Leukemia Society of America

The Leukemia Society of America is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to curing leukemia and related cancers - lymphoma, multiple myeloma and Hodgkin's disease - and to improving the quality of life of patients and their families.

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(Left: With Jane Elissa and Bob Woods.)

(Right: With Rita Lisko.)
	(Left: With Rita Lisko and Thom Christopher.)

After meeting Thorsten for the first time at the May 4 luncheon in Naugatuck, CT, I was so attracted by his magnetic personality, that I found myself eagerly looking for the next opportunity to be in his presence once again. I thought that would happen on May 19, when he was scheduled to appear at the Tomorrow's Children Fund event in New York City. But he did not show up, and, while I was disappointed for myself, I was also relieved, because so few fans had shown up, it was embarrassing! There were actually more soap stars than fans!

A little over a week ago, a friend told me she had seen an announcement in SOW that TK, as well as many other celebrities, were scheduled to attend the BA on Broadway benefit for The Leukemia Foundation on June 2. I ran right out and bought the mag, and later called to make reservations. The organizer for the event was nice enough to tell me in advance that although TK planned to attend, he was taping that day, and might not be able to get away. I decided to take my chances, and ordered a ticket. It was the best gamble of my life!

The event started at 6:00 p.m., with an open bar. I was probably the third person to arrive, after the organizers of the event. (Not too anxious, was I?) We had assigned tables, but not assigned seats, so I chose a chair facing the stage, and rummaged through the free flight bags BA (British Airways) had provided for each guest. In it were an umbrella, a travel guide to Great Britain, a cap, and some other goodies. After a while, other people joined my table, and after introductions, I learned my seat mate, Jeannie, was also a TK fan. I had brought some photos of him from the CT luncheon, and showed them around. The photo of him in his leather jacket was the favorite, and I promised to have copies made. We started talking about TK, (and Patrick), and lamenting what they'd done to the poor man, and the P&M storyline. When I looked at my watch and realized TK had not yet arrived, my heart sank, but Jeannie assured me TK had telephoned her friend Jane (one of the organizers of the event) earlier that day to confirm that he would be there. Bob Woods (Bo) and his wife, and Tom Christopher (Carlo) were already there, as were most of the other celebs, but still no TK, and there was only about 20 minutes until show time. I got food from the buffet, but could not taste it, I was so nervous. I said Hello to Bob Woods, and spoke to Tom Christopher briefly. He confirmed that Carlo will be back in June!

At last, HE appeared, wearing a dark shirt and tweed blazer, as Patrick often wears. I wondered if he came right from the studio, and hadn't stopped to change. He headed toward the bar, which was not far from my table, and I heard him say, "No, I'm not hungry, I just need a beer. It's been a rough day!" I wished I had thought ahead and ordered a Beck's for him, but the bartender had the pleasure of serving him. I could not stay in my seat, and began walking toward the bar, with the idea of getting myself a drink. I hesitated to approach him, as he seemed a bit frazzled, and thought I would just quietly get my drink and leave him to enjoy his beer, but when he saw me, he immediately greeted me, with his hand outstretched. I took his hand, and shook it, but I can't remember if I said anything intelligible. Jeannie came up to him and asked if he would do her a favor. He looked a bit nonplussed, and said, "What is it?" She said "It's my birthday this week, and I wanted to have my picture taken with you." TK looked relieved, smiled and said of course, no problem. But they were telling everyone to sit down for the show, so he said he would be sure and pose with her after dinner. I had a letter for him from my friend Donna, who lives in Maine. I gave it to him, explaining why she could not make it to the event, and he asked if I would hold onto it until after the show, because he was afraid he might lose it. This was great, as I knew it would give me another chance to talk to him! Then I went back to my seat, and held my breath to see where TK would be sitting. Tom Cristopher was at a table in the row ahead of mine, and with all the heads in the way, I did not have a clear view. But, Bob Woods was sitting at the very next table to me. At first, TK went to Tom's table, and spoke to him for a few minutes; then, he got up and walked back to the Woods' table, and sat on the opposite side of the table, so that, by turning my head only slightly, I had a perfect view of Thorsten's profile!

The show was excellent, with the stars of "Broadway Joe's Cafe" and "Forbidden Broadway" as well as others performing for us. I enjoyed watching TK enjoy the show! Then there was an intermission, during which there was an auction, and Thorsten even got into the bidding at one point. It was a lively group, and everyone seemed to be having a good time bidding up. Walt Willey (Jackson, AMC) was the MC, and he did a great job of keeping things moving. But, I was getting anxious. I was afraid TK might decide to bolt as soon as the show was over, and I wouldn't have a chance to give him Donna's letter or take his picture. (I took plenty of candid shots, though.) As soon as the show was over, I grabbed Donna's letter and headed toward Thorsten. There was a crush of people as they began filtering out of the room, and my heart was in my throat, fearing I wouldn't get to him in time. I needn't have worried. As I got closer, I heard TK say (I think to Bob Woods) "No, I'm gonna stick around for pictures." As I appproached, he saw me, and reached for the letter. He said, "Thank you, you see, I would have forgotten!" Now, he had his BA flight bag to put things in. People were still pushing past us, and he said, "Let's get out of the traffic," and put his hand on my elbow. I must admit, I was at a loss for words, and as other people approached him, I stepped back. Then Jeannie came to claim her birthday picture, and while her friend Tina took pictures with her camera, I took some with mine, just to be sure. Thorsten had his arms wrapped around Jeannie, when someone went by and congratulated her on winning the bid for the "Smokey Joe's" package (an entire day, including matinee, dinner and evening performances, plus a tour backstage.) Jeannie said, "Thanks, but this is the real present," meaning, of course, TK's arms around her. I knew exactly how she felt.

I decided my evening was complete, and I had no right to expect any more. Little did I know what was in store for me! While TK continued to pose for pictures, I went off to the bar for some water. Somehow, TK gravitated in that direction as well, along with Tom Christopher and a small entourage. They ended up at the bar a few feet from me, when Jeannie's friend Tina asked me if I would like to have my picture taken with Thorsten. I said, "oh, yes, please." As I approached Thorsten, he was just responding to the question of whether he would be attending the 10th Anniversary event for the Leukemia Foundation, at which TK is to be given an award, on Oct 20. He said,"I don't know. I'll be finished with the show around mid-September, but I may hang around for a while, maybe into October. I'll try to come, if I can." I said, "You're going to break a lot of hearts when you leave." He said something like, "It's time to move on, they've changed my character, it's not what I was hired to do." I agreed that he definitely needed to get off that show, as it was obvious the Exec. Producer and the writers did not listen to his fans. I told him I had written ABC, as have many other fans, but it does no good. At one point, I called Maxine Levinson "Mad Max" and he laughed, and said, "I like that!" Then we posed for pictures, and Tom Christopher got into it as well, and I had both men's arms around me! When Tina aproached to give me back my camera, she said, "You're shaking!" I WAS!! It took a while to calm down; in the meantime, TK left to go to the men's room (no one followed him, thank goodness!)

I was beginning to wonder if I should go home, but I was reluctant to leave as long as TK was still there. By this time, there were only a few people at the bar. There was still a group by the door, checking to see if they'd won the silent auction or one of the raffle prizes. TK returned from the men's room, through the crush of people crowding around the auction table, and, as he broke through, there was no one between him and me, so I decided, "One last time!" We made eye contact, and, as usual, he looked straight into my eyes. He didn't seem to mind a bit that I was approaching him AGAIN! I wished him the best in whatever he did for the future. He talked about his plans to teach, and maybe write. I told him if he decided to teach, I would just have to go back to school, even though I already have a J.D. I said I hoped he would make a movie. He talked more about OLTL, and how disappointed he is with the story line. He said he can't stay any longer, and I said I understood, that he wants to develop his career. He looked at me and said, "Thank you for understanding". And then he gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek!!! It was so unexpected, I wasn't prepared, and I don't even know if I kissed him back! He left a bit later, and I left about five minutes after that. I floated all the way home, and hardly slept a wink that night!

You would think after all that, it would be enough to last a lifetime. But no, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he's still here, or comes back, for the October 20 event! I'll be there!!!!