Michael Zolkoski's Team In Training Page
Racing to Save Lives
On September 16th, 2007, I will be racing in the Dave Scott Half-Ironman in Dallas, Texas. For those not in the know, that is a 1.2 mile open water swim followed by a 56 mile bike that is topped off with a 13.1 mile run. Crazy you ask? Well, I think life is about facing challenges and succeeding when the trial seems impossible. Don’t worry about me though, because I am not doing this alone. I have joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program. Through this program, I have great coaches, mentors and teammates whose support will help me cross the finish line.
More importantly even than my physical commitment to the program is my commitment to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in its effort to battle Leukemia and related cancers. These diseases strike some 107,000 Americans each year and acute leukemia is the number one cause of death of children under the age of 15. One of the greatest contributions of the Society is toward research. Significant progress has been made in the treatment of this disease, and researchers are now optimistic that they will find a cure within 6 years!
I am not only running this race for the Society, but also in memory of several friends who have lost in their fight with Leukemia. Finding a cure for this disease is the best way to save the lives of millions who have or will get this disease. Research is the key to finding a cure, and funding for this research is essential. I have set a personal goal to raise $2400 toward this effort. As I grind through the miles, you will be with me in spirit, and your sponsorship will inspire me to swim/bike/run stronger and faster to the finish line. A donation of one dollar per mile is suggested, but whatever you can do to contribute matters…it all adds up! With over 75% of your donation going directly to research, you truly can make a difference.
If possible, please send your donation by June 9th so I can monitor my fundraising efforts. However, I will continue to accept donations until the day of the race. Every donation helps-small or large! For those of you that work for a company that matches non-profit donations, please contact us directly to help double your donations and achieve our fund-raising goal even faster!
I will be documenting this journey on my blog at (blog.mr-java.com). I hope you'll visit often. Be sure to check back frequently to check on my progress. Drop me a line at mike@mr-java.com and let me know how you think I’m doing. It’s going to be an exciting 4 months! Thanks for your support!
Thanks,
- Mike Zolkoski
What is Blood Cancer? Leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma are cancers that originate in the bone marrow or lymphatic tissues. They are considered to be related cancers because they involve the uncontrolled growth of cells with similar functions and origins. The diseases result from an acquired genetic injury to the DNA of a single cell, which becomes abnormal (malignant) and multiplies continuously. The accumulation of malignant cells interferes with the body's production of healthy blood cells and can leave the body unable to protect itself against infection.
What is Leukemia? Leukemia is a malignant disease (cancer) of the bone marrow and blood. It is characterized by the uncontrollable accumulation of blood cells. Leukemia is divided into 4 categories: myelogenous or lymphocytic, each of which is acute or chronic
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society was founded in 1949 by parents who lost their only son to leukemia and recognized the need for the creation of a separate organization dedicated to finding cures for the disease through research. Since 1954 the organization has raised $360 million in research grants. Now annually they raise $36 million. The LLS grant program is one of the most prestigious in the fields of hematology & oncology.
The money raised goes towards:
1. Research
2. Patient Services
3. Advocacy
4. Community Outreach
5. Education
Facts and Figures about Leukemia:
• Every 5 minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer.
• Every ten minutes, another child or adult is expected to die from leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. This statistic represents 151 people each day, or six people every hour.
• 187,285- people in the U.S. living with or in remission from Leukemia.
• 29%- more males are living with leukemia than women
• Leukemia causes more deaths than any other cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20.
