Chris Mercer won the iPad during the drawing on Septemeber 25, 2010 in Augusta, GA.

Raffle is Closed and Complete. Every attempt to win was a winning donation to LLS.

You can still support the mission, to help visit my main fundraising page.

Help Me Save Lives

I'm training to participate in the Ironman 70.3 Augusta as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Team In Training. All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers. But, most especially for Katie Whatley, a daughter of a dear friend of mine.

Katie Whatley

Why?

I have been personally touched an inspired by local TNT coaches, volunteers, and earlier team members. Their dedication to my favorite sports and, most importantly, to helping find cures and provide assistance to those suffering from blood cancers have inspired me to join their ranks. I was most touched over the last few years by witnessing the dedication of one father, Prince Whatley, as he and his family fought against the leukemia his daughter, Katie, was diagnosed with. The news is currently good as evidenced in Prince's most recent status report:

Many of you periodically ask me how Katie's doing. For those of you I haven't spoken to lately, this bit of news continues to be good. Other than a fairly significant limp due to bone loss in her hips, caused by the chemotherapy, she's pretty much back to normal. She only occassionally has pain in her legs when she walks or stands for a very long time. But most importantly, she only gets her blood checked every other month now, and so far we keep getting the "all clear" results back from the lab. - Prince Whatley

I learned a lot about being strong and being a leader by witnessing Prince's reaction and behavior throughout this period of his life. I heard hope and strength in his voice as he described how Katie was doing during our runs together. While this was inspirational, I am still motivated, and I am sure you are too, to help ensure that other families can benefit from new treatments or a cure thanks to aggressive and well funded research. Or, to receive the assistance they need to maximize the benefits from the treatments used today.

Please Join the Fight, Help Me!

I invite you to help me fight a winnable war. Your dollars will fund important research, and patient services and educational materials for families affected by blood cancer. Typically, TNT participants get a few big donations in the $300-$400 range, and several $100's too. But $10-$50 donations typically make up the majority. Every donation helps.

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.

Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your support!