I know I'm the last person you want to hear from. In fact, I'm sure you're probably wondering why the hell I'd have the balls to talk to you again without an apology, but I just thought that the issue I bring up here might possibly rise above our mutual dislike. After you are finished with this letter, please feel free to go on hating my existence in the privacy of where ever you are. Until then, please read on:

I am sure by now  you have heard that former  Lauren James (she went with us on the European Tour in 2000)has cancer. I simply am passing on the message so that information doesn't get misconstrued along the way. Earlier this year, Lauren was diagnosed with soft tissue cancer and was immediately put into Chemotherapy.

As of late, the chemo hasn't worked on her tissue cancer. She has tumors in both breasts, under her rib cage, one in her hip and in the bone in one of her legs. Despite the weight of this news, Lauren is continuing to be her usual upbeat self. Since the cancer complicates her walking, she is in a wheelchair.She came to Bellarmine last week to see her classmates and was smiling and laughing. Since she is unable to attend All Northwest and the Benaroya Hall Catholic Choir Concert tomorrow evening, my father and Frank Lewis (her music teachers) have constructed gold ribbons for her classmates to wear and have dedicated excellence in both events to Lauren.

Tommorow, the doctors will start a new round of chemo, with extra agents in the radiation to try and beat the cancer. While nothing is final, this really is the last shot Lauren's got. The cancer is just spreading too fast. She is a tiger, though. She'll fight it. Please keep her in your prayers. If you'd like to write her an email, a letter or a card, let me know. I'll email you an address and make sure she gets them. I know she'd like to hear from her old TGC peers at a time like this.

Thank you for your time.

Jennifer Klouse

katie skoves....you never fail to make me smile and wish that i could work as hard as you do and wish that i was as sure of my path as you seem to be. i hope it all works out for you whatever it is. much love from me to you.

fight it as long as you can or just spread your arms and remember how much fun it is to fly