to nowhere…

…so, I’m asking, “U2?”

Adventure begins November 23rd…FOLLOW US!

Margarete McCord Cassalina | 

For those of you new to this, please read  “Just Thursday: The Adventure to Nowhere”

10/27/2011 — The Wine Opener for CF: Sip. Savor. Discover.

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Sip. Savor. Discover. The Wine Opener Margarete Cassalina, author of the memoir, Beyond Breathing , will be speaking on behalf of The Connecticut CF Chapter at “THE WINE OPENER in Stamford, CT” The first annual Stamford Wine-Opener will be a relaxed, yet lively evening. The event will include wine and food tastings from local restaurants [...]

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10/20/2011 — Fall Fling for Cystic Fibrosis

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Margarete Cassalina, author of the memoir, Beyond Breathing , is honored to be a part of the evening, speaking about Cystic Fibrosis at the “FALL FLING for CF!” An Evening of Food, Friends and FestivitiesTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011 6:00 PM Cash bar, & Gift Auctions 7:00 PM Dinner & Comedy Show! Beautiful Venue! THE VENETIAN [...]

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09/29/2011 — Cure Cystic Fibrosis With Comedy!

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Margarete Cassalina, author of the memoir, Beyond Breathing , is honored to be a part of the evening, speaking about Cystic Fibrosis. Join Margarete, and the the chair of the event Heather Werner, and all those who support Cystic Fibrosis fundraising: Thursday, September 29, 2011 6:30pm atCure Cystic Fibrosis With Comedy!</> It will be an [...]

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08/06/2011 — 5th Annual 65 Roses Summer Soiree

65 Roses The Summer Soiree Wine Glass

Margarete Cassalina, author of the memoir, Beyond Breathing ,is honored to be a part of the evening, speaking about Cystic Fibrosis at “5th Annual 65 Roses Summer Soiree” An Evening of Food, Friends and FestivitiesUnique Live and Silent Auctions followed by Dancing Under the Stars SATURDAY, AUGUST 6th, 2011 6:00 PM TO MIDNIGHT Event Chairs: [...]

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06/11/2011 — Margarete will be speaking at ‘Rockin a Cure for CF 2′ in Corona, CA

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Join Margarete and all those who support Cystic Fibrosis fundraising: Saturday, June 11, 2011 5:00pm – 10:00pm   at The Fender Center for Performing Arts in Corona, California Support the fight against Cystic Fibrosis and attend Rockin a Cure for CF 2! Please make a difference and join us for a fun night out! Let’s [...]

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06/05/2011 — Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk-Poughkeepsie

Want to change a life on a Sunday morning? Want to make someone breathe easier and add more tomorrows for those fighting CYSTIC FIBROSIS? What Is CYSTIC FIBROSIS? CURRENTLY THERE IS NO CURE WHAT CAN YOU DO?? DONATE ONLINE HERE OR Use your lungs and take a walk for those who can’t and COME JOIN [...]

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05/14/2011 — Margarete will be speaking at the 9th Annual Dinner & Auction in Toledo, OH

Join Margarete and all those who support Cystic Fibrosis fundraising: Saturday, May 14, 2011 6:00pm – 11:30pm at 9th Annual Dinner & Auction in Toledo, OH Support the fight against Cystic Fibrosis and attend The 9th Annual Dinner & Auction! Please make a difference and join us for a fun night out! Let’s make CF [...]

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05/07/2011 — Margarete and Marc are being honored at the CF Black & White Ball-Westchester, NY

Margarete Cassalina, author of the memoir, Beyond Breathing , and her husband, Marc Cassalina are the honorees at the Cystic Fibrosis BLACK & WHITE BALL Join Marc & Margarete Cassalina , and   Scott Marcello, KPMG LLP,  Event Chair and the evening’s Emcee  CBS News Anchor Mary Calvi, along with all those who also support Cystic [...]

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11/18/2010 — Margarete will be speaking at the NYC "Breath of Life" Gala

Margarete Cassalina, author of the award winning book, Beyond Breathing , which recounts her struggle to overcome the loss of Jena, her 13-year-old daughter, to Cystic Fibrosis will be speaking at: the NYC “Breath of Life” Gala for Cystic Fibrosis on November 18, 2010. Master of Ceremonies will be CBS Weatherman: Lonnie Quinn Honoring Doris [...]

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11/04/2010 — Margarete will be speaking at "Uncork the Cure" in CT!

*THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL SPRING 2011 Margarete Cassalina, author of the memoir, Beyond Breathing , will be speaking on behalf of The Connecticut CF Chapter at “Uncork the Cure-The Greenwich Wine Opener” Sip fine wines, savor great food, browse the silent auction and participate in the “Stock your Wine Cellar” Raffle. WHEN: November [...]

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