Halfway There

We're at the halfway point now. My training has me up to 14 miles this coming weekend, and donations are also at the halfway mark. It is hard to believe, but I'm actually seeing myself as a marathon runner. It is a whole new way of looking at life. People are so supportive, too. Everyone who hears about this project wants to know what they can do to help.

Donations are the key. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society sponsors drug research and patient support that played a major role in Daddy's fight with cancer, and that support continues for thousands of other cancer patients every day.

Drug research costs money, and the sooner we can find new drug combinations and get them into the hands of patients who need them, the better. Lives are literally at stake. I know funding from LLS helped pave the way for the drug Rituxan, and this one drug was a very important one in Daddy's treatment.

A major part of Daddy's fight was his participation in an online patient support group, which I believe was set up through LLS. After his passing, I spent a few hours on his computer, deleting emails, and found a whole bunch from this group. After a while, I got curious and started reading them. He fought Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma for 7 years, and had lots of experience. He shared it. He was strong but honest. I'll never forget one in particular. He responded to a call for help. It appeared to be an email from a much younger man, who said he had a lot of questions, but most of all, he was scared. Daddy's response was amazing. He said, yes, he was scared, too. And angry. His response was kind and gentle, but encouraging, too. It inspired me, and I can only imagine how much it helped the young man who received it. The condolence emails were pretty clear; Daddy's participation in this support group had meant a great deal to a great many people.

It is my understanding that in addion to online support groups, LLS funding provides patient support through an information resource center, educational programs, financial aid programs and access to information about cancer centers across the country. Cancer patients and their families have so many questions, and information is so very, very helpful.

Donate if you can. Every penny counts. Links to the donation page are at the right. Give early and often. For our grandchildren.