1.
The New York Times just published an article about experimental phage therapy and Mallory Smith’s SALT IN MY SOUL. It is bittersweet, indeed, to know that phage therapy, administered early enough, might have done so much to prevent Mallory and Caitlin and and others from even needing transplants, but other people are already benefiting from the Smith family’s ideas and persistence. In a small world coincidence, the NY Times author is an old grad school colleague of mine. She’s a terrific writer with a new memoir out and it’s quite the story: DUPED: Double Lives, False Identities, and the Con Man I Almost Married.
2.
We are hosting a “Live Happy” book event for SALT IN MY SOUL on Wednesday, July 10 at 6:30 pm, for one hour, in Framingham. Mallory’s mother, Diane Shader Smith, will share some of Mallory’s insights for “living happy” regardless of circumstance. In a generous act, the Smiths will donate the profits from the evening’s book sales to The Leo Project in Honor of Caitlin O’Hara. I’ve attempted to invite everyone I think might want to come, but if I’ve missed you, click on the link and register or message me for details.
3.
Construction of the resource center that will house The Leo Project is nearly done. Roof-raising is happening right this minute. Jess returns to Kenya in a couple of weeks to start work on the interior.
4.
Here are two official Boston Marathon photos of Jess and Andrew, capturing Jess as she bounded into the race to run the last mile and a half with Andrew, and then both of them crossing the Finish Line. Andrew raised $13,492 for the Leo Project. Thank you to all you caring and generous souls who made that happen. ❤
5.
And here’s a cute picture of Caitlin and Henry (and James Joyce) because….why not? 😀
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9 Lives Notes 
Thanks so much for inviting us and I look forward to reading this book. Also, its so heartening to know there’s hope for other young Catlins and Mallorys out there. BTW,the pics are fabulous!! Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
Wondrous! Marvelous!! So much beauty can come from so much pain.
Mary Ann:I am reading Salt in My Soul right now. Thank you for recommending it. It gives me pause to think of what your brave Kitten went though.xoRoselee
I’m happy to know you are reading it. CF is a very cruel and mostly invisible disease. xo
People who read Salt in My Soul will better understand what your beloved Caitlin lived with. So many of our amazing angels have passed from this insidious disease. Mallory’s book shares the patient perspective – waiting for your book to read the parent’s … and to learn more about Caitlin xo
I recently finished Salt in My Soul and was amazed – by Mallory’s wisdom and perspective, what life is like for people living with CF and their families, that her family put this amazing work out for all of us, and that you are working on your own in honor of Caitlin. Been sharing and recommending this boo to others.
Kellyn
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and so happy you are recommending this wonderful book.