Okay, I've done it... I've joined the Spring 2008 Tour of the California Alps-- affectionately known as The Death Ride (yikes!) I've never done anything quite like this before, but with the help of my friends and family, I'm prepared to roll! What I need now is your encouragement, support, and enthusiasm to get through 129 miles of Markleeville's mountainous terrain, climbing 15,000 feet of elevation. Definitely I've lost all common sense...

All of us at Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. Although I have not been personally related to someone with these terrible diseases, I'm honoring those that have, or are suffering from the loss of a loved one.

My personal honorees are:

Uncle Leo Katz

Professor Gail Weinstein

Great-aunt Trudi Kazlov

Dan Hennessy

Rosemary Hawk

Located in the stunning California Alps, The Death Ride course covers five mountain passes. This super challenging course is 129 miles with 15,000 feet of climbing all done at elevation. The Death Ride is on JULY 12th.

The Death Ride

I will keep a blog of my progress here:

Click here to visit my blog

It’s not easy asking people for a donation but I find the courage to go out and ask, knowing that we are making a difference in the lives of others. I am reaching out for everyone I can possibly think of to help. I am asking for you to support me on the ride of my life, to give life. I am asking as an advocate for those in need. I need your help! My hard work, for your generosity. My deadline to collect and recommit is September 30th. So if you care enough to give, a 100% tax deductible donation, in form of a check, can be made out to:

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society mailed to my address:

Kaya Beeley

585 9th St. #428

Oakland, Ca 94607

or with a simple click to the left of this page...you may DONATE on a secured site with a credit card...

Any amount would be greatly appreciated. My clever friend, Nicole, has decided to sponsor me per mile...129 miles = $129

If you are able to navigate in the corporate world and can help contact Corporate sponsors, please help me go down that road (my# 510-457-8145).

Many work for large corporations who have set aside funds to join you in your charitable contributions. You will be surprised how much can be raised for this worthy cause . All you have to do is ask…

* $1,000 Will help The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fund a researcher to find a cure.

* $500 Will provide patient aid to a person with leukemia or a related cancer for a year.

* $100 Will provide a patient with transportation cost associated with traveling from home to the cancer center.

* $75 Will provide bone morrow typing for a family member of a patient with leukemia.

* $50 Will register one person to be a bone marrow donor.

* $25 Will pay for the cost of a patient's chemotherapy drug prescription co-pay.

* $ Any donation will help continue the research needed to find a cure.

I hope you'll visit my web site often. Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. I've only ever ridden 100 flat miles, so this will be a huge challenge. Thanks for your support!