The last time I got to see Kerry, was at her wedding reception. My personal card had all the lyrics to Jack’s Mannequin Swim written in it (what kind of Andrew McMahon fan would I be if I didn’t use Swim lyrics haha)! Seeing first-hand the impact the cards made on Kerry & her family is truly the inspiration behind every Warrior package that I put together and send out with the help of my best friend/partner in chalk ), Stephanie. The support the 11:11A.M. / Andrew McMahon fans showed Kerry was awe inspiring. With the help of 11:11A.M., a Cards for Kerry campaign was launched. The other things hanging on her walls were cards sent to her from all over the country, even as far as China. You make the most of the hand you’re dealt because the quitter never wins.” - These words hung on her hospital room walls. Her anthem during her fight was “The Warrior’s Code” - “You fight for your life because the fighter never quits. But when her favorite band, the Dropkick Murphys, showed up to her hospital room and performed a few songs for her, she was ecstatic. ![]() My friends and I even went Christmas caroling at Kerry’s house when she was able to be home from the holidays. Kerry, who was living in Canada at the time of her diagnosis, was a HUGE hockey fan, got to be center ice at a Rangers game and received a Callahan jersey. ![]() During Kerry’s inpatient treatment she had gotten some “perks.” She had a Top Chef cook a private meal for her. She was even admitted into Sloan Kettering on floor 11, room 11 at one point, she took that as a good omen. Kerry was so excited over the news, as Andrew’s personal story resonated with her. Steve from DJF reached out right away and was able to donate a Dear Jack DVD signed by Andrew McMahon & some DJF tee shirts (spoiler alert: I won the DVD :D). 11:11A.M. donated a Ruthless CD signed by Andrew as well. I had reached out to local businesses for donations as well as The Dear Jack Foundation & 11:11A.M. This was really my first time doing any type of fundraising. A fundraiser was planned the summer after her diagnosis, and I wanted to help in any way I could. ![]() On that day she also found out that her blood type was B+ (be positive) and that quickly became her mantra from then on out. A day that should’ve been spent celebrating her 24th birthday, she was dealing with this life changing news. In April of 2010, I found out that my friend, Kerry was diagnosed with AML (acute myeloid leukemia). My name is Lisa Nardi and I am a Dear Jack Foundation volunteer.
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