On January 11th, 2004, I will be running my second marathon in Orlando, Florida, at Walt Disney World. I will join hundreds of other South Floridians as part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training program. My goal to complete the 26.2 mile marathon is only my physical commitment to this program. My most important goal is to raise $2100.00 to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in its effort to battle leukemia - the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 15 - which will touch the lives of more than 50,000 people this year alone. Last year, in my first attempt at Disney, I finished in 7 hours, 22 minutes, and 44 seconds, and I was able to raise $1932.00
I am once again running in honor of some very special people who I consider to be my "Honored Teammates". Carol Schwartz is a 59-year-old patient who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2001. After only two years of treatment, she is now in remission and doing very well. Eric Mayer is a 34-year-old who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease and, after a strong treatment plan, went into remission. He has stayed in remission for about 12 years. And on a more personal note, I will again be running in honor of my brother-in-law, Tom Hundley, Jr., who has been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). At the present time, he has been able to manage his leukemia without radiation or chemotherapy, and it is our hope that this will continue to be the case. I will wear a bracelet in their honor because I know they will inspire me to continue the endurance training with a great attitude and to face the Saturday morning trainings at 4:45 a.m. (yes, that early!!) with a purpose.
There are a couple of ways that you can help me to reach my goals: (1) You can support me by giving generously to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on my behalf. Significant progress has been made in the treatment of leukemia. Fifteen years ago the survival rate was 4% - today it is 80%! Researchers are optimistic that they will find a cure within 6 years. Your donation is the key to achieving this goal! (2) If you do any shopping at all online, you can go to a website that I have set up at www:iGive.com/CherylsRun. The people at iGive.com have made arrangements with various companies with an online presence (such as Barnes and Noble, Columbia House, Disney Store, eBay, Eddie Bauer, FTD.com, Lands’ End, and many more) that if people sign up with iGive.com and do their shopping with these companies through iGive.com, the companies will donate a percentage (up to 26%) of what you spend back to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Please print out the donor form (link at bottom of this page) and send your tax deductible donation to me at 4941 SW 27th Ave., Dania Beach, FL 33312, by November 30, 2003. Of course, donations can and will be accepted after this date should that be more convenient for you! Any contribution will make a difference, but please, if you are at all able to, contribute something! Please remember that your contribution is tax deductible because by definition, you are not receiving anything "of value" for your donation. How ironic - your contribution is saving lives!!
Thank you very much for your support as I work to achieve both my physical and financial goals in honor of this wonderful cause!
Sincerely,
Cheryl Barth
Links
Printable Donor Form
Team in Training Website
iGive.com Shopping Website
