| On June 21, 2003 Eric McLean was first diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. The Leukemia Ironman Fundraiser for Eric (L.I.F.E.) was founded that summer and in a little over a month, $12,000 was raised and donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for cancer research. Eric's older brother Mike ran in the Ironman Wisconsin that fall to help draw even further attention, hence the name in the title.
Then on December 24, 2007, after 4-1/2 years of being cancer free, the news came that Eric McLean's leukemia had relpased. At 23 years old and having just graduated from college, Eric again went through intense chemotherapy treatments and radiation, but this time received a stem cell transplant from his younger sister Lindsey. L.I.F.E. made a comeback as Mike again ran in the Ironman Wisconsin on September 7, 2008, and we raised nearly $16,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
June 5, 2009 Eric's AML relapsed again, only this time doctors gave him a terminal prognosis, and said it could not be cured. He immediately began on his journey to complete a bucket list - a list of things he wanted to accomplish before it was too late: skydiving, driving in a Dodge Viper, gambling in Las Vegas, going to the Caribbean with his family, riding in a hot air balloon, and so much more. It could not have been done without the support and help of many friends, family, and people whom we have never even met.
In July 2009, Eric was given the choice to live the rest of his days as pain free as possible without the intervention of chemotherapy, and simply let the leukemia run its course. He chose to fight it. But even after a month's stay in the hospital and an intense regimen of chemotherapy, nothing was working. We searched for trials nationwide, hoping to find any alternatives to combat his prognosis. In September, Eric agreed to let one of his doctors decided to try an experimental regimen. Remarkably, it seemed to be having a positive effect! A bone marrow biopsy performed on April 22, 2010 showed that 0% of his cells were leukemic, and 100% of his cells were that of his sister Lindsey!! Eric will continue to have biopsies performed every 6-8 weeks. The fact that he is still here with us today is an absolute miracle. The amount of support shown by family, friends, and complete strangers was tremendous.
Now we are devoted to paying that favor of kindness and support forward. L.I.F.E. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that takes 100% of the proceeds and puts them towards others that are in need; through a scholarship program, medical care for a child in need, helping someone check off their own bucket list, or donating to promising research laboratory. We will help draw awareness and contribute towards finding more effective treatments, and one day, a cure.
Thank you for all of your support!
L.I.F.E. |
