Ordinary People Trying to Make a Difference
Who We Are
Shenandoah Rain
Co-Founder, Caregiver, Survivor
Andy and I founded the SHB Gems in Memory of Julian who was my SL partner who lost his battle with cancer in 2018. He stood by me through my battle with cancer in 2016 and fought his fight with dignity and battled hard. As a RL nurse, I have seen cancer touch so many people and the mark it leaves on so many lives. I am again battling cancer and I will win due to the money raised to fund research that gives me the best treatment available. I relay for Julian who lost his battle, for Mike who won his battle, and myself who is fighting the battle again.
Andy
Co-Founder
Shen and I founded the Gems about a year after Julian passed away. She had taken that year off, away from SL. When she returned, she found me. "Andy, I want to do this for Julian."
Julian was my best friend here. I promised him, at the end, that I would take care of his girls. Shen wanted to start a team, I would help her make that a reality. For the longest time, it was just Shen and I fumbling our way through. Now others have chosen to stand beside us.
I fight so that others need not lose the Julian in their lives. I fight for Shen and for all those who have fought and are still fighting. I fight for the children who often cannot fight for themselves.
Can one boy make a difference? Maybe not, but with a thousand other RFL members besides Shen and I, Yeah, I think we can
Marcus Asturias
I was moved to get further involved in the SHB Gems by my friends' commitment to it and an abiding, visceral refusal to accept the carnage cancer causes. This is one more way to push back against that.
Krix Zuzu
Resident Witch, Lover of Disney, Most Evil Woman In SL
You should not exist. Nor should I. Existence should not exist but here we are. No matter your philosophy, you will hit a wall of paradox trying to explain it. Therein lies the answer. A paradox does not happen in a natural system. Hence magic and the divine are the answer. I work to draw it into human perception. However, daemons will not do that which you will not do for yourself. I have been fighting death in my own way for years. I still do. I joined this team to fight it in additional ways and support the people whom I most respect. I have seen death. I have seen cancer. It angers me. Death I am coming for you. One way or another, I am coming. You will not be happy when you meet me.
Stormy Dench
Caregiver, Family Member
Cancer has touched my life as it has everyone else on my team. I relay for so many people. I relay because I refuse to let cancer be the determiner of life and happiness. I relay for my Mom, my Grandfather, my Husband, my Mother-in-law, my Sis (Shen) and so many others. I relay so that we can find that cure! I relay because I refuse to give up.
Coco
Hello, I'm so excited to be able to do RFL again. I took a 6 year sabbatical from SL due to life circumstances. I'm back now and ready to raise a ton of L for this great cause.If you see me at events, just say hello, I'm easy and approachable. I love meeting all of you. Love, Coco (Catz)
.png)