Why would I ever consider running a marathon?

Over three years ago, I was in my office when the phone rang. At the time, I had no idea that the news I was about to receive would change my life forever.

My mother was on the other end of the line and said: “Are you alone?”

I was shaking as I walked over to my office door to shut it.

When I returned to the phone, my mother solemnly said, “I just got back from the doctor and I found out I have leukemia. The doctor said that I have a very rare form of leukemia and they don’t currently have a cure for it.”

I was shocked, saddened, and confused. I was overcome by emotion. I left the office that day not really understanding what leukemia was and why this had to happen to my family.

This news changed me.

I knew I had to do something to help save my mom’s life but I felt completely helpless. I’m normally a problem solver and can fix issues whenever they arise. Not this time. I knew I wasn’t a surgeon or a clinical researcher, so my ability to help find a cure to save my mom’s life was limited.

Then, one day I found a red folder on my desk with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society logo on the front. I opened it up and it was a pitch for the LLS Man and Woman of the Year campaign. The next day I agreed to join the campaign.

I immediately knew that this was my calling. Even though I couldn’t personally find the cure, I could help fund the research to give my mom a chance at extending her life. The campaign gave me hope and, at the time, that’s what I needed more than anything else.

I utilized my campaign to tell my mother’s story and to help raise money to find a cure. At the end of the campaign, I raised $43,000. Since then, I participated in the Tour de Tucson Century Bike Ride where I was the top fundraiser. Now, I am committed to running the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on behalf of my mom. My goal is to raise $5,000, but I can’t do it without your support.

For the last six months, my mom has been participating in a clinical trial to help extend her life. Her results have been positive so far. We are SO close to finding a cure, so please make a donation because every dollar counts.

Please take a minute to read the note from my mom below. She also included a link to this video that is a must see because it is the answer for her form of leukemia. (http://vimeo.com/54668275) They are conducting clinical trials now and her only hope is that the drug can come to market faster than the projected 5 to 10 years. A cure is already out there, but my mom won’t have access to the drug unless additional funding is secured to fast track the process.

Thanks, in advance, for your support.

NOTE FROM MOM:

Hi. My name is La Verne Abe Harris and I was diagnosed with leukemia August 2009 right at the height of my career as an Associate Professor at Purdue University. The blood cancer is called Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (CLL/SLL) with the cytogenetic deletion of 17p, which changes the diagnosis to a poor prognosis. It means I am chemo-resistant. I was also symptomatic. Because I am bi-racial (half Japanese and half German) the doctors said my chances for a bone marrow transplant match are less than 1%. A medical expert told me that most people with this diagnosis do not live more than two to three years.

The summer of 2012 I was accepted into a clinical trial with an experimental drug – a kinase inhibitor. The drug will not cure me, but it will keep the cancer at bay until a cure is found. Today there is no knowledge of the long-term side effects of using the drug and there is no knowledge of when the drug will stop working. But today for me, HOPE comes in the form of three blue capsules a day.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has been instrumental in funding clinical trials for blood cancers. I am keeping my eye on the work originated by Dr. Carl June at the University of Pennsylvania (PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO: http://vimeo.com/54668275). He has successfully cured several people with leukemia by re-engineering their own T-cells with benign HIV cells and injecting them back in their bodies. The researchers still have to work on finding a way so that the re-engineered T-cells do not attack the healthy B-cells, leaving the patient immune-compromised.

When my son said that he was running a marathon to raise money for research, I was honored. Rocky has always been by my side doing all he can do for me on this journey. I am really blessed in this life. I thank you in advance for giving me more hope.

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death.”

― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

Gratitude & love,

Dr. La Verne

www.DrLaVerne.blogspot.com