Our hero, Bob, is sick today and feeling "especially fatigued". While he dozes in his big, plump [ugly] chair, I wanted to bring you a little more news.

First, let me speak for the team and say that we are overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends and colleagues. Your response has moved us beyond belief. Thank you all.

Part of the Marsh Rats' Savannah contingent visited Bob and Molly during the holidays and we walked a 5k around this lake on Christmas Eve Day. Then on Christmas Day we walked a further 1.7 miles but had to give it up due to cold rain. Betsy and David brought the four-legged team member, Jasper, with them

L-R top Betsy, Bob; bottom David, Molly

The entire team is so honored by the response to our requests for contributions. When our contributions deadline comes, we will all be able to heave a sigh of relief, having met our goal in support of the LLS programs. But, the need for contributions does not stop there [January 18]. Please consider supporting the LLS throughout the year in memory of your loved ones and friends who may be suffering even now for lack of funds to pursue aggressive research for treatments that may one day save their lives. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support of this worthy organization.

Marsh Rats come in 3 minutes AFTER they stop the clock! Here we are, [L-R] Carmela, Jane, Molly, Bob, Betsy and David, stepping across the line, the last team to arrive at the finish, and just 3 minutes, 4 seconds after they stopped the official clock. So, our time was 2 hrs, 3 minutes, and 4 seconds. Bob was in great spirits, as were we all, and delighted in the visits we had with friends along the way....probably why we were so long in coming to this point!

But, here is the start....before dawn [we can't believe we did this]...

Walkers gather at the pavilion on the pier at Tybee Island. Brilliant dawn.

Thanks to friends Andy and Andrew who drummed for all walkers/runners, we danced our way towards the 6 mile mark [L-R Carmela, Betsy and Molly].

Jane, Bob and Molly celebrate the 6-mile mark....just .3 miles to go. Jane doing a great marsh rat imitation.

At the end of the day...really just 9:15 a.m....we were happy to have finished and fulfilled our promise to all our donors....we did it and only Betsy's knee [see ice pack] suffered.

Bob and Molly cherish every single day together. The donations "window" does not close until March 18 so feel free to contribute more, again, whatever. Despite the fact that we have exceeded our goal by several thousand dollars, it is really just enough to help three patients with their expenses and support 1 clinical trial. So much is needed.

We honor you, we thank you and we believe in you. Your generosity and giving spirit is most welcome.

We ate bagels, drank Mimosas and took a long nap in the lovely condo so generously provided by Diane and Gary Monroe. We also want to thank our official photographer, Carmen Stan, for her dedication in staying with us for the whole trip....from dawn to 2 hrs. 3 minutes and 4 seconds!

The amazing donors to the Marsh Rats Team have provided over 40% of the goal meeting funds sought by the LLS for this event. You are generous and kind.

Buddhist monks carry a small bowl for offerings that will sustain them and they gratefully accept all that is offered. Receiving what has been offered into our empty bowl has been a challenge....we simply are hoping to be worthy. To best reply to these gifts WE WILL WALK, laugh, enjoy the day and the friendships, being present and observing the eccentricities of our route, whatever they are. Bob will lead the way and, though he may fall behind, he will be at the front of the team spiritually, inspiring all of us to complete the 10K in good humor and, hopefully, a happy body. It will be a day of no cancer talk, just the joy of the walk.

Below, Bob, our fearless leader....

Marsh Rats [L-R] Carmela, Jane and Betsy on Ossabaw for the occasion of Sandy West's 100th birthday.

Again, we all hope that any of you who can, will cheer us on the route and finally meet us at the finish line [the LLS has a tent there with drinks and snacks] so we can celebrate together and take a photo to share with each and every donor. We expect to arrive at the finish around 9:30 am. Go to the Critz Tybee Run Fest website for details on the route for the 10K:

http://www.critztybeerun.com/10K

Each year at the holidays David and Betsy give their friends and family a bottle [donated] of Greg Butch's legendary eggnog. Betsy and her friend, Noel Szychowski, spend many days lovingly preparing this little bit of holiday heaven. The organic eggs and organic creams add a level of richness and the bourbon, dark rum, and peach and apricot brandies add the buzz that makes this nog irresistible. Hence the "danger" tape on each bottle. If you were not on the nog mailing list, feel free to contact Betsy at betsy@betsycain.com for a copy.

The Marsh Rats team, each and all, want to thank each of you for your generosity of spirit and cash towards this effort to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society research. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. No words can properly express our gratitude.

Now for some KNOWLEDGE:

Multiple myeloma is a rare, incurable, malignancy of the bone marrow plasma cells. A disease of the immune system that attacks the bones and kidneys. With a damaged immune system and treatment side effects, myeloma patients are at high risk for infection, which is the leading cause of death. It is relatively rare and develops in 1-4 per 100,000 people per year. It represents 1% of all cancers and 2% of all cancer deaths. Myeloma cells only respond to treatment temporarily. They can go into hiding for awhile, sometimes for many years, but they are always lurking, cleverly planning a bigger comeback. Each time there is a relapse, a different treatment must be used. Sometimes it is the same treatment tried earlier or sometimes it is the addition of a new novel drug that has progessed through the clinical trial maze and is now available through FDA approval. Fortunately, due to research by such foundations as the LLS, there are many new and promising myeloma drugs in the pipeline that are adding many more years to the previous average survival rate of just 5 years. LLS plays a vital role in funding the research for these new drugs as well as providing life-enhancing support and financial aid for the afflicted.

With the help of Peter Brodhead from Brighter Day and my sister, Betsy, I had something I could hold onto when I felt I had lost control of my life. Peter gave me a fabulous nutritional supplement protocol that we believe contributed to my reaching Complete Remission. Peter even guided my oncologist, Dr. Perry Ballard, in some extra tests in my bloodwork. These helped Peter adjust my protocol as needed. My thanks to Peter and Brighter Day for caring for me during the worst of times. -Bob

Here's a picture of my morning "bowl"....and the prune juice. The rock is from Molly.