Day 98 of...98 Days...This journey has come to a close...

Tonight we will know exactly what the fruits of our labor have brought to fund research for a cure for blood cancer. Thank you all for the support you have shown to this very important cause.  The 900,000 affected by this disease depend upon all of us because without a cure they know within the next 10 minutes it could be them saying goodbye to their families and loved ones for the very last time. Harsh I know but very real.  So even though this fund-raising effort for this campaign has come to an end the dollars needed to continue the research have not.  I hope you find it in your hearts to continue to spread the word.  

Though this journey has come to a close for me Light The App the free iPhone application will always be there as another support mechanism for people to light that virtual candle and write a dedication, inspiration or prayer to a loved one still battling blood cancer or to one who as lost the fight.  There you can also continue to donate directly to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society so they can continue to fund that much needed research.  That is my gift to you and The Society that will keep on giving long after this campaign.  

To our honoree Tressa thank you for being our inspiration.  Every time I opened up the blog to write you were encouraging me to push even harder. Our hope is we touched people with your brave fight and story that they too will help us to find that cure so not another precious life like yours is taken abruptly and painfully away by blood cancer leaving the surviving family forever missing you.

Day 97 of...98 Days...The night before

This is the night before the close of the fund-raising campaign where we are have been working hard to raise donations for research to find cure of blood cancer.  It seems fitting to wrap this blog up tonight with Tressa.  Her wonderful family allowed me the gift of having her as my honoree and I will never forget how even though I never had the pleasure of meeting her she has touched my life in so many ways.

As I have read her journal so many times before it somehow seems fitting to share the last couple of days when Tressa was now home saying goodbye to family and friends. The Leukemia over took her and there was not anything more anyone could do because there just wasn't a cure. She would be taken from her family and loved ones permanently to a place where she would no longer feel pain and finally become free of blood cancer.

It was December nearing the holidays and since they arrived home with Tressa their house had been filled with family, and Tressa’s precious friends. One evening their front yard was filled with carolers from their church. Their stomachs were filled with the wonderful food that was sent from their church family. And their hearts were filled with the love and comfort.

The next day Tressa’s smile was more radiant than it has been in a long time, Tressa seemed to look around the room eyeing all of her close friends and family, and beaming from ear to ear. Tressa had a calmness and comfort demeanor that her family was so thankful for.

In the days that followed Tressa continued fighting a cough, fever and vomiting. But her family and friends continued to pile in first in the morning until the late evening hours to spend their last hours with Tressa.

Then the following day Tressa had passed away.  It was four days before Christmas. The parents are not sure why they were all chosen for this journey but their faith has them believe one day it will be made clear.

Tressa was so very brave and even at the end of her life showed no fear and I am told all who knew Tressa believe in the following "Earth will be at a loss and Heaven will never be the same”. Lookout Heaven...

The fund-raising continues on and with your help you can help fund research and find a cure please spread the word and make a donation.  www.lls.org

Day 96 of...98 Days...Is it for you or for me?

You may have noticed I have been blogging for 96 days straight.  That is really nothing in blogging years I am sure there are those that blog more than once a day have been doing it for years now.  For me this was about a journey.  I committed to blogging about this fund-raiser that I am quite passionate about and thought not only could I share the ups and downs of this road but also selfishly hoped I could empower others to want to join me so we could fund research and find a cure for blood cancer.

What I learned from this experience is that there were days when I wrote about the importance of funding research and a cure that brought me to tears realizing that if I can't motivate others to understand the gravity more loved ones will be lost to this devastating disease.  Other times I found myself angry and frustrated that I wasn't a good enough writer to empower more people to want to join me in this fight.

So I was asked by others was this blogging for you or for me.  I would say both.  When you can put in writing how you feel it is a sense of relief and purpose for these past 96 days I was determined no matter how I was feeling to post a message.  And now we wind down to the last two days of this journey.  For those that followed I could never thank you enough I hope I lived up to the expectations and for those who stopped by I hope you took something away from the messages and you will consider donating to this very worthy cause of saving a life.  Because every night when I opened this blog and see Tressa's beautiful face it reinforces the importance of what we are doing so it never happens again and another precious daughter or loved one is taken away.  

Day 95 of...98 Days...Where does it go?

This is a very good question regarding why even consider supporting this campaign and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  It can best be described by a personal story that I read in an e-newsletter I received today.

David Burns even before his initial diagnosis with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) at age 35, he dedicated his life to teaching martial arts and the value of physical and mental fitness. He went through two rounds of bone marrow transplants which seemed to take effect and put the cancer in remission. At that point David went back to work and became an active community volunteer. His love and service for others has always shown through and for years, as a cancer survivor, he spent time motivating others who were going through treatment. He also wanted to give back by raising money for funding research and ultimately a cure so  others would not have to face what he had gone through.

Little did he realize he was not only raising money for research and a cure for others but for himself as well because tragically, after 14 years David's cancer came back. Recent chemotherapy has put him back in remission, but the thoughts of a third bone marrow transplant in his future, are now part of his daily life. Still, he retains his optimism, living each day to the fullest and doing the things that make him happy which, of course, involves people. He expresses gratitude for the support of many people in his community, who are rallying 'round in this new phase of his cancer treatment; and to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) as well. "Over the years," David says, "I think I've read every piece of literature LLS publishes on AML. The more information the better when it comes to battling cancer. And last year, we received a check from LLS to help pay for treatment-related expenses. Since I am not currently working, those dollars were very helpful."

I could share literally thousands of the same type stories.  Blood cancer comes out of nowhere can attack what  seems to be the healthiest of individuals.  They go through the painstaking process of  battling back and in this case twice and then they believe they beat it because it goes into remission.  But then it comes back with vengeance.  So to answer your question where does your donation go it goes to not only funding research to find a cure and sometimes the where does it go it also goes towards helping those fighting fund treatment when they can no longer afford it.  Please Donate Now!

Day 94 of...98 Days...It's FREE

What a great word FREE it always gets everyone's attention.  If it's free people want it.  It doesn't matter if they can use it or not there is something about getting something that's free. It's the thought well maybe someday I can use it. Then you think of some things people will pay for that's not FREE.  It stems from everything to the ridiculous just because to the over the top extravagant because they can. But FREE attracts everyone from all socioeconomic backgrounds transcends against race or religion.

The word free has many meanings to it as well. There is the idea of being free and all that it brings including the land of the free. Then there are those people that aren't free. You think well maybe it's because there incarcerated and deserve to lose their freedom.  What about the 900,000 individuals who aren't free? They are not free and are locked up within their very own private hell because they are sick. They are so sick with blood cancer one that has overtaken their body that they either find themselves in intensive care, chemotherapy or other therapies. It was like the cancer has stripped away their freedom from living a normal life and every 10 minutes it's like one has been executed and taken away from their families.

It may not be free to donate to a cause like this but when you do it means funding research for a cure and giving back a life and you can't put a price on that can you?  And if it's free your after then look at it this way with your gift you are helping others to become cancer FREE!   Donate Now

Day 93 of...98 Days...The Erupting Volcano

The Volcano in Iceland has certainly created massive disruptions to innocent people who were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. It's Mother Nature taking hold and no one has any control over it.  Pilots are testing going up in the ash clouds to see if it's safe.  They are all looking for that safe fly zone.  Everyone thought the Volcano had calmed down and then today it erupted with force again sending another Volcanic Plume in the air.  No one really has the answer on how to fix the situation other than to wait it out or try alternative routes to gain back some normalcy in their lives.

Does this sound a little familiar?  Let me describe it in this way here is an innocent body many times a mere child being taken over by massive eruptions of a different type of volcano one that spreads blood cancer. No one can control it because simply there is no cure.  Doctor's are testing new therapies to get the loved one affected to a safe zone. And just when it appears things are calming down and everyone is breathing a sigh of relief because the loved one has beaten it and because it has gone into remission.  Then all of a sudden wham the blood cancer erupts again takes hold of your child, family member and loved one with such vengeance.  It leaves everyone stunned wondering how it happened.  So again the family resorts to the existing alternative therapies since there is no cure and they are just searching for a way to gain some normalcy for the family and loved one still fighting for their life.

In this case we do have an option together we can stop this internal volcano eruption spreading blood cancer by funding research and finding a cure. It's not too late and no donation is too small $5, $10 it all adds up and can make a difference.  Donate Now and let's give back the lives to those who are battling.

Day 92 of...98 Days...The Journal

Through this journey of 98 Days there have been times I shared with you Tressa's story of her brave fight before she lost her life. I go to visit her journal that her family kept during her battle it has always kept me grounded on the importance of funding research and finding a cure for blood cancer.  And my hope is it gave you a glimpse of a child fighting for her life and the parents doing all that they could to save her.

I was in the middle reading the last days of her life when she had a massive fever and coughing up blood.  She had just gone through another round of chemo and there was a source of an infection in her abdomen they could not repair.  She was very scared and confused and her parents watching over for she had been in ICU for 53 consecutive days and this new wave of Leukemia was too much.  It was at that time Tressa's parents decided it was time to bring Tressa home.

As I was reading her journal and Tressa's last days at that very moment we received a new dedication on the Light The App free iPhone application. It was someone reaching out to their loved one asking them to keep fighting.  It felt a little surreal reading about Tressa and at the same time one who is in the midst of fighting for their life against blood cancer.  Together let's save a life and change what could be the ending for so many...  Donate Now.

Day 91 of 98 Days - "Man In The Mirror"

I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change)

Please click here to "make a change".

Lyrics and Song...by Michael Jackson

Day 90 of...98 Days ...Trees in the Forest

It has been asked if a Tree falls in the Forest does anyone hear it?  If you were there you would.  Now imagine yourself in a forest with 900,000 trees of all sizes and years starting from the unsteady fragile seedlings up to full grown trees.  As you walk through this very dense forest you noticed that in fact upon closer look the tress looked sickly, the leaves are turning brown and there are unusual growths. As you continued on walking in disbelief of what should be this beautiful sight all of a sudden within the first 10 minutes you heard one fall, then another and every 10 minutes trees were falling all around you.  It would take you back it would be a frightening sight you would see the whole forest dying and you didn't know how to stop it and you then realized if you didn't this entire forest of 900,000 would be gone.

Now substitute that forest with all those who suffer from blood cancers from the youngest precious of children to teens and older adults.  And as you were walking through this forest of 900,000 patients passing all of those that had this devastating disease.  Seeing some of them with tubes keeping them alive, balding, suffering in pain and every 10 minutes one fell and died and again every 10 minutes another and another.

You know it's easy to say I am not seeing the tress in the forest if you don't know someone who has been affected by blood cancer.  But they are all around us and it's the family that sees them and every day dies a little inside watching their loved one battle this disease.  If you ever saw that forest of patients you would understand the importance of stopping Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma. If a tree dies you plant another no one mourns that loss when a life is taken it changes the surviving family members forever.  Together let's fund research and find a cure.... Let's save them...Donate Now.

Day 89 of 98 Days - Regarding Haiti, Katrina, Indonesia, 911 Attacks

The Haiti earthquake of 2010 was a disaster for the scores of displaced and injured, undeniably a tragedy for the 200,000 killed.

The response was widespread, immediate, and celebrity endorsed. Giving was made so easy. Notables like Michelle Obama were on TV almost immediately broadcasting a Red Cross text number that we could without a second thought access and give an easy donation of $10.00.

And contributions poured in for relief efforts. Fifteen days after the massive earthquake struck, donors contributed more than $528-million to 40 U.S. nonprofit groups.

The pace of giving for Haiti is outpaced even the amount donated in the same period after the September 11 attacks in 2001 but was slightly slower than the outpouring of gifts after the flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In the eight days after the flooding started in New Orleans, Americans gave at least $580-million for relief efforts and in the 10 days after September 11, Americans donated $239-million.

American's are a generous people. We have always stepped up to a cause and given what we can where need exist. Haiti, Katrina, Indonesia, and the 911 attacks are perfect examples. In total 244,809 men, women, and children died in total in those tragedies.

Did you know that leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, repeatedly claims the lives of 244,809 men, women, and children every 3.6 months?

Like me you probably felt the responsibility and without a second thought texted the advertised number and gave $10.00 to the Red Cross to help save Haiti. Did you know that it's equally easy and quick to click here and give $10.00 to help fund research to help save the men, women, and children in America who are afflicted with blood cancers like leukemia and might die this year if we don't find a cure?

Thank you for understanding the need and thank you for giving whatever you can.

Day 88 of...98 Days...Around the World in 88 Days

Actually the movie was "Around the World in 80 Days".  However you look at it what fun that in mere seconds we can reach across continents and communicate with complete strangers but feel connected by a common goal, purpose or even philosophy.  I can't even imagine life without the Internet and without feeling connected.  

I have been fortunate through my blogging I have been able to reach out to others who have the same passion as me about saving lives of those with blood cancer and about fund-raising so we fund research and find a cure. I know that many have come together to want to honor the life of our special honoree Tressa and all others who have lost their life to this devastating disease.  And they like me do not want Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma to take yet another precious life of a child or any loved one so they gave donations or wished me luck in finding those who would. 

Where would we be without our Smartphones? It has become our lifelines, allowing us to connect with others around the world. There have been more than a thousand downloads from all over the world who have come together in a community on Light The App the free iPhone application where they lit a virtual candle and shared a dedication a prayer or inspiration to a loved one battling or lost from blood cancer.

Our networks Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn who knew we could form relationships and share with others what we were doing and have others spread the word to their networks.  In some way it has been around the world in 88 days at least of blogging and in other instances only mere seconds. In any case it's been a connection to an important and common goal the need to cure blood cancer a disease taking a life every 10 minutes. Maybe you can help connect me with others who have the same goal I would love to meet them anywhere in the world?

Day 87 of...98 Days...Glee

I have to admit I am completely hooked on the show Glee.  It is fun to watch to remember what High School was like and Choir.  Oh that was so much fun.  There was always that one that stood out in choir that was so talented.  Now I don't know as talented as what we see in Glee but we had our own characters.

It's High School after all when kids are just finding their way in the world and coming of age and starting to make the right decisions. It in some ways sets the stage for their life on making decisions.  Sometimes however life takes an unexpected turn.  A decision you didn't even make but was made for you. The body accepted the decision to allow cancer cells enter the body and start to takeover. So then the decision comes back around to the child as to whether to fight for their life or throw their hands up and give in to the pain.  Thank goodness for families and friends because these become the bravest children you will ever meet.  What they have to endure is beyond words and I wish I could say they all become survivors.  But Tressa is an example of the fact that is just not so.  When there is no cure there are no guarantees of survival.  That can change with your help because by funding research for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society a cure can be found.

Let's together put the Glee back into our children wrought with Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma and Donate so we can find a cure and not lose another precious life...

Day 86 of ...98 Days...U-OH My AARP Card Arrived

Yes I received my AARP envelope in the mail.  I am getting ready to turn the big 50 and receiving that in the mail just seals the deal.  I have so many emotions that surround that number.  It makes you look back at your life and realize as in the Song by Five for Fighting "100 Years"

The sea is high, and I'm heading through Across the years Chasing the years, of my life

As one might think I have become very reflective.  I want to know I am spending the last half of my life making sure I continue doing things for others.  So why have I spent the last 86 days blogging because I want to make a difference in the lives of those that have been affected by blood cancer.  I know that if a cure is not found the 900,000 affected in every 10 seconds one of those precious lives will be lost.  The fund-raising efforts are only one piece and Light The App the free iPhone app we developed where loved ones can light a virtual candle as they make dedications to loved ones we are hopeful will be a gift that keeps on giving.  And with your help we can find that cure way before the next 50 years come around so those children who are now battling blood cancer today can have their own u-oh moment when they receive their AARP card.

Let's get these children to 50 and beyond... Please Donate Now...

Day 85 of 98 Days - "A Little Help Here"

We received another heartfelt dedication in the 'Light The App' iPhone application today. The words of encouragement appear to be from a mother or father to his/her son or daughter.

"You can do this!!!!! We know it's not an easy thing to beat (trust me) but if you stand strong, you'll get through it. I'm so proud of you. You've beat it before; don't give up now!!!"

The inference is that the child has battled cancer in the recent past and 'won'. The champion is herein besieging him/her to muster all available strength and courage to wage war on the blood cancer which has returned and it so often does and beat it ... again.

"Don't give up now!!!" the parent exclaims.

All of these kids we heard about are so brave - daily fighting this demon that has invaded. And they believe their parents and adults when they say "fight on, you can win".  As long as family continues to encourage they will fight and with every fiber of their beings. But alas, eventually the battle so taxing and their now frail bodies so weakened and even though they long to fight, both for themselves and for their moms and dads who besiege them to fight on, they can't, and tragically all too often - their battle is lost.

Today, right now, please help these brave children in their war on cancer. If we work together, a few dollars from all of us can fund the research, find a cure, and win the war against blood cancers.

Will you donate today? Remember no donation is too small and every single dollar is a dollar closer to the cure.   Donate Now

Day 84 of...98 Days...The Return

The return is such a cruel reality for so many who face Leukemia or any type of blood cancer. You can be in remission and then without warning it is back with vengeance.  It's a painstaking announcement that the doctor has to share with the parents of the child whose Leukemia has returned.  Then it becomes total heartbreak of absorbing as a parent how that could happen and then how do you tell your child so they keep fighting for their life.  Let me share a story to give you some idea and at the same time hopefully open your eyes as to why the need for continued research for new therapies.

When Tressa was told yet once again the Leukemia had returned her parents immediately impressed upon her they needed to get an earlier start fighting the leukemia to avoid the similar problems encountered with the last treatment. It was stressed to Tressa that they were using an experimental drug that should be a lot “gentler”, with less “harsh” side effects. No mouth sores, no peeling of the skin, no loss of hair, are just a few of the eliminated side effects. Regardless, the treatment will kill the white blood cells (good and bad), and Tressa’s ability to fight infections. Once all are killed, the hope would be for the return of only healthy white blood cells.

The idea of treatment should be a welcome relief but the fear the child faces of here we go again and the pain and discomfort needs to be put to an end.  It's bad enough to be told the Leukemia has returned after they fought so brave and so hard for a second or third time and then to see them battle through the painful treatments is so unfair.  This is just yet another reason to join the fight so we could fund research for new therapies but ultimately a cure so we end the return of Leukemia or any blood cancer.

Day 83 of...98 Days...Elementary My Dear Watson

A Sherlock Holmes mystery the twists and turns of the story takes you down many different paths.  Your mind convinces you of the answer to the mystery but reality tells you it's ultimately different.  To Sherlock its elementary my dear Watson to him the answer is clear because he can tie together all of the clues, seeing patterns and piece together the tiniest of details to uncover what is real and what is an illusion.

Science and the human body is very much that way so much is still a mystery.  If it weren't we would have a cure for blood cancer. But it takes years of in-depth research uncovering clues, seeing patterns and piecing together the tiniest of details.    It's cross checking and clinical trials for therapies and when you think it takes you down one path it takes you another.  Scientists need to get rid of any illusion and see what's real because they are dealing with life and death.  The progress has been incredible the therapies are real because of these brilliant scientists we are talking about survivors.  But then there are the Tressa's and today others who didn't and aren't responding to what is the reality of known therapies and new ones need to surface.  But they can't do that without the funding.

It's elementary my dear Watson for great progress to be made with funding research to find a cure donations are needed and no contribution is too small.  And when we are many the dollars can add up quickly and an important life or death real mystery solved...a cure for blood cancer...

Day 82 of...98 days...The Voicemail

A call came into my voicemail at work while I was at a meeting.  It wasn't a business call it was from someone offering additional words of encouragement and thanking me for what I have done and am still doing. This fund-raiser as you can see is counting down quickly.  It really choked me up because I feel in the time we had we barely scratched the surface of what we were hoping to do.

The voicemail is from a father with a daughter as he put who is Leukemic but for now remains in remission and doing well.  He was emphasizing the importance of what I am doing because of the efforts of fund-raising his daughter has a chance for a full cancer free life.

Timing is everything and I find it interesting this voicemail came today because my energy level is being sucked out of me by lack of response to my letters and e-mails. I even had a company ask that they be taken off my list they will not be donating and another telling me the subject is not timely enough.  So even though the air sucked out of me today a little was restored with this voicemail asking me to please keep going and thank you.

So actually my thanks are to the man behind the voicemail I needed that push and you gave it to me.  So yes I will be back tomorrow and the day after that asking for support and for everyone to spread the word. Because I just can't let these families down they need these dollars to fund research and find a cure because without it plain and simple of the 900,000 diagnosed with blood cancer we will just keep losing one every 10 minutes and I need to know we did everything we could to prevent that...won't you help?  Please Donate Now

Day 81 of...98 Days...Happily Ever After

Today I would like to talk about the Happily Ever After that has been occurring because of the advanced research taking place due to donations that have been received.  The Happily Ever After here is being translated to mean a survivor of blood cancer who is in remission. One such survivor today reached out to me with a donation.  She is a very good friend of Steve and has been in remission for years. I was struck by the fact that she has sacrificed so much but yet as you can imagine still wants to contribute further to therapies and research so ultimately a cure can be found.

I have pictured here a couple of other survivors.  I'm thrilled to share they are both in remission all because of the continued funding we provide to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society so that they can locate the top researchers who develop advanced therapies and working toward the cure.  They are William who is 10 and Lauryn who is 7.  They have both been very involved in this campaign in fact they are the Boy and Girl of The Year.  Their parents understandably are heavily involved spearheading fund-raising efforts all of the time because they know if we can fund research and find a cure their precious children can continue to live happily ever after cancer free.

You and I we can make that happen it's not only with a prayer but it's with dollars for research and no donation is too small it all adds up. Let's write the happy ending to this story together.

Day 80 of...98 Days...Do Over

Have you ever said to yourself if I could have just one do over what would that be?  I don't know of a person famous or not that wouldn't like to go back in time and get at least one do over.  Well for me there would be many things I have to admit I would do like to do over as I reflect on my 80 days when it comes specifically to this campaign.

Things that I would not change:

Being involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society they so need voices that reach out to the masses to raise awareness and tell the stories of the 900,000 faced with Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma

Receiving the gift of Tressa as our honoree has given me an even deeper sense of what a child and family lives through when diagnosed with Leukemia.  Reading her journal I feel very connected to her even though I never had the pleasure of meeting her.  It's her hard fought battle keeps me coming back everyday asking you and others to help support this fight so we do not lose another precious life

Developing Light The App iPhone app every time we get a heartfelt dedication I feel like we did something really important by providing a place where people can light their virtual candles and say a prayer, dedication or inspiration. It's a virtual place where they can bear their sole on how they feel at that moment about watching a loved one battle cancer or ones that have lost their life.

My One Do Over for this Campaign:
Figuring out how to more effectively reach people and create that tipping point of spreading the word that small donations can quickly add up when many come together.  If we could raise the sheer number of those contributions we can make a difference and fund research and find a cure.  Any thoughts?

Day 79 of...98 Days...Miss You

Everyone can relate to the words "Miss You".  I know for me it's when I haven't seen my daughter as she lives in Chicago.  It's not seeing my family who is spread all over the country that I only get to see a hand full of times a year.  It's when I travel and don't see my husband until the next day.  What do those words mean to you? 

You can miss someone and yes at times you miss them so much it hurts but you know it won't be long into the future when you will get to see them again so you hang on to the thought and the pain goes away because you know they are fine and loving life.  

But here the words Miss You from those who lit candles in Light The App when their hearts are aching because they will never see their loved one again because there was no cure for blood cancer.

"Missing my best Friend we love and miss you"

"Wishing you were here we could have supported one another through treatments"

"You have no idea how much I miss you"

"I miss you hope you are having fun in heaven"

"I cry I miss her a lot" 

Take the most precious life you can imagine for many that's a child a husband, a parent, a best friend and all of a sudden you can no longer see, touch, hold them but in a still photos or a video.  That brief pain or chill you feel is a forever one for those who lost their loved ones to blood cancer.

Help me put a stop to this no donation is to small every dollar can make a difference so we can fund research and find a cure so in the next 10 minutes someone else won't have to say those chilling words Miss You when it means forever.  http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 78 of...98 Days...Easter Eggs with a different Twist

Whenever I think of this day and the Easter Egg hunt it takes me back to when we had Easter morning with our little girl now 24.  When she was three we would do Easter Egg hunts that would last for hours oh we had so much fun.  As she would find them we would be sneaky take one out of the basket and keep hiding them.  What fond memories.  But that was only good for a year or two.  Then when she started to read we added the twist of the scavenger hunt with clues to her Easter basket stuffed with goodies and I must say that we were successful keeping up that tradition until she went off to college.

Being in technology there are also Easter Eggs but they come with a twist. It's when you find something hidden in a program that can bring rewards to the user.  We have enjoyed adding Easter Eggs for our users and especially with our educational web-based Drive Of Your Life program that Middle School and High School Students use.

The thought of the Easter Egg overall is so clever.  I was reminded this morning on the Sunday Morning Show as they described it when you are leaving and Easter Egg it becomes a lasting imprint.  What does this have to do with this fund-raising campaign well donations are like Easter Eggs with a different twist.  They are unique imprints that last forever.  They can bring exhilarating joy to families and children otherwise facing a blood cancer. You see it's with those contributions or as we will refer to them as Easter Eggs today that funds research for a cure one that can save the life of a child. Now that's what you call an everlasting imprint.

How about considering adding your Easter Egg today and as it is picked up and used toward research you know you are making a significant difference.  With research comes a cure and parents will for years to come be planning their Easter Egg hunts for their child instead of what could be today a frightening dose of reality watching their child battle Leukemia or any other blood cancer.  http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 77 of...98 Days...The Decision

These past couple of months I have tried my best to give you a sense of the meaning and importance of this type of fund-raising campaign and the reason I come back every night to ask for help finding a cure.  Sometimes I think the best way to do that is to give you a glimpse into Tressa's fight and battle.  Not only is it a battle for the child but the parents as well when very tough decisions have to be made.  Here is one such example when again the Leukemia came back with vengeance.

It was in November and Tressa's parents made a very difficult decision to place her back on the ventilator. It allowed her to sleep soundly and peacefully, giving her parents comfort to see her that way and they felt that they made the right decision.  But then a more difficult decision came to the surface quickly the doctors will be scheduling a tracheotomy for either tomorrow afternoon or Friday morning. They knew she would not completely comprehend when they told her of the surgery to come, due to all the pain-killers currently in her system.  They were not sure she was going to fully understand when she would awake with a tube sticking out of her throat. The hope was that someday, she would realize that there were so many different reasons that led them to that decision, but it all boiled down to one thing that they loved her with all of their hearts and only wanted what was best for her.

It's these types of decisions parents shouldn't have to make for their child and you can help me put an end to this with a donation and spreading the word.  No donation is too small and it can make the difference between life and death so in the next 10 minutes we don't lose another loved one to blood cancer.  Please make the decision to be involved donate today... http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Days 75 & 76 of...98 Days...Two Extra Strength Tablets

Well I missed my very first Blog Post yesterday I was disappointed in myself but I was unfortunately incapacitated by some kind of poison in my system.

Quick back story I was in Chicago visiting my daughter and soon to be son-in-law and so excited about going on the hunt for the perfect pair of bridal shoes for her first actual wedding dress fitting the next day. My daughter and I went out to eat the night before giggling and laughing catching up as we went to a couple of stores with no luck.  But hey we had the next day and a plan after her Law School class we would rendezvous to find those perfect shoes.

So our day started and unfortunately I was feeling off I kept telling her it feels like I was slipped a Mickey.  I was feeling dizzy and at times ready to pass out but I did not want to ruin this day we had a mission.  As we were racing from one store to the next shopping for those shoes before our 6:30pm appointment dress fitting I got worse and very sick food poisoning ahhhhhh no!  Not only do we think I had food poisoning and all that comes and goes with it but a massive migraine on top of it.  But I was determined we would find the perfect shoes before I dropped which happily we did but sadly I was too ill for us to make it to the fitting.  But the good news is that has been rescheduled.

As I laid their head pounding every noise amplified and sick to my stomach where I couldn't eat or drink I kept thinking is this what these children with Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma feel like?  Is this even part of the pain they experience when there is poison in their body as the blood cancer take over.  The big difference is I knew as painful it seemed for me at the time we could get to the pharmacy walk in and get two extra strength migraine tablets and flush out the food poisoning with a ton of water.

And then we started thinking why couldn't it be that way for those with blood cancer why is there no easy fix?  For me I knew I would be better in the morning which I am.  But how about for those 900,000 battling there is no end in sight because there is no cure.  But with your help we can change that with funding research and find that cure.

Just imagine let's fast forward to the future when another child or loved one is diagnosed with blood cancer and you can just run to the pharmacy and pick up two extra strength tablets or a shot or something as easy.  And it would be all because of people like you who donated to this cause so in the next 10 minutes we won't lose another to this killer disease.  Let's make that a reality together...  http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 74 of...98 Days...Did you ever have...

Did you ever have in general just a bad day? A bad day where everything you touch seems to go wrong. Projects that are supposed to take no time to complete are problematic; tasks that are supposed to go smoothly are anything but.  And everyone you talk to is in a kind of funk and the whole thing is overwhelming and you just want to throw up your hands and say enough is enough - I am outta here!!!

Then the work day mercifully winds down, people go home and the whole ordeal ends. Tomorrow will be a fresh start - a new day.

Not for those afflicted with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma and certainly not for those who dearly love them and are tasked with witnessing the pain and suffering that blood cancers inflect upon their precious sons and daughters. They will tell us that each bad day is followed by another one and another one and so on and on.

There is a cure. We just need to find it. Won't you help fund the research today to find it and stop the suffering of so many?

Please spread the word of this campaign and our plea for any contributions that can be comfortably given. Whether it is a single dollar or a thousand - every contribution gets us closer to a cure.  http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 73 of 98 Days...First Day of Passover

Today is the first day of Passover (Pesach).

All of us that are familiar with biblical teachings (or have seen the "Ten Commandments") know that in the book of Exodus, the children of Israel gathered in family homes and spread lamb's blood on doorways as a sign to the spirit of the Lord to bypass them as that spirit brought death upon the first born of Egypt for the sins of the Pharaoh and his ministers. Following days witnessed the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt and their freedom from bondage.

Wouldn't it be something if today we could similarly mark our homes with a symbol of healthy blood to ward off the misery and death of blood cancers; leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma? And wouldn't it be a welcome relief to gather as a community and simply walk away from the miseries of pain, discomfort, and disease?

Unfortunately that cannot be counted on to happen. But we do have an alternative path to defeat these fearsome foes. As did the victim's supporters of polio some fifty years ago, we can raise money for research and a cure from everyone whether it be a hundred dollars, a single dollar or in the case of the March of Dimes - dimes and lots of them. Because even the smallest contribution when multiplied by many thousands adds up to a tremendous sum and an invaluable gift to the researchers who are daily toiling to find the breakthrough that will end killer diseases like leukemia.

So today on this first day of Passover, when so many were spared death, won't you pass the word of this life-saving campaign to your friends and family? The gift you can give today is spreading the word of the mission from which will come the dollars for the cure.

May you have a healthy and peaceful Passover.

Day 72 of...98 Days...The Onion

The onion is an interesting vegetable it has so many layers to it.  And each time you peel away another layer you get to the center of it and it burns causing tears to flow.  It parallels the human emotion.  As you peel away another layer and get to the heart and soul of any matter you feel almost naked and filled with raw emotion and it does burn and tears do have a tendency to flow.

The first layer was accepting the nomination for the fund-raising campaign and spending a day reading about Tressa's unbelievable hard fought battle with leukemia at 21 and trying to comprehend the pain what is was to feel losing a child.

The second layer was launching Light The App iPhone and reading dedications come in everyday of loved ones praying for their children, parents, grandparents, cousins who have been recently diagnosed or have lost the fight.

The third layer was reaching out to family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, strangers asking over 2000 people for help so we can fund research and find a cure quickly learning not everyone shares the same passion that there are so many wonderful causes out there to support.

The forth layer was getting a phone call from a child who was diagnosed at 5 is now in remission and so thankful for absolutely anything I can do to raise money and find a cure.  A cure so if it ever should ever come back he has a fighting chance.

The fifth layer was wishing and wondering why this isn't easier for people and questioning myself if I haven't explained the gravity of this devastating disease because every 10 minutes we lose someone to blood cancer.

The sixth layer was the tears I have shed for Tressa, for other children fighting and parents and families who are frightened because there are advanced therapies but there is no cure.

So I peeled all my layers away like an onion and at the heart of it I need help the team and me singularly we are nothing but with others we can make a difference.  Every single dollar can quickly add up if we had volume so we can fund research and find a cure for blood cancer.  These 900,000 and their families desperately need us won't you peel away the layers and take a close look at this with your heart and donate and tell others?

http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 71 of...98 Days... A KISS

I am giving you a KISS today by reminding myself to keep it simple for yesterday I felt that I was too harsh.  Everyone has their motive for joining a fight and reasons for the causes they want to support.  I am learning the hard way that just because I am passionate about this fight doesn't mean others feel the same way.  It's no reflection on them as a person they must have other battles in their lives that are as deadly as this one.

Today I am thinking if I share a few of these heartfelt dedications from all different people maybe others will begin to see and feel what I do.  You would find them under ALL Lights in Light The App iPhone application we developed it's a free download for loved ones to leave a prayer, an inspiration of hope as they light their virtual candle and messages for those battling or have lost the battle to blood cancer.

"My beautiful son.  You keep fighting.  I will always be by your side.  Stay close to faith.  I love you so much"

"At only two years old, you shouldn't have to go through this.  Stay strong.  Your family is behind you 100%!!!  Even though you were only diagnosed today, we already believe you can beat this!

"I hope and pray that you will beat this, I wish there was something I could do to help you fight this.  But for now I will train and run for LLS and hope the money we raise will find a cure."

"My handsome nephew, I love you so much.  I know you're a tough little guy and you will make it through this.  We will make it through this as a family.  I love you more than anything."

"Live another day.  Love you"

"You are fighting a good fight...I hold you in my prayer, little one!!!

"In memory of our sweet angel"

"In loving memory and Happy Birthday!"

"Dragonfly kisses to heaven for you"

"Forever in my heart"

"Sweet dreams my l'll ginger one"

This devastating disease known as blood cancer transcends across all ages and it comes out of nowhere just like it did for Tressa but yet changes the family and loved ones forever. Here is my KISS for the day and I hope you will KISS us back with a donation so we can fund research and find a cure.  http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 70 of...98 Days...The Screen

In basketball the screen that's easy one man steps in front of a defender while the other using the screen can then get to the basket to shoot.  In a home it's usually the last guard of defense against the house either going or coming.  The sun screen protects you from the sun.  So most times the screen is a good thing it's a protection or guard.

But when does the screen act as a repellent keeping you from making a difference?  I see those screens around my neighborhood when people avoid me because they don't know how to tell me that I don't have $5.00 or $10.00 to give to fund research and find a cure for a child diagnosed with Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma.  People screen my teams' follow up calls and send them into voice mail only to return a postcard saying we cannot support your efforts because there are better ways to spend that $5.00 than knowing in the next 10 minutes someone will lose their life to this devastating disease.  Then there is the delete button that acts as a screen in e-mails we sent because if you don't see it in your in-box you don't have to face that 900,000 people diagnosed with blood cancer many of which are children have no cure.

So for today let's take down the screen and open our eyes wide and look at our honoree Tressa a beautiful young woman at 21 who went through so much pain and unimaginable agony and even though so many times she battled back she didn't have a fighting chance because even though there are advanced therapies there is no cure!  Together we can make that difference and fund research and find that cure all we need are donations where every dollar makes a difference so we don't lose another life.

For those who have found it in their heart to donate we could never thank you enough for others please take the screen down just for today and let's save a life.  Click here to donate: http://www.in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 69 of 98 Days...The Conservative

When you are in the midst of trying to make change and have others take notice to go down the conservative track may not be the route at least when it comes to fund-raising.  It seems that if you continue to go down the traditional path you get drowned out by the sameness. You have to break through the clutter and the only way is to do something a little different.

When there are only 29 days left to a fund-raising campaign and you are talking about saving lives it's time to pull out all of the stops and start down a little different path.  The team and I have done everything to reach out to share why this campaign and why now.

Why this campaign, because if you could touch and alter the lives of 900,000 currently diagnosed with blood cancer when anyone of them could be the one that can't fight anymore in the next 10 minutes because the disease won and overtook them then why not join us to stop the bleeding?

Leukemia alone is one cancer that takes so many of the lives of our innocent children. Would you have wanted to be the one to tell Tressa's parents that sorry but I don't have $5, $10 dollars to give so a cure can be found to save your daughter?  Do you know how scared parents are whose children are in remission with this disease and the fear that if the cancer comes back they question and worry if their child will have the ability to defeat it yet again?

So why donate now because if we fund research and find a cure for that next child who ever is diagnosed or comes out of remission the cure is at hand.  We can no longer be in the bubble of fund-raising we need to walk away from the conservative path and ask every one we meet in all different ways if they would join us where every single dollar can make a difference.

So I am asking no I am pleading click here to donate: http://in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 68 of 98 days...Forecast Flurries

Well in Vail or the Mountains for sure but not in the Midwest today but in my own little world there were flurries and I loved every minute.  I would take these kinds of wonderful flurries every day.  It was a flurry of new faces and emails that came across my desktop of first time supporters to the fund-raising campaign.  Ones that made your heart swell and ready to bust buttons.

It all started with my daughter (luckiest Mom in the world) and soon to be son-in-law who I love both so much and adore who with their prompting ignited a fire rallying their friends to donate as well.  Posting on their Facebook walls and trying to help spread the word about the campaign. 

The campaign is all about funding research and finding a cure for blood cancers.  As I thanked them I shared that this fight is about not having another parent lose a child like any of them to this devastating disease.  It's about saving a life.  All donations received felt like big hugs from the most wonderful caring people you would ever want to meet.  They are these amazing Men and Women in their 20's setting an incredible example for all others to follow.  Boy I am going to hope for the forecast to be this kind of flurries again tomorrow.

Day 67 of...98 Days...Overnight Success

Haven't you heard the expression before that oh he or she was an overnight success and look how easy it was for them?  They are so lucky. Well I think if you heard the back story of any "Overnight Success" you would learn there was so much blood sweat and tears that went unnoticed.  The hours and hours of work behind the scenes yet convincing the world it was easy.  At times as they went down that road there were significant moments when they were ready to throw in the towel and then with some force unbeknown to them they just kept on pushing through the hardest part and on the other side they emerged stronger.

Today that happened for our fund-raising campaign to fund research and find a cure for blood cancer.  We presented every imaginable off the wall promotion to every type of available venue and possible promoter and we couldn't seem to get anything off the ground.  Everyone was gracious and wished us luck but felt time was too short to pull it off.  We are looking at only 4 weeks left and not much time but today it all changed we received a call.  The call that said yes come in we believe in the fund-raising campaign and we want to support your efforts for funding research and finding a cure for blood cancer.  We couldn't believe it. We have no firm date in April yet and I can't announce anything but this could make all the difference in helping raise the much needed donations.

So check back and I'll share the news as soon as it becomes final.  And when someone says what an overnight success you had in the campaign and we were lucky you'll know better.  I have the other 66 blogs to show nothing comes without hard intense work, deep frustration but we kept pushing because somewhere when all signs point to impossible we still wanted to believe.  It's the dedications, its Tressa and others who have lost the fight to blood cancer that kept us going at times when there was nothing left in the tank.  And we kept believing in people like you and hoped somehow we would have a breakthrough and someone could help us with an event that would support this campaign so we would not lose another life to this devastating disease.

Day 66 of 98 Days...Are We There Yet

From the mouths of babes "Are We There Yet".  It makes you smile when you think of how many times you heard that phrase from little ones and you found yourself replying okay we are getting closer, okay not much longer, okay we are almost there and yet knowing there's still a ways to go.

That's how I am feeling today with the fund-raising efforts now officially at the halfway point.  I keep asking are we almost there yet achieving the goal we set out to accomplish.  Sadly I go through the motions of convincing myself and others we are getting closer knowing there is still much work yet to do. With over 2000 touches of various ways of reaching out and asking in many different ways of sharing my passion the team and I continue to encourage everyone we meet to help those who have been diagnosed with Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma to help fund research and find a cure .  These 900,000 have therapies but no cure for blood cancer.  Every 10 minutes losing a loved one to this disease.

I know that the heartfelt dedications we receive daily from individuals going through the painstaking process of watching in many cases their child go through unimaginable pain for survival and they have nowhere to turn to express or reach out so they find Light The App and make a simple prayer, a dedication of hope or encouragement.  It is because of these daily reminders I see I am still hoping for that tipping point.  That point at which many realize that with a little help $1, $5 donations we can make a difference and fund research, find a cure and save a life.  I am hoping my Are We There Yet the response will become a resounding yes.

Won't you help me help others.... http://in.llsevent.org/Pam

Day 65 of...98 Days...History in the making

So the Healthcare Bill has passed I am not yet quite sure how this will affect us other than pure speculation.  The 14 month fight over healthcare still continues.  No Republicans voted for it but it still passed. The President will sign the Bill tomorrow.  Senators will fight it and changes will be made and then go back for another vote.  The generalities of it we have all heard but in the end we will learn together how this all unfolds.

The Good News it's all about Health Insurance and providing people with the very best care available that they need regardless of income level and pre-existing condition which can be a great thing for all of us.  But the one piece it does not address is when there is a devastating disease known as blood cancer in which there is no cure to date. The Government is not stepping in it is left to people like you and me helping others.  It's coming to the aid of 900,000 who have a pre-existing condition known as blood cancer where even if they are covered by Insurance the cure is not available.  Yes strides in new therapies are making great headway but we still lose a loved one every 10 minutes. So if it's up to us to make a difference why not start today with a donation so another history in the making can come to the forefront and be announced a cure for blood cancer.

Click here to donate:  http://in.llsevent.org/Pam

Day 64 of 98 Days...March Madness

This is a month where Basketball fans are soaking up every game having the time of their life watching their teams try to make it into the big dance.  Homes everywhere hosting parties as hourly brackets and ladders are being rewritten daily.  What is it about this that has so many huddled up against the TV?  Is it seeing these young kids lay everything on the line for their team?  It's not about money it's about the love of the game and those fans watching can't seem to get enough because they are witnessing the best of the best young men and women out there achieving greatness.  Surprises are always in store which glues you to watch the last minutes because nothing is assured. Upsets occur as underdogs rise to the occasion and moves on while the other left speechless goes home.  But regardless of what happens life goes on and they live to play another day.

What does this have to do with the fund-raising campaign everything and yet nothing?  I try to help give you visuals as to what we are facing with blood cancer in the hopes one of my blogs grabs you.  Did you know Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul Jabbar is fighting a rare form of Leukemia called CML. Former Florida All-America center Dwayne Schintzius is at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa getting treatment in what has become a months-long battle with leukemia.   Charles Hayward, a basketball player at North Carolina-Charlotte, died after a two-year fight with leukemia. He was 21.

Leukemia has no boundaries it strikes when those least expect it and can take a life.  It's a young life that had similar dreams to those during March Madness that you enjoy watching.  It's someone's son, daughter, parent and loved one with the same hopes of those who make it into the big dance.  Except when they lose it's not just a game it's their life.  And every 10 minutes without funding research we lose another to blood cancer. So in the spirit of March Madness and the joy it brings watching young men and women put everything on the line why not add to that feeling by supporting a fund-raising campaign that can save a life.  Every $1.00 can make a difference.  Click here to donate:  http://in.llsevent.org/Pam

Day 63 of 98 Days...The Amazing Race

There is an Amazing Race on TV and then there is another Amazing Race for all of us.  It's the Race against time.  It seems no matter what we are in the middle of we are racing against the clock.  Everything we do on the other side of it has a time limit attached.

For me it's become an Amazing Race against funding research and finding a cure for blood cancer.  It's the fund-raising campaign that started over a month ago and will commence on April 24.  Everyday I feel the time tick and every 10 minutes as hard as it is to hear we lose another to this devastating disease.  So my team of four have literally reached out to thousands of people and asked them to join this fight.  To family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances and others we never even met.  Just trying with everything we have to gain traction and hoping people feel a connection and want to be a part of something that ultimately can save a life and a child's life at that.

Some days it feels like we are making tremendous headway.  Other days this fight falls upon ears where other things in a person's life are more pressing.  Sometimes you know if that person you are reaching out to have not been touched by blood cancer your quest to get them involved seems to have come to an end.

But I can't stop asking for participation and that $1.00, $5.00, $10.00 donation or more because without it funding research cannot happen and a cure is not any closer. Because that Amazing Race I am in is a race for a Parent who just learned out of nowhere their Child has Leukemia. And they are now facing their own child's race against life or death.

Won't you please get involved...  http://in.llsevent.org/Pam

Day 62 of...98 Days...Coming of Age

The "Coming of Age" oh what a time that was to look back upon.  And now we watch our own children grow into Adults.  Every Parent should have that pleasure.  Who wouldn't want to see their baby transform into an unbelievable miracle of life magnificent Adult ready to tackle the world.

This fundraising campaign is about the circle of life being cut short long before it's time when children like Tressa who lost her battle before having the chance for that coming of age party. Although The Society has made great strides in decreasing childhood leukemia rates, the incidents of lymphoma are on the rise, and leukemia remains one of the leading disease killers of children in our country.

That's why I come back every night and keep asking for your support so we can prevent someone else from losing a child, sibling, parent or loved one. Every dollar raised is another dollar to fund research to find a cure. Let's work together to fund research and find a cure so every Parent has the opportunity for the circle of life to occur as nature intended and let them watch the coming of age of their young children.

In the mere seconds it takes to register your donation, you are offering a lifetime of hope to those whose lives have been touched by blood cancers. I am extremely grateful and deeply honored by any contribution or support you can give in memory of Tressa and for the benefit of all those battling right now.

Click http://in.llsevent.org/Pam to make that contribution.

Day 61 of...98 Days..A Day in the Life

Everyday another dedication in Light The App from a loved one praying, reaching out, expressing themselves regarding their beloved fighting for their life from this devastating disease.  The fear of watching a loved one with blood cancer is so real.  If you have not been affected by it sometimes it's easier to sweep it under the rug as though it doesn't exist because it's too hard to hear.  That's human nature and I get that but today I felt the only way you could really understand was to bring it to the forefront and the only way is to share another day in the life of our brave honoree Tressa.

It was October and Tressa' was have horrible stomach pains when the Leukemia had yet returned again with vengeance.  It was a most difficult day a day in which family decisions were in the balance. Tressa's heart rate was up and her belly distended. The doctors had to do surgery to find the source of infection which was in her abdomen. She was on the ventilator being wheeled off to surgery.  She was 21 and it was determined the source of infection could be in fact her ovaries so the entire abdomen cavity was flushed and her ovaries removed. They couldn't close her stomach up because of the swelling so they put a very large bandage to protect her opening and the hope was the days that followed they could suture it back together. She rested soundly after surgery and her oxygen level was better.  The family and pastor all relived after both praying and crying all day because their dear Tressa made it through to fight another day.

It's reading those real life stories that you just don't want to believe happened. Tressa's not the first and I am sad to report she will not be the last.  And in order to find that cure research is needed.  And research comes at a price and that is why I am asking for your help.  Together we can all make a difference so that the Day in the Life isn't about a daughter her lost her life to Leukemia.  Won't you please help me and spread the word no donation is to small every $1.00 can make a difference.

http://in.llsevent.org/pam
Light The App site with link: http://lighttheapp.org

Day 60 of 98 Days - St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick (Patron of Ireland) b. 387 d.461

"St. Patrick preached and converted all of Ireland for 40 years."

According to the Catholic history, St. Patrick labored for forty years to convert the people of Ireland from Druidism to Christianity. A long time - a life time. We marvel at how anyone can remain committed throughout such a long period of time.

I suppose that the key is that he was ''committed. St. Patrick was ardently committed to his cause and furthermore believed that his mission was blessed and it was worthy. He faced enumerable obstacles in his campaign to covert the non-believers including many from those who opposed him by attempting to end his quest, killing him if necessary.

Fast forward fifteen centuries and find us here engaged in a struggle to change minds and hearts just as did St. Patrick in his day. Daily we are working to convince those we meet online and on the streets of our own neighborhood of the relevancy of supporting research to find a cure for life ending blood cancers. Like St. Patrick my team struggles in a community where so many we encounter aren't believers in our cause, many of which would rather we simply disappear. Of course their reaction is not directed toward us, in fact is is likely the threat of the disease that they are reacting to, as people are very much afraid of all cancers and by ignoring them are hoping against hope to cast them all into non-existence. But of course that is the stuff that fairy tales are made of.

So, on this 2010 edition of St. Patrick's Day, we celebrate the man, his mission, and his struggle to convert the people to his cause. Similarly, we take great inspiration in his work to find the deep reserves to continue our own mission to complete our work to fund the research to find a cure for blood cancers now or at the very least before another 40 years has passed!

Won't you help today with a few dollars? It means a lot to the men, women, and so many children who are struggling to survive with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma.

http://in.llsevent.org/pam

Day 59 of...98 Days...Here comes the Postmen

Practically at the midpoint and we are feeling like you just have to try a little bit of everything.  So with the help of two very loving people (our soon to be in-laws who we adore) we stuffed envelopes over dinner one night.  They brought over a scrumptious meal and we were like a well oiled machine letter here, one donation form, self addressed envelope and insert into larger envelope.  Rinse and Repeat you could say until another 450 letters were sealed and ready to go.

It was a wonderful evening we talked about our daughter and their son's wedding this summer and laughter ensued.  Then the conversation turned to the task at hand.  We showed them Light The App they hadn't downloaded yet they couldn't believe all of the heartfelt dedications that appeared.  They both made a dedication to their Niece Tressa that night.  It was extremely touching. It's so sad that I never had the pleasure of meeting our honoree but I do know in Tressa's memory I don't want another family to lose another loved one it's just not fair especially when it is a child who had not yet begun to live.

So the letters are ready and Tom and I are the new area Postman delivering our letters every night walking to neighborhoods and putting them in the mailboxes hoping that we can reach out to you and appeal for a donation.   So look for the new postmen wearing sweats, sweatshirts and sneakers and a knapsack, our letter carrier, walking their black and white English Springer Spaniel we will be coming to a neighborhood near you.  Please say hello and we hope that you'll join us as we reach out and collect $1.00, $5.00 every dollar counts so we can Stamp Out" blood cancer and find a cure so we don't lose another life as we do every 10 minutes from this devastating disease.

If you prefer make a secure online donation: http://in.llsevent.org/PAM

Download Light The App: http://lighttheapp.org

Day 58 of...98 Days...Opt out

"Opt out".  That was literally the entire response I received when I sent an appeal/ ask for support LLS letter via e-mail.  I have to say it took me by surprise.  I just stared at that very powerful phrase that set off a series of emotions for me.  At first I was saying to myself are you kidding me opt out of what?  This wasn't a monthly e-newsletter; this was a plea for funding research to find a cure so we wouldn't lose another life.  Then I thought oh what if this person just went through some horrible ordeal and that was all they could muster to say because it was too painful too hard.

So then I started to look at that word more closely and thought you know what a great goal to have the ability to opt out of blood cancer.  The doctor comes in after running a series of tests on you or a child or a loved one and out of nowhere the diagnosis is Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma and you said no we opt out.  We refuse to be a part of the lunacy that will begin the treatments the therapies the chemo the sickness the pain the possibility of losing the battle against it we just opt out.

If at this very point in time it could be that easy.  If it were I wouldn't be here day after day asking for your help your donations a $1, $5 it doesn't matter every dollar can stop us from losing another in the next 10 minutes to blood cancer.  So together let's make this the "opt out" campaign for blood cancer.  Please help me spread the word and when we rally enough people and funding then when someone is diagnosed with this devastating disease they can say I opt out now give me the cure.  

Day 57 of...98 Days...So Many Choices

I was going through my various feeds today and read about so many wonderful causes. There are people trying to raise money for Autistic children, others trying to help single parents, others trying to raise money for the Relay for Life, for Susan G. Komen, St Judes Hospital, Riley Children's Hospital, Wheeler Mission, Haiti, Chile, Africa, United Way, Red Cross etc. You can't help but to look around and be touched by how many different options you have to support.

And here I am trying to touch your heart again with my efforts for yet another The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to fund research and find a cure for blood cancer. I think I have come to the conclusion that everyone has decided upon which ones to fully support and are stretched so thin it's hard to give beyond those causes. The important message is that I commend you for giving to whatever Charity or Charities is your calling. I think the fact you are giving is the most important piece. That you know with that gift you are making a difference. Whether its 1 dollar or more the fact is every dollar adds up to saving someone's life.

So today on behalf of all charitable giving I say thank you from the bottom of my heart! And if you have not found your cause just yet there are so many amazing choices just give once and you will see not only what those dollars can do for another but what it can do for your life as well.

Day 56 of...98 Days...Why We Fight On

Today's post was written by Tom Krengel, Pam's husband and campaign team member.

I am a middle aged man. I'm 50 years old but that sounds much older than I feel. Middle-aged, well at least I hope that I am only mid way through this wonderful life. And if I am going to live to be 100, I want to ensure that I will be alert, healthy and active throughout my life. So I work hard to do all the things that are recommended for me by the experts, such as:

• I eat a low fat, balanced diet, lots of vegetables, a little meat, foods that have a good amount of fiber. 
• I watch my weight. Sure dessert or a sweet here and there but I do my best to limit those treats and when I allow myself to "indulge" I try to pay attention to the serving size.
• I don't use tobacco products.
• I exercise, not as hard or as long as years past, but enough to elevate my heart rate and "feel a little burn".
• I try to get eight hours of sleep every night.
• If I have a weakness it's that I do enjoy wines. But again moderation is the key there as well.
• Finally, I like to read, I think it helps to keep my mind in good shape.

And yet I know that none of what I just stated, what I do to stay healthy and active is going to help me one iota should the odds turn against me and I become a leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma victim. At that point I'm starting a new regimen and with it the daily fights to beat back the monster and survive.

This campaign is about giving me or you or your children, a fighting chance should that happen to any one of us. Like me you will want, no you will insist that you are given the best therapies to eradicate the blood disease that grabbed on to you or your kids. But it's no secret and we all know that those therapies and "the cure" will only happen with research and discovery - and that is expensive and that means we have to give and give some more of our time and treasure until it is accomplished. But the good news - we only have to give what we can afford to - nothing more.

Today, right now, won't you click this link and give a contribution of whatever amount works for you, $5, $10, $20?
Thank you for reading my post.
Best,
Tom Krengel

Day 55 of...98 Days...The Juggler

I looked in the mirror and thought wow I looked tired and definitely a little beat up from the week.  I have very curly hair and as my husband tells me lovingly it can look crazy wild at times almost reflecting how I feel and today was one of those days.  I am doing all I can to balance work, this campaign and my daughter's wedding.  I have become this expert juggler constantly moving all three balls in the air always trying my best to move everything forward.  It's taken everything I have to be completely organized and dedicate times throughout the day and days of the week to certain tasks.

I was asked am I glad I am doing this campaign and how do I feel about it?  I volunteered to do this I brought all of this on myself. So I thought I would share how I am feeling.

When I was asked to do this campaign I just couldn't say no.  Everyone close to me thought maybe this wasn't the best time to take this on but I thought to myself I have to do this.  I can't bear to hear of another Parent losing a child it's not fair and with funding more research we can find a cure.  I am a Mom planning my daughter's wedding while other Parents to put it quite blunt are planning funerals.  Every 10 minutes we are losing a loved one to blood cancer.

The over 700 downloads on the free iPhone app Light The App dedications to be loved ones just reinforce that piece of our campaign was so well worth it and again confirms we just can't lose another to blood cancer.

Am I tired yes, am I stressed about wanting to fulfill my commitment to this fund-raising campaign and beyond yes but in the end with your help if together we save a life what in the world could be better than that?  So I will keep juggling and I am hoping you will all support the campaign and the efforts.  Every dollar counts to fighting blood cancer and finding a cure!

Make a donation: http://in.llsevent.org/PAM

Light The App site with link: http://lighttheapp.org

 

Day 54 of 98 Days...from little acorns mighty oaks grow

This has been a giving week we hope with your help we continue to repeat.

We received incredibly generous individual donations this week ones that would take your breath away and you could never thank those individuals enough. There were even companies we are so grateful to who do not know me or Tressa our honoree but understand the urgency and importance of this campaign of funding research for a cure of blood cancer.

Today was then topped off when I received news that the students of the Hutson School collected $580.00 for our campaign, I was incredibly touched. Understand that these young students, K-12, are incredibly intelligent and driven to succeed, and yet face their own unique challenges with dyslexia or other specific language learning differences.  Their Student Council led the way with the fund-raiser so they worked to raise money for kids they don't know just that they are part of their generation and are affected with a life threatening blood cancer. Their extremely proud principal reached out to me today and told me the wonderful news.

Its people of all ages coming together for a common cause to fight against this devastating disease so we do not lose another loved one from blood cancer.  "From little acorns might oaks grow"...a very special person shared that with me tonight and told me that was a favorite saying from someone near and dear to our hearts our honoree Tressa. 

Day 53 of 98 Days - The Real Man and Woman of the Year Unmasked

I have since the beginning been really uncomfortable with the named title of this fundraising campaign. My thought being Man and Woman of the Year - how pretentious is that? Raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is honorable and commendable. Period. Raising the most money in a geographical area such as Indianapolis for the funding of cancer research is an honor, and every one of the participants in this campaign that I have met are notable in their desire to defeat blood cancers in our time by raising gobs of cash for cancer research. That is our prize. Collectively we want to throw enough money at this monster that we can drive it back to the hell from which it came! We are all one in this.

The moniker of Man and Woman of the Year? No. That is not our goal. Money and lots of it for research to defeat this monster cancer. That is our goal. We don't want titles. We want a cure. Now.

So who is the real Man and Woman of the Year? What is the definition of a Man or Woman of the Year? Could it be an individual or couple who is brave, resilient, fearless, and so full of life and enthusiasm for it that they can daily look in the face of their child and continue cheer them on through endless chemo and transfusions?

It's clear to me that every Mother and Father of a leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma victim is the real Man and Woman of the Year. To all of those moms and dads, and especially to Dan and Jo Ellen to whom I know and love personally, I dedicate my campaign.

You are truly the Men and Women of the Year!

Day 52 of 98 Days...Ride like the Wind

When you are in a fund-raising campaign it is such an emotional wild ride.  Some days you are riding like the wind flying so high and incredibly thankful for the generous donations.  The close to 600 downloads of the Light The App to date and the heartfelt dedications coming in brings you to tears.  You think yes I was meant to do this fund-raiser, develop the iPhone app and with you by my side we can make such a difference.

And then you get an e-mail that makes me realize oh no we only have 46 days left to climb a mountain.  So you get in the fastest car you have put your foot on the gas the petal to the metal and ride like the wind.  You can't take the turns slow you have to take some risks and climb knowing the odds.  You have to bring an energy level one that has to come so deep within you are almost flying to get to the top.  Because not reaching the pinnacle the peak is not an option, running out of gas is not an option.  You have too many people counting on you 900,000 in fact and you give it all the power you have.

Because when you are talking about life or death you find new ways to reach out to people complete strangers and share with them the importance of this fund-raising campaign.  You tell them Tressa's story and how you never want to see another parent lose a child to blood cancer and you say with your help we can do this we can fund research and find a cure.  So will you come with me and ride like the wind by donating and spreading the word.  So in the next 10 minutes we won't keep losing another to blood cancer.

Make a donation: http://in.llsevent.org/PAM

Light The App site with link: http://lighttheapp.org

Day 51 of...98 Days...A Series of One Liners

"Houston - we have a problem."  We recognize time is running short and that we have to step up our efforts.

"A 'wish' changes nothing. A 'decision' changes everything!"  We have new ways we are going to reach out in the hopes we gain momentum and brand new supporters.

"The heart has reasons which reason does not understand". Our dedication to this fight is one of pure emotion of wanting to make a difference so not another parent loses a child a sibling, a family member, mom dad or grandparent with blood cancer.

"You had me at 'hello.'"  We hope with our new efforts we will have your support.

"One meeeellion dollars."  No just $50,000.

'The Force will be with you, always."  As you spread the word and get others to join this fight we can fund research and find a cure for blood cancer.

'Here's looking at you, kid." Thank you in advance for your support and donation and I will see you tomorrow night right here.

Day 50 of...98 Days...Walking in the Shoes

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to walk in someone else's shoes?  Who would you pick? A known leader, a born genius, a scientist, movie star, an athlete, a billionaire, a politician, a neighbor, a teacher... In one snapshot of time you would get a glimpse into a day in their life. 

Well what if that one moment in time you were walking in the shoes of a parent with the most loving child. In that moment you were in the hospital watching over the bed of this child who you absolutely cherished and could not love enough.  And you were sitting witnessing them cry in their sleep from nightmares because they were both frightened and in pain.  They were on a ventilator with tubes going every which way and the world at that moment looked surreal.  Everyone was talking about the importance of platelets where they were none existent in her body. You looked around and thought to yourself this couldn't be real.  You just wanted to grab that child and run but you couldn't because you knew this was the only place she could possibly survive if she/he was going to.  You felt helpless and just spent the day just watching and praying the nightmare would come to an end.  This was the day in the life of Tressa parents and families watching over our honoree who had Leukemia and was taken from this devastating disease.

I just know through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society fund-raising campaigns like this one with everyone's help we could come together to fund research and find a cure.  Let's not let another parent or family member walk in the shoes of watching a loved one affected with blood cancer.

Won't you take part in this fight and donate where every single dollar can make a difference...
Make a donation: http://in.llsevent.org/PAM
Light The App site with link: http://lighttheapp.org

Day 49 of 98 Days...Halfway Point

Well we are at the halfway point.  It's hard to believe where the time has gone.  It just seemed like yesterday when I accepted the nomination.  It was at that point I knew exactly who I would like to honor with this fund-raising campaign and it was by asking they gave me the gift of saying yes.

I have learned so much about Tressa by reading the journal filled with raw emotion of what Tressa and her family wrote trying to understand what's happening to her, the fears, and the despair to the highs of seeing improvement to the tragedy of her death.  I admit I cried through most of it, it was so hard to hear about her battle with Leukemia and so many times when it returned she was so brave fighting back. But this disease shows no mercy or favoritism it doesn't know age or care and every time I open to write this daily blog I see her beautiful face and am always reminded why this campaign has to be successful.

And every morning when I open to see the new heartfelt dedications to other loved ones diagnosed and fighting or a now a memory of a sister, a mother, a teacher or a mere child on Light The App again I am reminded and driven to see the fund-raising continues and with your help reach the goal.

So at this halfway point I am reporting to you that we still have such a long way to go but I trust in people that if they understand a cause and they can believe in it they will rally and get behind the goal and make it happen.  There are so many prayers being made for the 900,000 affected by this disease and tears being shed every 10 minutes when a beloved is lost to blood cancer.  So as we reach out we are asking for help in spreading the word.  It's simple with donations we can fund research and find a cure so we never lose another life to blood cancer.

Make a donation: http://in.llsevent.org/PAM
Light The App site with link: http://lighttheapp.org