Linda & Lana's Anniversary Cruise

​30 years!

Thirty year anniversaries are something special! Take for example Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia, a classic born 30 years ago! Or the Simpson's, celebrating its 30th season! And thirty years ago we were Dirty Dancing after the movie hit the theaters.

Yet, for all of the amazing 30th anniversaries this year, none are as special as the one being celebrated by Linda and Lana. Thirty years ago, they made a commitment to be each other’s partner. Over the years they have faced many challenges and yet, they have only grown stronger together.

If you are like me, you care the world about these two ladies and would eagerly join me in celebrating their milestone. Unfortunately, too many of us live spread out across the country or beyond and it would be difficult to pull off a party befitting these amazing ladies.

So I ask you to celebrate with them in another way. They decided to celebrate their anniversary by taking an Alaskan cruise. However, ​since their finances have been exceptionally tight due to Lana's ongoing health concerns, they are having difficulty with a number of the expenses that are not included in the cruise package such as airfare, pre​- and post-boarding hotel stay​, on-land excursions ​and the gratuities. While the cruise was purchased over two years ago on a payment plan, they had to "use it or lose it" even though their finances were too tight to comfortably pay all of the extras that they anticipated they'd have been able to save for by now. So I set up this campaign to help defray their costs.

This past year alone, Lana's necessary prescriptions have cost roughly half of her monthly income simply because a doctor wouldn't call her Medicare Part D provider to request a "dosage override" on one her most essential and expensive drugs. She only learned this past month, after having her PCP take over writing the script, that the dosage override would have cut the cost to a fraction of what she struggled to pay each month just to be able to eat and keep food in her body. That money would have more than paid for the additional expenses related to this anniversary cruise but it's too late for her to go back for reimbursement.

Furthermore, Lana wants nothing more than to take Linda (a woman who has unconditionally given so much time, love, and support) on a vacation that truly celebrates the enduring relationship they've shared for the past 30 years, and to provide a much-needed break from the stresses that come with care-giving. Lana also wants to celebrate the woman who has stood with her through thick and thin by helping her check-off an all-important item on her very own "bucket-list." Seeing Alaska has been a lifelong dream for both of these ladies.

While the ship sails on June 9th out of Seattle, with a return date of the 16th, these gals need extra time to arrive and depart as to not stress themselves physically (as they could in their younger years). There will be hotel expenses related to this 3-day extra stay. While they've cruised in the past, they are learning all about the challenges that can and do arise for us as we age, and when we are not at our best physically -- are wisely making accommodations even though they add to the final costs.

They are worth every cent.

I hope you will join me in donating toward this very special anniversary gift so they can truly enjoy the splendor of this momentous occasion!!

Lana wants to thank everyone who contributes with a black & white matted and signed print of a special photo that she will take while on the cruise. Owning one of her prints (since she is a quite an accomplished photographer) is something that I look forward to!

Cheers,

Ronda Bybee

P.S. Feel free to use the e-mail link to invite anyone else you know who might want to participate, or send them an instant message on Facebook or Twitter!

All electronic funds are being directly deposited in Linda's online account.

http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard-celebrity/gateway

Ship: Celebrity Solstice: http://www.celebritycruises.com/ships/celebrity-solstice

Itinerary Details (Arriving in Seattle on June 7, Departing June 18)

Day Port Arrival Departure

1 Seattle 5:00 PM

2 At Sea

3 Ketchikan 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

4 Cruising Tracy Arm 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM

4 Juneau 1:30 PM - 10:00 PM

5 Skagway 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

5 Cruising Inside Passage 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM

6 At Sea

7 Victoria 5:30 PM - 11:59 PM

8 Seattle 6:00 AM