Your friend and mine, Lisa Zapalac
Donation protected
Everyone’s friend, Lisa Zapalac
Hello, this is Anita Sparks-Bohn, and I am writing to share some important news with you – my friend, and yours, Lisa Zapalac, has been diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma. Several months ago, Lisa was experiencing difficulty in breathing; suspecting bronchitis, she went to the emergency room; shortly after she was told she was in cardiac arrest. The heart failure led to severe pulmonary edema; and in order to get her stable, her lungs were drained twice. She was in intensive care for over a week, and eventually scans revealed the cancer. This devastating news was only the beginning for Lisa, as during her hospitalization, she was told her mother died suddenly of a brain aneurism. Lisa is now receiving chemo and radiation therapy at MD Anderson Hospital. The cancer has metastasized to her liver, ovaries, heart and right hip bone. She also has a mass under her left arm, near her breast. Lisa wears a 24-hour heart monitor and defibrillator since she has permanent congestive heart failure. Her doctors have discussed plans for a pacemaker within the next 4 months.
If you were to look at Lisa today, you would only notice small changes in her appearance. She has defiantly maintained her persona, that sheepish smile she presents with her eyes, her comical – childish sense of humor, the constant giggling she is never able to control, and her ability to appear calm even if things are imploding all around. Lisa has vowed to remain positive and is determined to come out a champion against this disease. She is absolute in her resolve to work, continues writing press releases and visiting Houston’s growing real estate communities. Her public relations company is her passion and therapy.
In spite of Lisa’s reluctance and hesitation to announce her condition, I found it necessary to convince her otherwise. Lisa’s husband, Stephen, and her two children, Hannah and Noah, have been a tremendous source of strength to her; but much like every family who has walked through the pathway of this disease and its difficult therapy, there is a tremendous financial impact and strain on the family. Stress can be a pivotal detriment to perseverance. Lisa possesses a genuine, infectious personality, and she has made many friends. We have worked and partnered in business together for almost 30 years; it all started with our days at the Houston Chronicle. Lisa and I must have attended hundreds of Realtor and Builder breakfasts, luncheons and gala events and participated in numerous committees and boards. It was there that we were able to make so many friends within the real estate community.
I appreciate the time you have taken to read this open letter; and more importantly, I want to thank you in advance if you choose to offer a donation to her family. I have set a goal to reach for the sky, not knowing what need the future will bring. If you have any questions, you are welcome to email me [email redacted] .
Respectfully,
Anita Sparks-Bohn
Hello, this is Anita Sparks-Bohn, and I am writing to share some important news with you – my friend, and yours, Lisa Zapalac, has been diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma. Several months ago, Lisa was experiencing difficulty in breathing; suspecting bronchitis, she went to the emergency room; shortly after she was told she was in cardiac arrest. The heart failure led to severe pulmonary edema; and in order to get her stable, her lungs were drained twice. She was in intensive care for over a week, and eventually scans revealed the cancer. This devastating news was only the beginning for Lisa, as during her hospitalization, she was told her mother died suddenly of a brain aneurism. Lisa is now receiving chemo and radiation therapy at MD Anderson Hospital. The cancer has metastasized to her liver, ovaries, heart and right hip bone. She also has a mass under her left arm, near her breast. Lisa wears a 24-hour heart monitor and defibrillator since she has permanent congestive heart failure. Her doctors have discussed plans for a pacemaker within the next 4 months.
If you were to look at Lisa today, you would only notice small changes in her appearance. She has defiantly maintained her persona, that sheepish smile she presents with her eyes, her comical – childish sense of humor, the constant giggling she is never able to control, and her ability to appear calm even if things are imploding all around. Lisa has vowed to remain positive and is determined to come out a champion against this disease. She is absolute in her resolve to work, continues writing press releases and visiting Houston’s growing real estate communities. Her public relations company is her passion and therapy.
In spite of Lisa’s reluctance and hesitation to announce her condition, I found it necessary to convince her otherwise. Lisa’s husband, Stephen, and her two children, Hannah and Noah, have been a tremendous source of strength to her; but much like every family who has walked through the pathway of this disease and its difficult therapy, there is a tremendous financial impact and strain on the family. Stress can be a pivotal detriment to perseverance. Lisa possesses a genuine, infectious personality, and she has made many friends. We have worked and partnered in business together for almost 30 years; it all started with our days at the Houston Chronicle. Lisa and I must have attended hundreds of Realtor and Builder breakfasts, luncheons and gala events and participated in numerous committees and boards. It was there that we were able to make so many friends within the real estate community.
I appreciate the time you have taken to read this open letter; and more importantly, I want to thank you in advance if you choose to offer a donation to her family. I have set a goal to reach for the sky, not knowing what need the future will bring. If you have any questions, you are welcome to email me [email redacted] .
Respectfully,
Anita Sparks-Bohn
Organizer and beneficiary
Anita Sparks-Bohn
Organizer
Pearland, TX
Lisa Zapalac
Beneficiary
