RELENTLESS for a cure!

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds lifesaving cancer research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and many other types of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants, that have helped patients live better, longer lives. Beyond that, I have also personally seen the Leukemia and Lymphoma society provide direct assistance for patients in the clinic where I work, in the form of funds, education, and support. There are so many wonderful charities out there that people can help, especially for patients with malignancies. My passion for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society comes from seeing them help patients diagnosed with blood cancers every day in my clinical practice.

More research is critically needed in the fight against blood cancers:

• Every five minutes someone is diagnosed with blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies.
• Leukemia causes more deaths among children than any other cancer.
• Nearly 20,000 Americans died from lymphoma in 2007.
• The survival rate for myeloma is just 34 percent.

This year is very special for me because I will be walking in memory of a patient I met two years ago when I started working at Oncology Specialists of Charlotte. He was a fun-loving fellow that always brought smiles and laughter wherever he went, and he was a dear friend. His family lovingly remembered him as "loving husband, tireless caregiver, dedicated father and adoring grandfather, incorrigible teaser and friend for life...he had a brilliant knack for brightening the day of everyone he encountered even when he wasn't feeling so well himself." He believed in the cause of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and gleefully accepted when I asked if I could walk in his honor in 2007. I am very honored to be walking this year in memory of Mr. Melvin Hamby, who passed away on June 18, 2008 after a courageous battle against leukemia.

Our goal this year is to double the funds we raised at our 2007 walk - last year, we raised almost $1,400. This year, we are going for $2,800. Please support our team as we work to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society help our patients, and continue to be relentless for a cure!!

Special thanks to my 2008 Corporate Sponsors:

Boggs Paving, Incorporated

Site Prep of North Carolina, Incorporated

Dr. and Mrs. H. Grant Taylor