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Author Message   doctoralissa Citizen Username: Doctoralissa Post Number: 155 Registered: 1-2004 Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 11:20 am:        Dear Friends and Neighbors: In four short months, on June 17, 2006 I will be participating in my first triathlon (swim ½ mile, bike 17 miles and run 5 miles “Go Alissa!”) to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program. This fundraiser helps the Society fund research that has lead or contributed to advances that fight all blood cancers including chemotherapy, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation and new, target oral therapies such as Gleevac. I’ve chosen to take on this goal for a few reasons: • First, having been blessed with a healthy new baby, I was looking for a way to “give back” to those families not as fortunate as ours. They look to the Society for support, education and researching a cure. The overall survival rate for leukemia (the #1 killer of children under the age of 15) has risen from 4% to 87%! The Leukemia and Lymphoma society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education, and patient services. • Secondly, this body of diseases impacts my community hard—incidence rates for all types of blood cancer are 7 percent higher among African-Americans than among those of European descent. The Society helps these and all families cope with the challenges presented with managing and treating these diseases. • Thirdly, Team in Training connects participants with persons diagnosed with blood cancers. I am truly moved and inspired by our two “honored teammates”, Christopher Avallone and Deborah Ludwig, both leukemia survivors. Chris is only seven years old and has been handling his often painful treatments very well. Deborah’s fortitude and humor humble me. Together their strength and courage push me to accomplish my goal of completing this endurance event. • Lastly, by training with Team in Training, I get to benefit from the coaching and camaraderie of individuals who are passionate about a cause and enjoy training and competing. Please help in sponsoring this event by going to my fundraising website: http://www.active.com/donate/tntnonj/TripleThreat or PL me if you want to send a check, Payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. . If your company has a matching gift program, you can submit your donation to that as well. My goal is to raise $1,800, but I’d love to raise more! Please respond as soon as you can, but }before May 1, 2006! If you’ve been touched by these diseases and have someone you’d like me to swim/bike/run in honor of please give me their name and I’ll add it to my jersey on race day! With sincere thanks, Alissa Gardenhire-Crooks, Ph.D.   doctoralissa Citizen Username: Doctoralissa Post Number: 156 Registered: 1-2004 Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 11:23 am:        Thanks for all the support I've recieved so far. Keep it up and tell your friends! Maplewood Rocks!!! http://www.active.com/donate/tntnonj/TripleThreat Alissa   Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 3999 Registered: 1-2004 Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 2:25 pm:        Good Luck with the run! My sister's done this the past few year! Now that we personally know someone the Foundation has helped, it's much more personal ans has a lot more meaning. It's hard to explain, but being able to put a face to a great foundation such as the LL&F makes helping them raise money more important!   pangurbrown Supporter Username: Pangurbrown Post Number: 37 Registered: 7-2003 Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 5:15 pm:        Best of luck in the triathalon! You are an inspiration.   doctoralissa Citizen Username: Doctoralissa Post Number: 159 Registered: 1-2004 Posted on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 - 10:00 pm:        check out my blog "DoctorAlissa's Tri Try" in the blogspace on MOL to check out my training progress. Thanks to everyone who has supported me thus far! I can't believe your generousity. Don't forget to tell your friends!