To whom this may concern,

June 2, 2003 is the first anniversary of my sister Darlene Croce's death. She was 35 years old. Darlene had Lupus which is an auto-immune disease which attacks the central nervous system and all of the organs in the body. She was diagnosed at the age of 15. For the remaining 20 years of her life, she inspired others and accomplished more than most people do over the course of their entire lives. Darlene knew that life is a gift and she cherished every moment of it.

Darlene loved to write. She wrote comedic plays and had one produced at the Walnut Street Theatre's Studio Three in Philadelphia. She was also an avid painter. She wrote and illustrated children's books, and had showings at Thomas Jefferson University exhibits. Dee had poetry published. Her articles also ran in Cosmopolitan Magazine and various medical journals. She was the president of the Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter of the Lupus Foundation and was enrolled in Temple University's M.B.A. program. Dee traveled the world organizing speaking engagements about the disease Lupus and raising money for its cure. She can still be seen on WHYY TV where she wrote "Her Life with Lupus" a film which continues to be aired. Sunday mornings were a favorite time for her because she would go to radio stations (WDAS was her favorite station of friends) to discuss the disease and its treatments, pain and management; and to counsel families coping with the daily struggles it brings.

I am sharing small pieces of my sister with you so that you will understand the importance of making the video of the song LIFE KNOCKS. As human beings, we all have entered the "ring of life" and have experienced difficulties. However, it is how we respond to these "knocks" that tells the story of who we are in this world.

Portions of this music video will be filmed at Augies Boxing Gym in South Philadelphia. The video opens in black and white with two opponents in the center of the boxing ring as the announcer rings the bell. The musicians of the band are placed at the outside corners of the ring and the fight begins. The protagonist gets knocked down and the 'bouts' of the song begin as we flashback to age eight of my sister's life. The flashbacks continue with Dee at age 15, 25 and 35 where even in death she receives a lifetime achievement award. There are also dancers (choreographed) in the ring during the song and real boxers have agreed to participate as supporting characters. The ending scenes of the video will depict Dee at age 35 in bed with a choir surrounding her. Huge butterflies will lift her up into the sky. I believe that in death the soul is lifted and we "get-up once more!" The video ends back in the boxing ring where the protagonist is down for the count. Her eyes are open and she does get up! The video turns from black and white to full color as she throws her final punch at her opponent and toward the camera.

On May 16, 2003, our band recorded the song LIFE KNOCKS at Gamble and Huff Studio in Philadelphia. Bill Horton, my assistant for this project, was present to take pictures and video footage. In June, we returned to Gamble and Huff for the remixing. Bill Horton and I work for the Prince Music Theater where Bill is the main film projectionist and I am the operations manager. I also work for the Wilma Theater as a manager and coordinator. In addition, I work for the City of Philadelphia as a parole officer. Enough about me.

The Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia and the Ritz Theatre in Oaklyn, NJ will premiere the video LIFE KNOCKS with fundraisers for Lupus research and to support the Darlene Croce Summer Theatre Camp Scholarship.

I am currently seeking sponsors for this project. Dee's former employer, Thomas Jefferson Pediatrics, recently made tee-shirts with her picture and the slogan "Darlene's Dream Team" printed on the front. The Lupus Foundation and the Arthritis Foundation will help too, I am certain. I will always remember those involved in making this project happen.

My sister touched so many lives during her lifetime and I know that once this song is released and the video is shown, her mission to promote life's wonderful gifts even as it sometimes "knocks" will touch so many more people.

LIFE KNOCKS and it's treatment for the video is copywrited. The attorney for this project is Gary Feldman, Esq., of Philadelphia.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE and TAKE CARE!!!!!!!!!!

-Cynthia DiClaudio