EXCLUSIVE: ALEX O'LOUGHLIN deeply appreciates the support from his fans

|June 25, 2010| by Sabine Atkins, owner/editor-in-chief, www.alexoloughlinfansfordonatelife.com


What do you do when Alex O'Loughlin suddenly stands in front of you in an elevator?

When Alex first appeared at the Donate Life Hollywood VIP party, he seemed as far away as the most distant star in the night sky above the Paley Center roof garden. And when it was announced that he is Donate Life Hollywood's Person of the Year 2010, Alex seemed larger than life: Once more, very much like it was on "Three Rivers", he expressed a solemn gratitude about being put at the right place, at the right time to make a positive impact. Even though there won't be any new episodes of the series that saved lives and increased the national public's positive attitude toward organ donation by 6%, Alex will continue to work for Donate Life.

The time of my exclusive Meet & Greet with Alex came soon after he had received his award. He had talked to other guests at the party, had been interviewed and lots of photos had been taken as well. Big lights still illuminated him, and I really didn't expect I would witness his marvelous transformation from "Hollywood celebrity" to "the guy next door". Or, in my case, "the guy in the elevator".

Meet & Greets often take place in foyers, and Donate Life Hollywood director Tenaya Wallace gestured to my husband Brian and me that we should follow her, Alex and photographer Susan Whitney. Alex gallantly offered Tenaya his arm, and we all went down a set of stairs to an elevator. There hadn't been time yet to officially introduce me to Alex, and seeing him standing so close in front of me, while I was entering the elevator, made my heart skip a beat. But I didn't say a word, just smiled at him and quickly turned around to make room for my husband, as the elevator was filling up fast.

Suddenly, Alex's beautiful voice was right next to my ear: "That's a really big bag you got." All the way down to the foyer, he was joking about the "elevator-inappropriate" (his words, not mine) size of my handbag. I really had to pull myself together, otherwise I would have burst out laughing. Tenaya quickly jumped to my rescue, introducing me to Alex.

He happily greeted me with a firm handshake, I congratulated him to his award, and he smiled humbly.


Alex's face started to glow, as I continued, telling him how much all of his fans love and support him. His deep blue eyes grew larger and larger, expressing such an intense appreciation about everything his fans do for him, it almost took my breath away. At one point, I slipped, saying "your worldwide friends -" instead of "fans", but Alex didn't mind, he just nodded vehemently with a big smile.


One of the most admirable things about Alex is that he doesn't take anything for granted. He is an extremely intelligent and very strong man, emotionally and physically, with a hilarious sense of humor - and he is not afraid of showing his feelings when he sees how much his fans love him: He was amazed and touched beyond words.

Alex learned more about the "Alex O'Loughlin Fans for Donate Life" website, and the activities of its contributors.

In the binder for him, I also included photos of the fans who contribute text and artwork to our website.

In this photo, Alex admires more of Maud's artwork.


Alex was especially impressed to learn that fans from all over the world support him as Ambassador for Donate Life. This photo shows a picture of Claire Eyles, our website's chief social media admin/author for Australia.

I also have to admit that my brain got a bit fuzzy at that moment ;)

Then I said that a few fans asked me to give him a hug from them. I asked him first whether it would be okay to hug him - and next thing I know, Alex pulls me close to his chest.

This is a hug from Alex for all his fans!!


Alex is absolutely one of the sweetest, most genuine human beings I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He regrets so very much that he doesn't have more time to interact with his fans. All of his fans can be very, very proud of loving and admiring him! But, what am I saying? They already are!!

After "Christmas in June" was over, Alex instructed his assistant Diana to take good care of the presents. The next photo and interview session was waiting, and he needed to hold his award again. "Give me another hug," he said.


Then he gave me a little kiss on the cheek and went on to do the interview.

Alex will be back on CBS this fall, starring as Detective Steve McGarrett in the most anticipated new series "Hawaii Five-0"!


As always, I'm so grateful to Tenaya Wallace for giving me the opportunity to meet Alex in person. Soon, I will write more about my other impressions of the Donate Life Hollywood Film Festival, and I can't thank Tenaya enough for her generous invitation. In many aspects, it truly was a life-changing experience for me.

Three of the photos in this article were taken with my own camera, all others were again kindly provided by the wonderful Susan Whitney.

In September 2010, Alex sent me his personal Thank You note for a fundraising campaign by the German Alex O'Loughlin Fan Club in honor of his birthday: