Celebrate life! You are invited

Meet Derek. Derek is a good kid. Mid-20s, clean cut, polite, and a drummer in rock 'n roll band.

Meet Stacy. Stacy is a Black Belt in Tae Kwan Do.

You are meeting Derek and Stacy now. The Quipper family met them three years ago, when our daughter started taking Tae Kwon Do lessons at one of the local studios.

So, what's so special about Derek and Stacy?

They have been married for roughly two years now. They got married in spite of some serious health complications in Derek's life: his lungs, both of them, worked at 15% capacity at best. Derek couldn't do a regular day's work. He stopped drumming, stopped doing much of anything. Every moment felt like he was swimming, and unable to get a good breath.

Then, Derek caught a break. Two lungs were available, and he was next. Talk about trial and tribulation during the first year of marriage! Lots of time in the hospital, wondering if the lungs would be accepted. Thankfully, Derek's body accepted them. Then, building strength. Geez, how long would that take? Then, how much would his life change? What danger would lurk around the corner?

Let's fast forward to today. The news is all good: Derek's lungs both work up to 90% capacity. His body is not quite up to full strength yet, but his doctors say he is very close. Thank God for making the lungs available, and for giving Derek good doctors and surgeons to take care of him as needed. Now, the only scar of any consequence is the one that all of us would dread in the same situation: six figure doctor bills needing to be paid off.

Family and friends of Derek and Stacy started the Celebrate Life Concert last year to celebrate Derek's health. The Second Annual Celebrate Life Concert is taking place this Saturday, October 21 at the Vermilion On The Lake Clubhouse, 3780 Edgewater, Vermilion, OH 44089. The celebration has food, contests, raffles, and five bands that will play their style of music, ranging from classic rock, to jazz, to hardcore metal. (The bands get progressively heavier as the day goes on.)

Doors open at noon, and the bands are scheduled from 3:00pm-11:30pm. A $10 donation is required for entry. All proceeds will go to assist in payment of Derek's medical bills.

The Quipper family invites you to join us as we celebrate with our friends. We hope to see you there.

Thank you.