Kickoff Celebration

Like I said below, I have decided to join TNT and complete the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on May 31. It's a bit of a daunting task, but when I compare it to what the victims of Leukemia, Lymphoma and other blood cancers have faced and continue to face, I know that I can do my piece.

Today was the kickoff celebration for the Spring season. Athletes from all of the events were there, as were the coaches. What an exciting place to be! There were hikers, cyclist, triathalon competitors and, of course, us run/walkers. We also were able to listen to one of the honored heros speak. Honored heros are people who have faced, or are currently facing, a blood cancer. They put a face to what we are doing and why we are doing it. I don't have all the names and details complete, but I would like to relay a story that was told to us this morning. The gentleman who spoke was a former high school All American in football and track here in Phoenix. He went to ASU where he played football and graduated in 1995. In 1997 he was diagnosed with a form of Leukemia only treatable by a bone marrow transplant. He was given 3 years to live as no donor was found. In 1999 a donor was finally located. The transplant was in November of that year. He was in the hospital for 3 months and not able to see too many people as his immune system was completely shot. By the time he was released, he was so weak that he could only walk for 15 minutes at a time at a 3 mph speed. This disease stole 7 years of his life. Since then, due to LLS funding of research, a new drug has been created for this type of Leukemia. It is so successful that it was able to put a member of the LLS board into remission after only 7 days. This is what LLS is all about - providing cures and improving the quality of life for patients.

I am so humbled by this task of assisting to raise these funds. I hope that I am successful and able to compete. There is nothing I want more than to give my all in support of those whose suffering is far worse than I could ever imagine.

If you feel so led, please stop by my donation page. You can give a tax deductible donation straight to the foundation through the website. See me personally if you would rather give cash. Thank you so much for your time!