Having a strong will and desire is half the battle and probably the bigger half.

But with my mom it was different because I couldn't be my professional self. I had to be me - a daughter. I had to be there emotionally and I was crying, just like everybody else.

We see younger patients now, especially with cancer. At one time our average cancer patients were probably over 60 but now there are many more in their 40s, partly because we are identifying earlier. We are better educated and that is helping to drive down death rates. And with advancements we are catching it earlier.

For many people, fairly minor adjustments are all it will take.

The government will not have the funds to step in and take care of everyone.

Our desire for this weekend is to rattle the parks department's cage and make them aware there are not just six people in each neighborhood who are unhappy, but there are thousands of Seattle residents who feel trounced upon and abused. Maybe this will force the parks department to be more responsive to its citizens.