A LETTER FROM JOHN ELWAY

The members BCforum tried to contact John Elway of the Denver Broncos for months.

Here is the letter the members of bcforum wrote to John:

Dear John,

I am the leader of BCforum, the Internet Breast Cancer Support Group. Each of us uses a nickname and one of us, Gwen Taylor, uses Elway in honor of you.

Several years ago Gwen's daughter, Emily, had serious heart problems and her doctors arranged for her to meet you at the Broncos' training camp. Gwen has treasured the moment and the pictures of you with her family are some of her prized possessions.

Now Gwen is seriously ill. We have called her our Wonder Woman because she had been on Taxol for longer than anyone else in the country - four years of chemo every three weeks! The Taxol had been for her liver tumors, which is where her breast cancer had spread. Unfortunately, the tumors started growing again which meant the Taxol was no longer working.

Gwen lives in Montana and recently had stem cell replacement therapy in Southern California. Stem cell replacement is painful and lengthy. It is the same as a bone marrow transplant except that instead of using donor cells, you use your own cells.

Gwen was able to only have one of the two stem cell transplants she was scheduled for because her blood counts did not go up high enough after the first one to get the second.

Gwen is one of our most loved members. All of us know her as "Elway." 22 of us have written short notes about what Elway means to us.....

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I remember my first time talking to "elway" and asking if she was a football fan. She answered "Yes a Bronco fan!" Since that initial hello, I not only get Bronco updates, I have someone I can cry with when I need to, laugh with, and get much inspiration from. - Chris

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You have one hell of a fan in our Elway. She called and made me the appointment for the Mayo Clinic. Just seeing how strong she is makes me want to fight harder. I also have breast cancer. Please visit her if you can. It would mean so much to her. - KayKay - Macon, Georgia

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Elway has touched us all but I am always impressed that even in the face of great adversity, she is unwilling to buckle under to the "Big C" but will talk of the positive sides of her life - such as the beautiful area where she lives in Montana - the wildlife, the scenery, etc. Not knowing her before the cancer, I wonder if she was always this way or if the cancer has made her more aware and more appreciative of her surroundings. I think it has done that for all of us. - {S}}}}} - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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Elway's ability to bring a positive spirit to others has cut through all the difficulties she has continued to have. Despite her own personal worries -- she has always been available to me to recommend books and strategies in helping me with my ADHD son. She has helped me to turn negatives into positives and overcome some of my own depression around breast cancer. Elway is a treasure. - Mombear - California

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Elway was one of the first women I spoke with when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her courage and determination have made her my super-woman, and someone I emulate as I learn to deal with life after cancer. And the fact that she and I are both die-hard Denver Bronco fans helps! - Patti - SugarLand, Texas

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I have known Elway only a short time as I have just discovered the Breast Cancer Forum. During that time, I have been so impressed with her humor, courage, and, most of all, her unabashed love for the Denver Broncos and, specifically, John Elway. It is obvious, John, that you are her hero, that your "never give up" attitude is one she can identify with. And she doesn't give up. She keeps getting knocked down, physically, and still comes back for more. I admire her immensely and hope it can fit in your busy schedule for you to see her. I know it would mean the world to her. Thank you for considering this request. - Sandra - Colorado

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Elway has shown me what true courage and strength are. Through her four years of treatments, she still laughs and trys to cheer us up. She is truly a Wonder Woman. I sincerely hope you will find time to meet her. - Red - LaGrange, Indiana

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Since I am from Colorado, elway and I have had a special relationship. >From the moment I saw her nickname, we had a special bond. We've always talked about "our" Colorado teams. Elway is one of our inspiring members here. She enables all of us to count our blessings...even though we've all been diagnosed with breast cancer. My heartfelt prayers are with Elway in this time of need. She's a very special lady to our group. - Lynn - Denver, Colorado

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The Friday night before our "elway" got her news, I had the opportunity to meet her for the first time on line. When I saw her handle I quickly responded, "John is that you?" She laughed back at me in conference, and said "yes". We chatted a little bit and told her I was from Colorado Springs... and she wished she was back here. Our chat was brief but she was delightful in her responses. Then two days later I hear the news of her recent tests. Our chat was short, but my heart sunk for I felt as if I had known her for a long time. Guess we Coloradoans kind of stick together.... - goldenfox

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I met Elway shortly after my bilateral mastectomy for breast cancer and was about to begin 12 weeks of chemotherapy. Elway gave me the strength and determination to see chemo through - she had been taking chemo every three weeks for FOUR years! Elway is the first breast cancer survivor who had her metastatic liver tumors reduce and calcify on a new experimental treatment. She has made medical history and she is a hero. Now her cancer has become resistant and she will need all of our support to continue to fight for her life. I want Elway to see her two young daughters grow into women, and I selfishly want Elway to continue to be at bc forum for me and all of the other bc survivors who need her. - zonga - Cary, North Carolina

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Our dear friend Elway of BC Forum has been a constant source of support, inspiration, love, humor and just plain friendship to me, my girlfriend, and all of the good people who spend time online together. I'd do anything I could to help her in any way. She is an overwhelmingly worthwhile person, and I suspect that if you could find a way to visit a bit with her, you'd BOTH end up winners. - UncleAl - Cary, North Carolina

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Elway is a really special woman! With all her physical problems, she always has a cheerful, positive attitude. She is often on-line talking to all of us and helping us by giving suggestions for dealing with our particular problems. I hope that you will be able to visit her during her time in Southern California. It would mean so much to her. Thank you. - Zookeeper - Suffolk, Virginia

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As a new member to the group, Elway was the very first person I met that first night. She made me feel welcome and comfortable. Her strength, positive attitude and her ability to make the best from a difficult situation have been remarkable. Little did she know that her warm and charming personality that very first night, left me with a wonderful feeling. - Lee - Illinois

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Elway is such a fan of yours. No doubt you would be a big fan of hers too if you knew her. She is such a tough, brave lady, but is having a very bad time right now. It would mean so much if you would try to see her or call if you can't visit. She has been a joy to us and has such a fight on her hands. - Wildhair - Conyers, Georgia

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Please visit Elway - she is really a very special and her strength is phenomenal - Please make the time to see her...We would all appreciate your urgent attention for this request. - Kayuni - Phillipines

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Elway is our hero. She is an inspiration to all of us. She doesn't give up, and always has words of encouragement for all of us. It's time for us to do something for our hero. We would love it if she could meet her hero, which is you! Elway is such a wonderful person. She doesn't go on about her illness, so don't let that thought make you uncomfortable. I imagine you would really enjoy a visit with her. I hope you can find it in your heart to visit with the strongest woman you will probably ever have the pleasure to meet. - Susi - Terre Haute, Indiana

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You have excited fans and players alike with some of your fourth quarter comebacks from the precipice. Our friend Elway is now in the fourth quarter and a visit from her idol would be of immeasurable support. Thanks for your help. - Pat - La Habra, California

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Elway is going through a rough time now and it would mean alot to her if you would visit her. She has alot of the fighting spirit and since she admires you so much John Elway, it would really give her the lift she needs at this time. - Annaboo - Valdez, Alaska

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As you know from experience, being a celebrity can be, at times, very demanding. I'm sure you will understand and appreciate our quest in having you visit our Breast Cancer Forum Celebrity "Elway." This woman has done what no other person (at least to our knowledge -- man or woman) has. Elway has been getting chemo therapy every 21 days for the past four years of her life. You can re-live any of your football games and not even come close to knowing the beating our "Elway" has taken both physically and mentally; yet, she is always there for the Breast Cancer Forum Members, as well as her family. She adores you and your team. A special prayer is being said in hopes that you could find it in your heart to go visit our celebrity "Elway." Thank you very, very much!!!!! - Zipper - Frederick, Maryland

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Elway's grace, beauty of spirit and courage comes through the super highway loud and clear to us who have never met her in person. How lucky you are to have a chance to meet this outstanding women, and know she is a fan of yours - don't miss this wonderful opportunity to add to your own life by meeting such a one as her. - Vi - London, Arkansas

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As you can see our breast cancer friend elway is a great fan of yours as well as a great fan of our breast cancer group. She is all and more of everything everyone has said. We all love her and pray that her treatment will work. It's difficult to go through cancer once, let alone have it come back. Elway is cheerful and helpful to everyone of us. I hope you can find the time, in you busy schudeal, to visit her. Thank you. - Barb - Illinois

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What a great day today, here is your chance to bring joy to someone very special. She is a fan of yours, Mr. Elway. Easy to know, she uses your name as a nickname in an internet chat where people are joining their heart and soul to go through life, even when they have to fight against cancer. She will have to go through something that will require a lot of courage. So go and visit her and bring her a bag of "fighting spirit" that she will need to be a winner. BONNE CHANCE! - Joki - Vaudreuil, Quebec, Canada

......We all hope you will be able to visit or call our Elway. It would mean so much to her and keeping up one's spirits is a major part of cancer survival.

Thank you,

Susan Frisius

Gwen Taylor (elway)

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