As we reach the end of the LLS Man of the Year campaign, I want to thank each and every one of you who came through for me, but more importantly, for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Your dollars will make a difference. They will be spent wisely. They will be spent to help cure blood-related cancers. They will be spent to help patients and their families.

I got into this largely because of Jack Woods and Elise Reinfeldt. They are two children that I really don't know, but they are the children of people that I know, like and respect. And as a parent, seeing the suffering of the kids and parents hits my heart so deeply. After all, before I am anything else, I am Abby and Matthew's dad!

I have been to St Jude three times with the Titans. Because of the treatments, we mostly had to stay in the lobbies, visiting with the parents and siblings of those being treated. To see the wore out looks of the parents. To see the brothers and sisters having to pass long hours while in a hospital.

The helplessness that those people must feel would seem to be unimaginable. I have thought about them endlessly through this campaign.

Leukemia, Lymphoma and all blood-related cancers hit people of any age. But it just breaks your heart when it comes to kids and their families. Hopefully, some day we won't have to talk about this any more. Hopefully, some day blood-related cancers will be a thing of the past.

Those hopes are the reasons that I did this, not to be Man of the Year. This cause hit the heart, plain and simple.

If you have given to my campaign, thank you again. If you haven't and would consider making a donation, it would be appreciated.

More than that, when LLS calls on you in the future, I hope that you will give again, take part in a campaign or try in whatever way that you can to make a difference. They are an organization worthy of your support.