Your support means a lot…to me and to thousands of others.

Rich flying in Iraq

My husband, Rich, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on November 8, 2007, five months to the day after we were married. Following his diagnosis was a whirlwind of Dr. appointments, tests, surgeries, days filled with chemotherapy, and then radiation, etc, which kept us busy for many months. We were blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who prayed for us constantly, sent encouraging cards and notes, emailed or called to see how we were doing, and were a great source of strength and encouragement. I am so excited to share with you the news that Rich is officially in remission! We found out two days after we celebrated our first anniversary. :) Though we still have many oncologist appointments ahead of us, we are so thankful to God for bringing us this far, and have every confidence that Rich will never have to face another day of chemo or radiation treatments again.

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that our lives have been very changed over the past few months. Cancer is downright scary, and admittedly, not something I thought I’d ever have to face. But, the reality is that MANY people encounter cancer at least once in their lifetime, whether it is themselves or a loved one who is diagnosed with it. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds lifesaving cancer research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and many types of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants, that have helped patients live better, longer lives. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving the quality of life.

But more research is critically needed:

• Every five minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer.
• Every 10 minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer.
• Leukemia causes more deaths among children than any other cancer.
• Nearly 20,000 Americans died from lymphoma in 2007.

Please make a donation and support my participation in the Light The Night Walk in Fort Worth on October 12th as I walk in honor of Rich and all of those who are battling a blood cancer, and in memory of those who lost that battle. Your donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference and help save lives.

With Sincere Gratitude,

Melanie