Leukemia Forum - Blood Related Cancers

November 17, 2003
dear friends and family,
i hope all is well for you this year! I have been quite busy this year. As you know i'm always trying to save the world so I am hoping I can depend on your support for a very worthy and credible cause for children and adults in illinois. My purpose is very straight forward: I am going to raise $4,900 for the illinois chapter of the leukemia and lymphoma society by running a marathon (26.2 miles) in rome, italy. The leukemia and lymphoma society is a national voluntary health agency dedicated to curing leukemia and other blood cancers, as well as improving the quality of life of patients and their families.
I am not alone in this effort; I am a member of the largest endurance- training program in the country, team in training (tnt). The mission of tnt is to use endurance events such as marathons, half marathons, 100-mile century bicycle rides and triathlons as a means of support to raise money for the leukemia & lymphoma society. Last year the illinois chapter of tnt had over 1,200 volunteers participate and raise over 3.5 million. It's that kind of effort and dedication that helped my decision to support this worthy cause.

Thanks to fund raising efforts like that, the overall survival rates from blood related cancers have tripled over the last ten years; in 1960 there was only a 10-15% survival rate, today there is over an 80-85% survival rate. As terrific as that is, there are still some horrific facts. Leukemia is the leading cause of death in children under age of 15. Every nine minutes, another child or adult is expected to die from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. This statistic represents 160 people each day- seven people every hour. Leukemia and lymphoma are the leading fatal cancers in young men under age 39. We need your help!

Every tnt member participates in honor of a patient honoree. A patient honoree is someone from illinois who has been stricken with some form of blood cancer. I am currently being matched up with a patient honoree. As soon as I am paired up I will send out an update along with their photo.
I am going to have aches and pains during my training runs, and it is certainly going to be a battle getting up the hills and across the finish line of the 26.2mile course. However, clearly, it could never compare to the many victims affected daily by blood related cancers. But you and I can share the pride in giving to thousands alike. Please remember that each donation is tax deductable.

Join my patient honoree and I in the fight against cancer by filling out the enclosed donor form. Please be generous and contribute any amount you can, $35, $50, $75, $150 or more. Every donation counts and improves the survival rates and gets us closer to a cure. Also, see the donor form for a complete breakdown on how the money is spent.

Please think about this for a few seconds and consider helping me fight cancer because there are 1,900 new cases of this disease every week. Think about if you knew that your future donation would prevent a loved one from hearing a diagnosis like each victim and their families heard? Please write a check payable to the leukemia & lymphoma society and mail it in the self-addresses envelope by january 1st.