Until I Say Goodbye

In June 2011, Susan Spencer-Wendel was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as motor neurone or Lou Gehrig's disease. It is a disease that systematically destroys nerves that power muscles; Susan, 45 years old and a mother of three, already walks with braces and is losing her ability to speak. Though Susan cannot stop the rapid decline of her body, she refuses to let her life stop before its time. Since her diagnosis, Susan has made sure that every day counts, is more present than ever in her daily life, and is ready to share her strength, determination, and spirit. Susan's story began growing interest when she published a piece in her local paper about a trip she took to see the Northern Lights following her diagnosis. But this was just the first of many special travels, including a visit to Budapest, where she and her husband spent the first two years of their marriage; a cross-country journey to Northern California to meet her birth mother; and soon a trip to Cyprus, the home country of her deceased birth father, to reunite with the relatives of a man who never knew she existed and return their treasured family Bible.

But one of the most important adventures Susan has planned - the story that drew national attention when mentioned by the Wall Street Journal - will bring Susan to New York City with her 14 year old daughter, Marina, where the two will share the experience of Marina's search for the perfect dress for the wedding Susan will never see.

Though the two will not be buying a dress quite so early in Marina's life, their plans, and Susan's story have begun to touch people around the world. Susan writes, 'I'm beyond thankful so many people can relate to and empathise with my story. I'm glad people are moved. I'm happy Marina and I have stumbled, accidently, on something that crystallises what it means to be a family, to grow up, to dream, to die, but more importantly to live fully and joyfully.'

UNTIL I SAY GOODBYE is a truly magical story and so much more than one woman's 'bucket list'. It's a celebration of life, a look into the face of death, and the effort we must make to show the people that we love and care about how very much they mean to us.