Ron's Hike!

Welcome to Ron's Hike page!

May 25, 2008

As many of you know, during the past 15+ years I have donated whole blood and platelets regularly to the Puget Sound Blood Center, and am registered with the National Marrow Donor Program. I have given over 100 blood donations which have benefited many people in need of whole blood and blood components. Sadly, I can no longer donate blood, at least for the foreseeable future, because of my recent diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia caused by celiac disease.

Celiac disease is an allergy to gluten that damages the small intestine and interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food. Fortunately, celiac is treatable by modifying my diet so that I don’t eat foods containing gluten. Unfortunately, there are others not so lucky as to have a disease that is treatable by just a dietary change. These are people with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, Hodgkin’s disease, and other blood cancers. More than 823,000 Americans are living with one of these blood cancers. For them there are no cures yet; only long, arduous, expensive, and life-altering treatments that must be endured while researchers work for cures.

It is for these people that I have recently joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) fund raising program called Hike for Discovery. I have made a commitment to raise $3000 (or more!) to help support the LLS in their mission to cure blood cancers, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, the LLS has invested more than $550 million for research specifically targeting blood cancers. LLS is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The LLS does not receive any federal funding, so they depend on donations for continued support of these needed programs.

I may not be able to donate blood anymore, but by golly I can hike! On Sep 12th thru 14th I will participate in a 3-day hike on the Wonderland Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park with other dedicated fundraisers on my team. During the coming months we will be training together to prepare for the hike and raise awareness of (and funds for) the work being done by the LLS.

Our teams Honored Teamate is a local 7 year old boy named Dylan Ellefson (pictured above). Dylan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia three years ago at age 4. Since then he has endured blood and platelet transfusions, a spinal tap, bone marrow biopsies, and is currently in a three year program of chemotherapy. (And I complain because I can't eat donuts anymore!) I met Dylan last weekend. Outwardly he appears as happy-go-lucky as any other first grader, but none of us would want to endure what he and his family have in the past few years. He’s an amazing little guy with the heart of a fighter!

If you know someone else who is battling cancer (or any other disease), please let me know. I will write their name on a ribbon clipped to my backpack for everyone to see, and will hike in their honor as well!

My fundraising goal of $3000 by August 29th is a lofty one, but it is one that I can achieve with your support. Please donate generously by selecting an amount and clicking the "DONATE NOW" button to the left. Your donation is tax deductible and you will receive a receipt for tax purposes. If you work for a company that matches employee donations, please request the match for my Hike for Discovery journey, send me the form and I'll take care of the rest.

If you have any comments or questions about the Hike or donations, please:

• call me at 206-992-1604
• email me at: sockrataz@comcast.net
• check out my blog at: http://sockrataz.wordpress.com/

I update my blog regularly so that's the best place to keep up with my adventure.

Thank you so much for your support – of both me and cancer patients & survivors through your gift to the LLS.

Ron