Jeff Hester's Team in Training Page
Running to Save Lives
May 23rd UPDATE: The San Diego Rock-and-Roll Marathon is June 3rd -- just 1-1/2 weeks away -- and I am ready! Help me reach my fundraising goal -- donate today.
If you want to follow along, I'm logging all my runs in this calendar. Also, the San Diego Rock-and-Roll Marathon is Sunday, June 3rd, but I need to wrap up my fundraising no later than May 11th, so if you plan on helping, please make a note to do so by then!
Yes, it's true. I really am training to run in this year's San Diego Rock-and-Roll Marathon on June 3rd. And yes, it will be my first marathon. And yes, as-a-matter-of-fact I am 45 years old.
Why on earth would I run 26.2 miles? Am I really crazy, or do I
just look that way? The answer is simple. I'll be running as a member of
the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. All of us
on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma and
myeloma from taking more lives. I'm training, working hard, and completing
this marathon in honor of the individuals who are bravely battling blood
cancers. These are the real heroes on our team -- people like Eric
Richart (yep, he's the kid with the soccer ball).
Eric is 10 years old and is being treated for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (also known as ALL). It's currently in remission, but Eric still takes oral chemo and other meds daily, as well as undergoing monthly treatments at CHOC. Eric is my team's Honorary Hero.
A few statistics about blood cancers...
- An estimated 712,145 Americans are currently living with blood cancers.
- Every five minutes, someone is diagnosed – more than 110,00 new cases are expected this year.
- Every 10 minutes, someone dies from blood cancers – an estimated 55,100 deaths in 2004
- Leukemia causes more deaths than any other blood cancer among children and young adults under the age of 20.
You can help! Over the coming months I'll be training seriously, but I need your help. My goal is to raise $2,800 to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Since it's founding in 1949, the Society has invested over $360 million in research. In fact, over 75% of all funds raised go directly into research, education and patient services -- one of the best ratios among all charitable organizations.
Here's where you come in! Nope, I'm not asking you to don your running shoes and run 26.2 miles (unless you want to... just let me know!). But I am asking for your support. Please help me reach my goal, and more importantly, help save lives with your tax deductable donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me at jeff@bigblueball.com or (909) 286-1952.
You can donate right now, online with your credit card (click
the big "Donate Now" button on the left), or you
can mail in a check. If just thirty people give $100, I'll surpass my goal.
Remember, your donation helps give people like Eric hope for the
future.
Warm Regards,
Jeff
P.S. - I've already started my training. Check back here for updates on my training and fundraising progress.
P.S.S. - If you would like to mail in your donation, please send your check payable to "The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society" or "LLS" to:
Jeff Hester
9 Carlsbad Ln.
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
