A few weeks ago, we received a heartbreaking note from Trish O’Donnell, of Denver, CO. We asked Trish if we could share her note with our community, so we could reach out and offer our Colorado workshop attendees the chance to spread our message of health to their loved ones. In Trish’s own words…

Trish’s Mom, Jo Neville

“My mom, Jo Neville, was 67 years old on January 1st. For most of her life, she battled with her weight. Eating a typical SAD diet of processed foods, diet sodas and sugar, she also was always looking for that ‘miracle diet’ like so many of us have. Over the years with extreme diets, her weight could fluctuate by 100 pounds at times. She was a nurse who usually worked the night shift, which meant not a lot of time for ‘eating right’ or exercise.

Over the past few years I had many discussions with her about health and nutrition. At times, Mom thought I was on the ‘extreme diet’ (Paleo). I purchased Robb Wolf’s book, The Paleo Solution, for her for Christmas 2010. She read it and thought it really made sense. Unfortunately, she did not start changing her eating. To her, it seemed so difficult.

In November of 2011 she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. We had more discussions about nutrition and how to use food to fight the tumors, even though her doctor said she could continue eating the same way she always had. Surgery in December found the cancer had spread to her liver and ovary.

I told her about Melissa & Dallas’ Whole9 seminar coming up in May, and how I had attended one before and really learned a lot from their presentation. I knew the way they both would explain things in ‘everyday life terms’ would really help. We both registered, and Mom was really excited to go. She was ready to finally get started on a healthy path with nutrition, and she was excited to be doing it with me. Mom started chemotherapy in January, and took Robb’s book and my Whole9 packet with her each day to read and make notes.

She had three courses of chemo. She died on February 28, 2011.”

Colorado For a Cure

Trish’s story broke our hearts, and was especially meaningful as Dallas lost his Dad to pancreatic cancer just five years ago. We reached out to Trish, and wanted to do something special in her Mom’s honor.

 We’re inviting your family members to come to our Denver nutrition seminar for free. Register yourself, and bring your loved one – your  Mom, grandfather, husband or sister – on us, in memory of Jo Neville.

Trish offers this final message of hope: “I truly hope others’ parents and family members are able to attend. I wish I could have pushed harder, or changed things earlier for my Mom. Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I’ll still be attending in May, and know my Mom will still be there in spirit.”

For more details about our Denver nutrition seminar, visit our registration page. To add your loved one to the guest list for this event, please forward your registration confirmation email, along with the name and email of your family member, to workshops@whole9life.com.