With corporate and foundation donations down, and the uncertainty of government grants, individual donors have been heralded as a way for organizations to weather the recession. In this climate it only makes sense to connect with individual donors, who often make unrestricted contributions.

The big questions are how to best attain new donors and build a relationship with them so they become annual contributors. One method that some consider passé is direct mail. When done right, however, direct mail can still be very effective.

I admit that getting my mail can feel discouraging because it seems that the only envelopes in the box are junk ads, bills or requests for donations.  I am less turned off when the request for money comes from an organization with which I am familiar. I am actually excited when it is from an organization that I know—it’s almost as if I get a chance to catch up with an old friend. When I recently read a donation request letter from EarthLinks, an innovative program that combines the goal of sustaining the planet with that of sustaining the urban poor, I felt like clapping and saying, “Good job!” I was very glad to see that Earthlinks had expanded their social enterprise by having new, bigger ticket items for sale that were advertised in the letter, such as compost bins.  Not only were these items more relevant to their mission of linking homeless and low-income people to work with the environment, but their expanded products provided a greater return on investment for the donor than the book marks I purchased from them a few years ago.  Although I can’t make a donation now, they are keeping me as an informed friend who will consider returning as a donor in the future. To learn more about the items EarthLinks has for sale, fairs they attend or how to support them, go to: earthlinks-colorado.org

Another recent direct mail campaign I find impressive is the Neighborhood Campaign offered by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Many of the Society’s volunteers help with fundraising and work as ambassadors by mailing their neighbors personalized requests to donate. Although I am too busy for my own good, I recently agreed to do a small Neighborhood Campaign because I had a childhood friend die last year due to leukemia. More research and better treatment is needed for this terrible disease.

Bruny Lynch, national director of the Neighborhood Campaigns, attested to the success of their mail campaign, saying, “Annually about 500,000 individuals will volunteer and help generate about $12.9 million in collections and personal donations…it’s a wonderful way to also meet your neighbors, make friends and increase awareness about blood cancers, research and patient programs.”

Although direct mail industry averages point to low returns—the Direct Marketing Association estimates that the average response rate for direct mail is 2.61%—personalized direct mail garners much higher success—some say as high as 17%. To find out how to make direct mail work for you, join me at a hands-on direct mail training on October 22 at JVA’s Denver office from noon to 1:30 p.m. You’ll leave the training with a draft of your very own direct mail letter.  For more information and to register, click here.

Funds benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. Its mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

“I would have to say that they did an amazing job,” said Diane McLaughlin, campaign manager of school and youth programs for LLS. “ They were able to exceed the net income goal, and even though it was less money raised than in previous years, with this economy we were very pleased.”

Students from 151 schools collected pocket change to fill collection jars in the classrooms. The class that collected the most money at each school received a pasta party by their local Olive Garden restaurant.

This year’s top fundraising schools in the LLS Desert Mountain States Chapter include Desert Ridge Junior High School in Mesa with $10,027, Canyon Rim Elementary School in Mesa with $9,788 and Desert View Academy in Yuma with $5,925.

To learn more about the Pasta for Pennies program and how to take part in the 2011 effort call 602-567-7594 or visit LLS.org or schoolandyouth.org/dm.

Here is the webpage to get all the information about how you can show this amazing woman a little support in her quest to beat this monster blood cancer. No donation is too small, ever! When coupled with others, it turns into a means to ” fund lifesaving research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and treatments for other types of cancer, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life”.  

I don’t want anyone to ever go through any event that is life altering by feeling alone. It is our social networking sites that allow us to go through these times with the arms of people from all across the country, around us and offering comfort.   

On June 8, 2010 if you eat at Noodles and Company in Glenview (‎1851 Tower Drive, Glenview, IL) on June 8th and mention the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society a portion of the sales will go to the Society. 

However, after talking to many triathletes and reading a lot of training material, I decided that swimming was probably harder than I thought. After all, most people train for the distance in a pool where they can take a break on the wall, use the lines underwater to sight, where there are no waves, no current, no people to kick you in the face or drag you by your feet, and the water is clear. In fact, I went from thinking that swimming would be my strength to considering the fact that I might drown.

At St. Anthony’s, I was concerned for Matt – until he put on his wet suit and gained his confidence back in the water.

So, I decided I better train early for my swim – even though it’s only a quarter of a mile. Originally, I was going to start in a pool and move to open water swim so that I could learn my technique then apply it out in the water.

However, North Shore pool has limited hours unless you pay to be a “master.” (Triathlons, as a sport, are incredibly expensive.) Matt and Cesar swim in north county, but my schedule isn’t quite the same as theirs.

Saturday, while running with Team, I mentioned that I wanted to train with the Team members that are participating in Nation’s Tri since I need to incorporate biking and swimming into my routine. My running coach told me that the Mad Dogs do an open water swim in Pass-a-Grille every Wednesday and I decided that I would just have to go out there and try.

Yesterday, I bought a suit, goggles, and ear plugs during my lunch. I left work around 5:15 and drove down to Pass-a-Grille. I was really nervous when I got there. A couple Mad Dogs mentioned that there was a current and the waves were “mid-level.”

I changed out of my work clothes into my suit and tried to find a place to leave my car keys. I met two other women who became members of the Mad Dogs last year. They let me keep my keys with their bags. As we walked out in front of the flag pole at Frank T. Hurley Park, I started to panic. The Mad Dogs walk a mile down the beach to the Don Cesar and swim back up to the pole. Let me tell you, a mile is far. Hell, a half mile is far!

According to my “couch-to-tri” training guide, I should swim about 200 yards (in a pool) on my first day, taking a break on the wall every two laps to breathe. So I decided to stick with that distance yesterday – without the breaks.

I was afraid to be in the water alone. I tried to find someone who might be swimming just a quarter of a mile, but most people do the full mile or at least a half. Then, as the flag pole got to a distance that I felt was a couple hundred yards, right about when I was going to make my 90 degree turn and walk out into the water, I saw Lisa. Good thing I’m not shy! I went running down the beach and said, “Wait! Wait! I’m Kat. I’m new at this. Is it okay if I swim with you?” She seemed a bit shocked and taken aback. She told me that she was training for a triathlon and she was only doing a couple hundred yards – “only.” I told her that was my goal distance for my first swim. So she agreed to let me follow her.

Now here’s the part where you should ignore what I have to say. We walked out past the break and started swimming. At first, I tried to keep her ankles at my shoulders and her body about three feet away from me (it’s hard to see in salt water.) Then, I realized that was too close, so I gave her more room and started sighting her and the flag pole above the water. A few times, I got ahead of her and I decided to wait. Then I realized, I’m swimming too fast. I was literally stopping to wait. So I just went for it.

I’m not about to tell you my swim was pretty or fast. I definitely did the breath stroke a few times to sight Lisa and the flag pole. I mostly breath-stroked at the end because my goggles were fogged and I was trying to determine if I was swimming further offshore (I think I did) and to see how far I was from the flag pole. I’m not very good at bilateral breathing. When I was a child, I would breathe to my right. Now I find that I breathe to my left, which is great for Top Gun because I’ll be facing the beach. I lost both ear plugs, but I didn’t get any water in my ear (thank god, I had such terrible experiences with ear aches as a child – water in my ear freaks me out.) At one point, however, I did swallow a wave. I got out of breath and decided to backstroke. Well, I didn’t really back stroke. I float pretty well so I just turned over and kicked and watched for the flag pole.

All in all, I would say that I free-styled 85 percent of my swim, breath-stroked 10 percent, and back-stroked 5. I felt that was pretty phenomenal for someone with no training. In fact, when I got out of the water, I felt great. What was I worried about? I should go do another couple hundred yards! (Except yesterday was Cinco de Mayo, I was 30 minutes from home, and had to be ready to go out in about 45 minutes.)

So, I didn’t find that I had nearly the amount of trouble that most people do. Like I originally thought, I’m Floridian. I spent my entire childhood in a pool or on the beach. I know how to swim. I’m calm in the water. Most importantly, I’m a floater. I’m feeling really good after my first swim and I think next Wednesday, I’m going to try a half mile. I’ll probably chicken out and do a quarter, but maybe I’ll get back in the water and do it twice.

The great thing about the beach is that if I do get tired, all I have to do is stand up and walk to shore. I hate to say it, and I certainly don’t want to jinx myself, but what’s all the hype about?

I am training as an individual for the Top Gun triathlon on July 31st. This endurance training also prepares me for the Nike Women’s Half Marathon that I am participating in as a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. Please consider donating. We’re running to save lives: http://pages.teamintraining.org/sun/nikesf10/kclemenvdu

I broke the cardinal rule. I went out last night. I drank a few drinks. I was out until 3 (mostly because I didn’t realize I wouldn’t have access to my car until we all walked back to the gated community where I was parked.)

I passed out 3:20 a.m. The alarm went off at 6:20. I thought about sleeping in – but it was our first training session as a team, and I’m going to be out of town for the next one and perhaps the one after that. Once I rolled out of bed, I actually didn’t feel so bad.  I was actually kind of excited to meet my teammates and try to conquer a 5k.

I met my coach and we stretched  as a group. He asked which of us would be walking and which of us would be running. I answered that I’m in between — a run-walker, as we call ourselves — as did Cara, the other girl that’s doing Nike. So now, there are 4 of us doing Nike Women’s Half Marathon. Me, Kim, Cara, and Cindy.

Cindy is a survivor. Before every training, we have an inspirational moment (that’s not what they called it, but you get the gist.) Cindy was diagnosed in February of 2006. They told her she had 3 years to live. Because of breakthrough medications funded by LLS research, Cindy is very much alive and well today. She says it’s because of people like us that she’s alive – because of us that they have two alternative medicines if the drug that saved her life doesn’t work.

Our run today was at North Shore – an area I’m really familiar with. When he told me we were running from North Shore restrooms, over Snell Isle Bridge, down to the golf course and back, I thought, “my god, that’s far.” Here’s the kicker. He estimates that’s 2.8 miles. Hello! That’s not even the 5k I thought we were doing today! How can that be possible?

So we take off running and I feel the pace is a bit too quick for me today, but I keep up until I’ve almost reached the bridge. (Hey, that’s far for me!) Cara stopped a few paces back and we both run-walked to the golf course. I decided to wait for her – after all, we are a team and I’m not competing! So we had a nice conversation and decided to do some additional training together. A couple times, I grabbed her arm and we jogged together. At the end, I made her walk right up until we sprinted to the end.

As we ran across our “finish line” I said, “look at all these handsome firemen and our beautiful Tiffany’s finisher necklaces!”

Hey, whatever gets us pumped!

Please donate at my fundraising website. It’s for a good cause. http://pages.teamintraining.org/sun/nikesf10/kclemenvdu

Please visit and donate! Go TEAM!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sun/nikesf10/kclemenvdu

When Matt joined his company’s triathlon team, I was really jealous. I was jealous because I didn’t have the opportunity or support to train for an endurance event and I was jealous because I certainly didn’t have the money.

However, thanks to a new job and support from Matt, I am in a better condition to consider becoming an endurance athlete.

I decided I wanted to run a triathlon for a few reasons: 1) I want to get into shape. 2) Matt has been training for multiple endurance events and it takes up a lot of his time. I thought it was something we could do together in our journey to lose weight and make new friends. 3) And the main reason I decided to do a triathlon: I want to see if I can finish.

With that said, I decided to register for the Top Gun Sprint Triathlon at Ft. Desoto because I feel like it’s a distance I can complete and, of course, Matt really wants me to. So during Escape From Ft. Desoto and St. Anthony’s, I was there to support Matt. I helped him pack, tried to help him relax, woke up early with him and rode out to the events, carried his stuff around, and took pictures. I will admit that I started to wonder who was going to do that for me, particularly when I ran (as a spectator, of course) from St. Anthony’s swim start at Spa Beach to the transition area at Vinoy Park to take photos of his transition. Matt’s competing in Top Gun and I wouldn’t ask him not to but I was really worried about my own first triathlon.

Then, I noticed something. The group I had noticed at swim start earlier, TEAM In Training (TNT), had quite a lot of supporters and an even larger number of participants. When people fell or looked tired, TNT coaches and supporters cheered them on, helped them up, kept them going, until they crossed the finish line. I thought to myself, “how wonderful to have so many people on your side.” I did notice that their shirts said The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and I started to wonder how much it would cost to participate with them and began to think I couldn’t afford their support.

Matt noticed the large number of supporters and participants too. Knowing that I was concerned about training and event-day support, Matt suggested I look into TEAM a bit further. So I did.

I gotta tell you, it’s mighty appealing. They offer training and coaches for the five months before your event, t-shirts, airfare and accommodations for your chosen event (that they support*) -  all if you raise your fundraising goal for LLS, of course. Not to mention, I get to make friends who are as motivated as I am. We’re all starting out together, training together,  supporting each other. Sure, I initially thought the fundraising might be hard, but after I found out that TEAM had spots for Nike Women’s Marathon (and half marathon) in San Francisco with incentives like the “chocolate mile,” pedicures, and a Tiffany-designed finisher’s necklace, I was sold.

Note: Nike holds a lottery to gain registration for this event every year – and with good reason. They are 20,000 women who compete in this event every year and I guarantee you there are at least 10 times more who’d like to.

So, I did start this venture out for my own selfish reasons. I wanted to run an endurance event. I wanted support. I really wanted to go to San Francisco. I even convinced Kim to join me on my journey – well, TEAM helped persuade her too.

Today, I went to my kickoff meeting. I have got to tell you, it’s incredibly inspiring and completely heart-warming. I won’t go into too much detail because you would have to be there and hear the stories – I can’t do them justice. But in short, the first speaker got everyone pumped up and excited.

The next speaker explained how she became involved with TEAM. Her son was diagnosed with a blood cancer at the age of 10 and she would spend her days literally running around All Children’s Hospital in circles. One day, someone suggested she do something with that energy for her son. So, she joined TEAM. She ran many endurance events in honor of her son and her family raised over $4o,000 for LLS. Her son passed at the age of 14, but she says that it’s because of LLS that they found a drug that would prevent her son from getting violently ill during his many experiences with chemo. She said that, as a teacher and someone who felt helpless, she wrote about her son’s journey in a journal which eventually became her first book. She recently published a book called (something like) “The Bald Princess.” It’s a children’s book written for cancer patients. She reads it to her fourth grade class every year and this year she has a survivor in her class who can be the resident expert and hero. She talked about travelling the world and the school that held a surprise fundraiser for her in Ireland. It was incredibly inspiring.

Then, a survivor, participant, and coach (one person) came up and spoke about his experiences. He told us that it isn’t going to be easy, but to think about the great work we’re doing and what it means to those we fight for. He said, “you probably thought to yourself, ‘what am I thinking?!’ Then, you went home after your information meeting and decided to join TEAM and you went home and told all your  friends and family. And they were so supportive, ‘You’re going to do what?!’” (Actually, Matt said, “That’s really long! Do you know how long that is?!”) The speaker proceeded to tell us that we’re going to do it. He said that he knows we’re strong enough because we decided to do an endurance event – that we’re not normal. He said we’ll complete it because we’ve got a lot of people one our side, cheering for us and supporting us. He said we’ll complete it because every time it gets hard, we’ll think about our Honored Patient and we’ll tough it out.

I got really pumped up. I got pumped up about getting in shape, completing a half-marathon, making new friends, and accomplishing something. I got pumped up about doing something good, something bigger than me, something meaningful, something that makes a difference to someone in need.

I met one of our Honored Patients. She said, “I’m one of the lucky ones. Some of the other Honored Patients aren’t as lucky.” She’s doing Nike too. I’m really excited that we’ll be training side-by-side, that she’s done so well because of the medical advances, that she’s out there helping our other Honored Patients that aren’t doing as well.

I’m ready. Let’s train. Let’s raise some money. Let’s cross the finish line.

And on that note: Kim and I decided to combine our efforts so our friends won’t have to decide who to donate to. Our goal is $7,000 before Oct. 17 but I really think we can raise more than that. Please, I understand that everyone is broke, but every dollar adds up. Tell your friends, tell your coworkers, be a corporate sponsor! I’ll do all the leg-work for you, literally – all you have to do is give. Visit our fundraising site here:

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sun/nikesf10/kclemenvdu

*TEAM targets a few different endurance events each season for which we will train. In short, there are a lot of endurance events all over the nation, so they can’t organize to attend them all. Special thanks to my mom, dad, and Corie for supporting me during my first triathlon – Top Gun on July 31, 2010.

Option A – Give & Get:

From March 18th to March 21st you can save 30% at Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy–including the outlet stores–when you register at Give & Get.  And it gets better from there!  When you register you choose a non-profit from the following list to receive a donation of 5% of your purchase amount: The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, World Wildlife Fund, Feeding America, Teach for America, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Dress for Success.  Every little bit helps!

Option B - Queer the Census:

If the 2010 census helps decide how government resources are allocated, why aren’t there any questions regarding sexual orientation?  At a critical moment in the US when Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is being challenged as well as the restrictions on gay marriage, wouldn’t it be helpful to know how many of its citizens are straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender?  For heaven’s sake, the census even lists “negro” as a race option.  Obviously, it’s time for the census to get a major update.

That’s why Queer the Census has created a sticker to be attached to the outside of the census envelopes.  The sticker gives respondents the opportunity to state their sexual orientation (and for me, the option to be a  ”straight ally” – we’re important, too!).  To request to receive the sticker in the mail click here.  Hurry and request your sticker before March 22nd so you can stick it to your census and get it mailed before the April 1 deadline!

For Circulation

Join the cause and support Rima Khalife who will be participating in Marathon of Team in Training Canada which is the charity training program for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization. It is dedicated to raise money to help fundraising blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. They have invested more than $600 million in research since 1949 – over 71$ million in 2008- specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Moreover, 370,000$ were invested in Quebec.

WHY DID SHE DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT?
As a survivor of cancer herself, she have decided to go on with this unique half-marathon in honour of three great friends who were recently diagnosed (at the same time) with a different kind of blood cancer. Due to advance research and treatments, these people are in remission and they are continuing with their life normally. However, the situation would have not been the same many years ago.
So she I decide to try and make a difference in these lives and the lives of many other people with blood cancer by participating in this upcoming event; for a GOOD CAUSE.

BCCManagement would like to thank her for the time she spent with our institution showing a positive personality when everything was down for her and would like to wish her health, love and success.

Please support her by donating to the cause

To donate or for more information and to stay update on her raising program, please visit her webpage frequently.
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2465983
Thank you in advance.

BCCManagement

I am consistently amazed how ordinary citizens can make a huge impact on others. This plays out in the circles of philanthropy, whether it is through fundraising or by generating a buzz for a certain cause.

Last summer, my friend Phil Nagle created such a stir with his bicycle. I knew the guy loved to ride. I did not, however, comprehend to what extent.

When he first presented the idea to me of riding through 48 states in 48 days, I thought he bit off more than he could chew. But then I remembered just what kind of person Phil is.

He is one of those phenomenal people who proves anything is possible. Whether creating an enormous ceramic vase that looks like an aqua-marine “Tsunami” or assembling a professional video about service learning, he approaches every project with wonder, creativity and tons of planning.

While many of his classmates spent last spring applying for summer jobs, internships and co-ops, Phil trained for the ride of his life. He brought some of his friends on board and together they gathered sponsors, created a Web site and found a way to make Phil’s dream a reality.

During his ride across the country, Phil connected with cancer survivors and their families. Journalists chronicled his journey online, in print and on the air. And because of his dedication, he increased public awareness for cancer and also raised a bit of change for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in the process.

Not only did Phil’s journey and passion secure him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, but his efforts were also recognized by Senator Strahorn in a session of the Ohio Senate on Oct. 27, 2009.

You can find out more about his story at www.go48in48.com and if you’re so inspired, please contribute to this great charity while you’re there.

Phil inspired me last year, and I hope his story inspires you to do something phenomenal this year too. Think about ways that you can make a difference, perhaps by marrying your favorite hobbies with a cause you’re passionate about. Then, maybe you too can better your life and the world around you in 2010!

© 2010 Jadeworks Entertainment

Artist: Betty Refour

Her Dreams were of Colors Contemporary Abstract Painting

I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. My favorite color as a child was yellow-orange; it had to be on everything I drew. Growing up, I wanted to be a Fashion Designer and loved the classic style to the designs of Coco Chanel who was my idol. After finishing design school and not immediately getting a job as a Head Designer *smile*, I pursued other interests.

After a back injury some 15 years later, I started painting as a form of therapy.  I had continued to draw, but I had never painted. When a friend asked me to design a card for her baby shower, I got the idea to put my artwork on cards.

Breast Cancer Awareness Note Card

Through brefour, I support The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and The International Myeloma Foundation.  My sister, Rose, who is also an artist, has autism.  She is mostly non-verbal and will often use art to express herself. A portion of the proceeds from the items she creates is donated to the The Autism Society of America.

Abstract Art Note Card - Artist with Autism

I am motivated to support these particular causes for very personal reasons.  Rose and I lost our maternal grandmother to breast cancer and our mother to myeloma. In addition, giving back was something I was taught growing up.  And what better way to honor the people that taught me that valuable lesson?

Abstract Art Blank Note Card

Thoughts of Her Dreams Contemporary Abstract Painting

The sun opened its eyes over the bay today to 3,859 women (and 182 men) lined up to race for the inaugural Women’s Running Magazine 5k and Half Marathon. Over $1 million was raised in entry fees. A portion of the proceeds of this race went to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, an organization that raises awareness as well as money to fund the research that fights blood cancers.

Lining up at the starting line with all of those women was powerful to me. There is something to be said for physical effort; it is a display of character like no other, completely immune to the falsities and facades of everyday interaction. Running with all of these women and being among those that were sweating and pushing hard at 7:30 a.m. reminded me of the power of mental strength coupled with physical strength.

Congratulations to everyone that ran in the race and those that supported the runners. It was amazing to see so many people pushing the limits of physical boundaries this morning under the Florida sunrise.

Her Dreams Were of Colors Contemporary Abstract Painting

I have been drawing for as long as I can remember. My favorite color as a child was yellow-orange; it had to be on everything I drew. Growing up, I wanted to be a Fashion Designer and loved the classic style to the designs of Coco Chanel who was my idol. After finishing design school and not immediately getting a job as a Head Designer *smile*, I pursued other interests.

After a back injury some 15 years later, I started painting as a form of therapy.  I had continued to draw, but I had never painted. When a friend asked me to design a card for her baby shower, I got the idea to put my artwork on cards.

Breast Cancer Awareness Note Card

Through brefour, I support The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and The International Myeloma Foundation.  My sister, Rose, who is also an artist, has autism.  She is mostly non-verbal and will often use art to express herself. A portion of the proceeds from the items she creates is donated to the The Autism Society of America.

Abstract Art Note Card

I am motivated to support these particular causes for very personal reasons.  Rose and I lost our maternal grandmother to breast cancer and our mother to myeloma. In addition, giving back was something I was taught growing up.  And what better way to honor the people that taught me that valuable lesson?

Abstract Art Blank Note Card

Going No Place in Particular

Shop to fight cancer! Print your coupon here and use it as many times in the next for days as you want! Everyone wins… you get those new summer clothes, Gap gets sales, and LLS benefits to research for cancer!

My friend Maria is an Occupational Therapist here in San Diego and she is currently providing therapy for a little boy named Ian. She’s holding a fundraiser for Ian on March 28th, 2009 in San Diego. I know there is a good chance that many of you are thinking, “Another fundraiser?! Girl, we are not made of money.” But, I would like to encourage you to read Ian’s story. I ask that you click these photo links at the bottom of this post and read what Maria has written. I ask that you read the article from the Union Tribune about the accident and Ian’s parents. I ask that you consider what you can do… be it donation, attendance, prayer, donation at his website, or SPREADING THE WORD.

I never in a million years would have expected that I could have raised the $4500+ that I raised last summer for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Most people heard me say, “I’m crazy, but I’m going to try. I’m going to tri.” I even said it in my original letter! It was unbelievably difficult, but I did it with the help of others. Your donations added up and made a HUGE difference. Your donations and support impacted my life, but more importantly, they made an impact on the Society’s efforts to help those that are fighting the real fight.

Now, we can come together again to help this little boy get the therapy and treatment he needs to have a better quality of life… the therapy and treatment he needs to one day walk and SURF again. We can help. YOU can help.

Spread the word. Share this link… and download the files below and share them directly. READ his story (I’ll also be adding a link to his site in the blogroll on the side).

Thank you.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is sponsoring a blood drive on Tuesday, March 24th (see below for more details).

The email also states:

We are also hosting a drive for the Bone Marrow Registry in conjunction with the Blood Drive.  This is a totally non-invasive procedure; it just takes a cheek swab to register.  You may call 619-400-8268 if you have any questions about the Bone Marrow Registry process.

 You may qualify to be a marrow or blood stem cell donor if you:
•     Are between the ages of 18 and 60
•     Have no history of asthma, cancer, diabetes, neck or back problems, heart or circulatory disease
•     Are within 20% of the ideal weight for your height and age set by the NMDP®
•     Are willing to donate to anyone who needs a transplant

I’ve copied the location and registration information from the email and posted it below, if you able, please consider attending. If you are unable to attend this particular drive, please be aware that there are blood banks all over the United States and most accept walk-ins or have appointments available. Consider being a blood donor. Also, even if you cannot attend this drive, you can become a registered bone marrow donor in other ways as well.

Let’s hope we raise some money for this deserving charity this month!

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The mission of LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, LLS has invested more than $600 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Home Office is based in White Plains, NY. Some Home Office staff are also based at three regional offices in Alexandria, Cincinnati and Phoenix.

EFC Team donated $80.oo to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in December.

In December, EFC individual members donated
$11.50 to It’s Meow or Never

Upon being greeted with big hugs and wonderful congratulatory remarks by my parents, grandma, aunt, and uncle I joined the line of finishers for food and then joined my other teammates back on the course to cheer in and cheer on the rest of our teammates. As our last teammate ran in, we ran with her… USAT rules out the window! It was great running along side her and then watching as she crossed the finish line. Together, we went to the TNT tent to receive our TRI pins and then a number of us joined the line for a free 10 minute massage. Heaven!

After spending time at the expo again with my family, I headed back to the hotel on what could possibly be described as he longest 4 mile bike ride… ever. Shower, change, and then off to Cannery Row with my family! I enjoyed walking around with them, but did not enjoy the stairs or the actual walking. Haha. I felt so limp. The official TNT Victory Party was a blast, especially seeing little Lauren and her sisters in their matching dresses cutting it up on the dance floor with their parents and the many teammates from their area who fundraised and raced in Lauren’s honor. It was great fun dancing with my teammates too.

We danced until they kicked us out and then I made the decision to go to bed, it’d been a long day and I was definitely exhausted. I didn’t train enough for that fourth event. The next day we packed up our tri bags and bikes with Wheels on Wheels to return to San Diego and then headed to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for our remaining few hours in the city. We took in the otters, the jelly fish, and other creatures that we were glad to not know existed during our swim the day before. Quality time with the teammies and then Mother Duck sent us off on the shuttles to the airport.

“Wait, just because we finished our triathlon you don’t think we need guidance anymore?! No mentor? Coach? Coordinator? We can’t do this on our own!”

It was a sad moment indeed. We enjoyed the airport and flight as best we could in our exhaustion and sadness that it was ending. We’ve since returned to our day to day lives… some of us training more than others. A number of my teammates recently completed the Subaru Sprint here in San Diego, I was sad to have to miss it. Perhaps next year, I definitely want to keep up with triathlons… I need to get back on the water and keep running. I’ve felt awfully lazy without workouts five ro six days a week.

As a full team, we celebrated just a couple of weekends ago at our finale party. We enjoyed video slideshows of pictures and a fantastic video of our teammate Tim leading Knuckles, the hotel sports bar, in a couple of classic camp songs. We shared stories of our respective races and enjoyed the ever wonderful support and inspiration that comes from our Coach(es).

I miss them all so much, but we’re planning to go out singing in just a few weeks… Karaoke, here comes PGNT Alums, get ready for us!

“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”

There are two days left of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. I’m choosing hope. Hope that people will see their own ability to make a difference. Hope that awareness has been created. Hope that many registered as bone marrow donors (I know my roommate did, love her!). Hope that people will not forget the lives of children living with cancer… hope that people will not forget the many for whom I raced two weeks ago: the blood cancer fighters, survivors, and angels.

On race day, the announcer said something that I never thought of before. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is an organization that is HOPING to go out of business one day. They are working toward the day that they can shut their doors because their services will not be required anymore… the day that a cure is found and cancer officially loses the race.

Hope for that day. PRAY for that day.

Originally uploaded by strong_enough

“The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle.” Anais Nin

Race day was a blessing… and it is my hope that I too was a blessing to others through raising awareness and funds ($4631 to date! Go go go!). Crossing the finish line was the moment I lived in unison with my dream, I can’t wait to do it again.

More photos will be posted on Flickr soon, but for now this will give you a glimpse at race morning in Pacific Grove with my team. “Team Estrogen” (and Nelson, Neil, and Tim… plus Coach Robbie) at the finish line just a few minutes before the opening ceremonies.

For race recaps, scroll down or go here and here and here.

I last messaged you all on September 11th after arriving safely in Monterey… oh! What an eventful weekend it was! After I sent out that email, I met up with my team for a walk into downtown Monterey for lunch.

“It’s only about a mile,” Mentor Emily noted.

It was only about three or four TO lunch. Well, that’s one way to get acquainted with the town. We came back to the hotel after a short stop at Trader Joe’s and I took a much needed nap before our course preview. Our bikes arrived about an hour late, so we didn’t make it out to the bike course until the sun was already setting (and the Monterey cold was setting back in). The bike was pleasantly flat and it was great to preview it and realize that I could bike much of it in my big chain ring. We took a short stop at Lover’s Point Beach where about half of my team elected to do a quick polar bear swim (well, wade… as Coordinator Heather deemed swimming post-sunset to be a bad idea). I elected to watch and take pictures of my crazy teammates.

We went back to the hotel after riding about 14 miles total and met for dinner and decorating. We decorated our singlets for race day. Names, dates, inspirations, and other puff painted notions to propel us forward and remind us of our reasons on race day. For those of you that shared names, know that each one was on the back on my singlet… every fighter, every survivor, every angel was in my thoughts.

On day two in Monterey, it was all about the preview and the expo. We swam the “kelp crawl” in the bitter 58 degree water before previewing the run course. Friday was cold and overcast all day. I could not get my muscles to warm up after the swim and felt a little anxious about race day. I just kept reminding myself that I’d only *previewed* the course… and that doing full distances would warm me up much better! I walked around the expo and picked up my race packet with my numbers (#760!), swim cap (pink!), timing chip, and other fun things.

I went back to the hotel to warm up and get ready for the pasta party… what a blast! The food was delicious and it was so fun being surrounded by so many TNTers and supporters. We learned that the 341 athletes representing LLS at Pacific Grove raised $1.2 million! WOW! The top fundraiser received a new bike from Schwinn… he raised over $12,000! I think I’m abusing my right to use exclamation marks, but I can’t help myself. I still get so excited when I reflect on the weekend and all that was accomplished. We had a few other comments from LLS, some comments from Schwinn (they’re the newest national sponsor of Team In Training), and a handful of remarks from the head official for USAT about the rules of triathlon. Finally, giving the ultimate in “mission moments,” Emma and Lauren of the Great San Francisco Area spoke about Lauren’s fight against leukemia. Lauren, a now cancer-free eight-year-old, was diagnosed just before she turned five. As Emma, her mom, spoke of Lauren’s treatments and the love they have felt from LLS (Lauren’s been an honored teammate for awhile now) the emotion in the room continued to build. Lauren spoke about her courage beads around her neck and her favorite song: “I Will Survive.” Emma and her husband Michael competed with us on race day in their first triathlon. What an inspiration! It was great hearing them speak, but it certainly caused the tears to run.

After the pasta party, Coach Robbie did some housekeeping with our San Diego team and Head Coach Gurujan (aka Mother Hen) called to tell us he loved us, missed us, and wished us well. He was in Washington D.C. with a handful of our other teammates competing in the Nation’s Triathlon on September 14th. My roommate Catherine and I retreated to our hotel room where I proceeded to pack and prep and pack and prep and double check and triple check everything for race day. I went to bed just before 10pm with a stomach full of butterflies and an unbelievable feeling of excitement.

I’m borrowing one of my teammate’s computers here at the hotel in Monterey. We’ve got less than 24 hours before the race starts! Incredible!

We arrived in San Jose yesterday morning just before 8am. It was rather eery flying on September 11th. We took a moment of silence at the exact minute that the first plane crashed into the first tower and the airport highlighted the new TSA uniforms. The flight was swift and I was much more awake than I anticipated I’d be at that hour.

The drive from the airport was pretty good too. Our hotel is nice, but on the outskirts of Monterey. We had a nice walk into downtown yesterday to have lunch at a little British pub and enjoy the sights. Monterey is so beautiful, I can’t wait to share the pictures with you! 

Our bikes and bags arrived at about 5pm last night and then we went on a quick course preview. I’m so excited about this run and bike… it’s beautiful and almost completely flat! I was able to bike in my big chain ring nearly the entire time and it didn’t even feel like much work, even though we went 15 miles. It definitely gives me hope for the race and going quickly. Some of my teammate’s did the polar bear swim last night and said the water “wasn’t that bad,” so we’ll see. Haha. Right.

The swim is going to be super congested with kelp, but the water was SO smooth. We’re previewing the swim today… in just about an hour or so. We also have the expo today and the pasta dinner. I’m really excited for all of it and trying to absorb every part of this experience. We decorated our singlets last night and I just need to add a few final touches to mine today to finish it. I’m excited to honor all those that you have shared with me and all those that have touched my life.

That’s all for now… If I get a chance to borrow the internet again, I’ll update. Think of us tomorrow morning while we’re racing and check back soon for an update!

I seriously cannot believe that it is here already. Keep me and my team in yours prayers as we depart for our races (Pac Grove for me and many, Nations in D.C. for a few) as we’ll keep all of you, our supporters, in our thoughts and prayers. We’re being carried on angels’ wings (I know I am!) and we’re out there for the many who are still fighting that they may one day be out there… or wherever they want their lives to carry them.

8:45am on Saturday morning, I’ll be off… check back in for the race report on Sunday (or Monday). Saturday is also Childhood Cancer Awareness Day… be aware and spread the awareness.

And I’m happy to report, that with the help of many generous Chargers fans at yesterday’s game, I have REACHED MY FUNDRAISING GOAL! That’s right! I have reached my goal and it is a HUGE relief. I could not be more thrilled or more thankful. Thank you SO much to each and every person that donated, I could not have done it without you. Now, that being said, if you were planning to donate please do. Just because I’ve reached my fundraising goal, that does not mean that a cure has been found. Every single penny is still greatly appreciated and put to good use! You can continue to use that link to the side there to donate to LLS and help in the search for a cure.