JCarreras.com talks to Patti Amundson, administrator for the Friends of José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation in Seattle

Patti, how would you describe your role at the FJCILF?

Patti: My work at the foundation is varied, constant and not at all glamorous considering my bosses are an internationally acclaimed tenor and a Nobel laureate! I am in an interesting position because I'm the only staff member. That means mundane days of gathering data for financial audits, and stimulating days of creating web sites and publications to reach our supporters. One of my favorite things to do is keep up with donors through thank you notes, letters and e-mail. Because the Friends is a small foundation, I have had the pleasure of getting to know many of our contributors this way. I've always been a letter-writer, so I enjoy this aspect of my work quite a bit. (In fact, I still am in touch with a pen-pal I got through "Teen Bag" magazine when I was 12!)

How did you first become involved with the FJCILF?

Patti: Keeping a sense of balance in my life is a goal. Five years ago I was trying to do a full time job (in publicity at a live theatre) in part-time hours, which didn't make me feel particularly balanced. I actually learned about the position with the Friends through an ad in the newspaper. I knew I wanted to stay in the non-profit world, and this was a great opportunity to learn about non-profit development and administration.

You mentioned publications. Does the FJCILF have a regular newsletter?

Patti: Yes. "Friends to Friends" is produced four times per year. Anyone who donates to the foundation receives the newsletter, and it is also available by request.

The FJCILF has just launched its own web site, congratulations. I've enjoyed reading the on-line newsletters and appreciated the information on how individuals can donate. Now that you're officially launched, what's the feedback been like?

Patti: We've had lots of positive comments. Overall, people think it is nice to have a central place for information about the foundation - what exactly our fellows do, what our financial picture is, how to go about contributing to us or becoming a bone marrow donor.

How did the web site come about?

Patti: The reasons for doing a web site are pretty obvious - any serious business these days, whether for profit or not, needs to have a presence on the world wide web. We began the process a couple of years ago. It took some time to find the right people to work with. We really wanted volunteer help to save money and because it seemed like a great project for a volunteer regardless of where they live. (Because our donors are nation-wide and the foundation does not have different branches, there are not a lot of opportunities for supporters to become active volunteers.)

In the five years that you have been with the FJCILF, what would you say has been the biggest change or development?

Patti: Our financial standing and donor base have developed well since I've been here. When I first started with the Friends in 1995, the affiliate organization in Barcelona occasionally transferred funds to us to help cover fellowship expenses. I think we had fewer than 200 donors at that time. Through the newsletter, consistent communication with donors, and increased fund raising efforts on the part of fan clubs José Carreras Society of America and Friends of José Carreras, we now have about 700 donors, and assets of approximately $700,000.

I really liked the idea of a special millennium gift to the Friends of José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation's international fellowship program - giving 2,000 for 2000: 2,000 dollars, 2,000 quarters ($500), 2,000 dimes ($200), 2,000 nickels ($100) or 2,000 pennies ($20). Does the FJCILF have any other current fundraising projects?

Patti: The Friends are having a benefit reception following Mr. Carreras' recital at Carnegie Hall on March 31. This is the biggest event that we have undertaken planning ourselves. I think it is going to be quite fun. There will be hors d' oeuvres and an open bar, and of course Mr. Carreras will be there. It is sponsored by Cell Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology firm in Seattle of which our board member Jim Bianco is President & CEO. Dr. Bianco was one of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center doctors who treated Mr. Carreras when he underwent his bone marrow transplant.

Tickets are $150 ($70 of which is tax-deductible).
Send payment (check or money order) to:
Friends of José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation
1100 Fairview Ave. N., D5-100
P.O. Box 19024
Seattle, WA 98109-1024

Has having an operatic tenor as one of your bosses made you an opera fan? Or maybe you were one already?

Patti: I have always liked classical music in general, but not opera in particular. I guess I'm lucky in this way, because I have fully enjoyed our tenor in live recitals a couple of times, but don't particularly feel like I've missed out having never seen him (live) in a full opera! I know, I know, now I'll get a million e-mails saying I haven't LIVED until I've seen José Carreras perform in Carmen or La Bohème!

Visit the Friends of José Carreras International Leukemia Foundation's web site at http://www.CarrerasFoundation.org.