estan maxwell

Ladies and gentlemen, this handsome young feller is Esten Maxwell, the son of Tommy and Mel Maxwell.  Most of us know Tommy better by the name Tommy Yum of the Maxwell/Mosher Band, who, as you may recall, joined us for the Big Bad Bus Tour back before the election. 

In October, Esten, who is three years old, was diagnosed with leukemia.  Since then, the little guy has endured multiple hospital visits, a nasty case of chicken pox, chemotherapy treatments and other painful, difficult things that no kid that young should have to go through.

This weekend in Chapel Hill, there's going to be a big benefit concert to raise money for the massive medical expenses that Esten's illness has incurred.  Tonight, I'd like to kick that process off a little early.

You guys have been great about supporting progressive candidates and causes.  Blue America was a massive success.  Tommy was a big part of that with the song "Had Enough?" and its multiple versions, which made for some of the best campaign commercials in American history.

In short, Tommy came through for us in a thousand different ways, and now it's time for us to come through for Tommy, Mel, Evelyn (Esten's sister, who is 6), and Esten.  We're asking you to donate through the FDL paypal button and please make all donations out to end in .03, since Esten is three years old and we want to keep track of which donations are going to the Maxwells.

Also, tonight, I want to extend a cordial invitation for all of you non-commenting readers to de-lurk.  Just pop in down in the comments and say hi.  We know you're out there and we always like to meet the people who read us, but don't always leave a comment.  So, make up a screen name and say "hi"!  We can't wait to meet you!

You never know.  Here at FDL, today's commenter can be tomorrow's guest-poster and the next day's Big Front Page Star like, well, me.  So olly olly oxen freeeeeee!!  Come on out!

Tommy and I and everyone else at FDL thank you.

God bless.

 tom and trex

(Me[r] and a Yum, Nov. 2006)