Dear Friends and Family:
I am eager to share with you a huge personal endeavor I have just begun. I am training to run my first marathon! No, I am not insane or nuts (okay, maybe a little), but on January 5, 2005 I will run the PF Chang’s Rock n’ Roll Marathon in Phoenix . . . all 26.2 miles of it . . . with the Desert Mountain States Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and their Team in Training
program.
Each team member is running the marathon on behalf of the Society and a patient. As many of you know, my mom, Lucy, lost her 6-week battle with a very aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) on August 6, 2002. This year there are expected to occur approximately 50, 000 new cases, there will be nearly 25, 000 deaths. Presently, the cause of NHL is unknown and can start almost anywhere in the body, spreading to almost any part of the body, including the liver, bone marrow and spleen. NHL is different from Hodgkin ’s disease and occurs eight times more often. The incidence of NHL continues to increase; it is thought that it is a genetic disorder that may require a ‘trigger’, such as an exposure to something in the environment, to develop.
I have 2 goals: 1) to complete the marathon, and 2) to raise $2, 000 by December 1, 2004. Through the society’s Team in Training
program I am able to achieve my first goal . . . to finish the marathon. I invite you to participate with me
in the marathon, without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Through your generous contributions, I will be able to achieve my second goal and raise $2,000 towards this excellent cause. I also have a websitewhere you can save a stamp and make your donation online.
While the thought of running 26.2 miles all at once seems daunting, to say the least, it is nothing in comparison to the challenges and obstacles that faced my mother. Won’t you please donate to show your support? In doing so, you will be supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s vital mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. And, with each mile run, it is another mile closer to finding a cure.
Please E-mail me if you would like to mail your donation or if you would like to contact me for any reason. Thank you so much for your support and generosity.
Karen E. Cook