Hester Bell's Team In Training Page

Team Ryan

Ryan Compton is two years old. In early March he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at City of Hope. I love that he has chocolate pudding all over his beautiful smile but it makes me angry and sad that he also has a port-a-cath on his chest to deliver chemotherapy directly into his heart. It makes me angry that he must endure numerous blood tests and injections. It makes me angry that he cannot dig in the dirt for worms and bugs and must wear a mask outside to protect his fragile immune system.

So, what am I doing about this? I have joined Team In Training to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I am channeling my anger into determination to complete the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, a half-mile ocean swim, an 18 mile bike ride, and a 4 mile run on September 16, 2007

What can you do?

Reach for your mouse and credit card and click on the donate button. It’s that simple to take a step toward finding new treatments to help Ryan and the thousands of other children and adults who suffer from blood cancers.

On September 16, I will have the honor of wearing Ryan’s name as I participate in the different events. If you are making your donation in honor of some special person who has a blood or other cancer, please allow me to add their name to my jersey and carry their cause through each swim stroke, pedal, and stride. Please email me the name of your honored teammate.

hester.bell@cgu.edu

Thanks for your support.

In 2006, LLS invested $61.6 million in research on the genetics and development of blood cancers, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, and clinical drug trials. Each participant in TNT commits to a minimum goal in fund raising, of this 75% goes to research and 25% supports training and participation in marathons, half-marathons, cycling centuries (100 miles!!), and triathlons (half-Ironman, Olympic, and sprint). Many participants surpass their minimum goal—the great thing is that 100% of funds raised above the minimum goes to support research. My minimum goal is $2800.; my personal goal is to raise over $8000.

$2000 pays for a one month supply of Gleevac (chemotherapy).

$400 pays the 20% co-pay on a month’s supply of Gleevac.

$300-$400 pays for transportation for an out-of-state bone marrow donor.

$240 pays for parking for 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments at UCLA.

$100 pays for 10 Kaiser visit co-pays.

$90 pays for parking for 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments at Children’s Hospital.

You can follow Ryan's progress at:

http://thecomptons.typepad.com/straightouttacompton