We would like to use the occasion of this day, the first of a new year — a time for reflection — to express our deepest gratitude to all of you, our members, administrators, and volunteers for your participation in this community.
We live in a time when cynicism is easy to summon, when we can readily think of what is wrong, what destabilises, and what drives us apart. We can tap into deep reservoirs of justifiable anxiety. We can wonder and worry about an uncertain future.
In times of great challenge, throughout history, humans have found strength, comfort, and courage in the power of community. We are social creatures.
The hope in creating this forum was to forge a community to engage around CLL topics. We wanted a supportive, informative, and respectful discourse. Your participation has exceeded our hopes. We owe sincere thanks to those who worked tirelessly to create this forum, and those who now keep it running.
We will have cause to reflect more in the new year. There will be occasions, undoubtedly, for us to gather around pain and joy, worry and relief, tears, and reasons to smile. We are strengthened by the knowledge that whatever comes, we have this forum to share our thoughts, plan our actions, and reflect on what has been accomplished, and all that remains to be done.
Thank you all. May those who are hurting find comfort. It is okay not to be okay. More than anything, that is the message that this helpful community can provide.
We wish you happiness, peace and good health in 2023.