Happy 2015 Friends and Family!
Each year, as many folks do, I try to set a number of resolutions for myself. Some of them are simple to do and usually achievable:
And others are more elusive, almost impossible to achieve:
But in between, there are resolutions that are challenging yet attainable with a little work. Those that I know will allow me to grow from the effort, but aren't so difficult that I will beat myself up for missteps in the process. The sweet spot of New Years resolutions, if you will. My winning formula usually looks like this:
To that end -- I've decided to do America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride on June 7, 2015. It's a 100 mile ride around and near Lake Tahoe. Despite living in the Bay Area for nearly 15 year (holy smokes!) and despite all the cycling I've done in the past, I have not actually ridden around Lake Tahoe (new challenge!).
The past year and half had a number of physical stumbling blocks for me. My injuries kept my in a super attractive boot for 6 months, and off any serious physically activity for about 9 months. Now, I'm healed, getting stronger, and ready to get back at it (be more active!).
Last year, I did manage to train for an endurance event with a friend. We had a great time, as we always do. But I honestly can say, when I can channel my energy and love of cycling towards a cause near and dear to me, I find so much more satisfaction.
So once again, I am committing to train with Team in Training and fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). My goal this year is raise at least $3500.
Over 75% of all of the funds we raise, go directly to support ground-breaking research to find a cure for blood cancers, or to support services that help patients and their families as they navigate the scary and challening waters of a cancer diagnosis.
LLS has funded research that developed drugs therapies like Gleevec and Rituxan. These are FDA approved drugs that enable patients with certain types of leukemia or non-Hodgkins lymphoma to manage or control their cancer. These therapies also continue to show great promise in helping patient with other types of cancer (brain, breast, pancreatic, and lung cancers, e.g.), and with conditions like Alzheimers and asthma.
Two of my very dear friends, Todd and Becky, are survivors of blood cancers. Todd was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in 2006. CML isn't curable, but it's treatable with drugs likes the ones LLS has funded. Becky is a Hodgkin's Lymphoma survivor, and has luckily been in remission for nearly 20 years. I'm blessed to have these two folks in my life. I will train, as I do every year, in their honor.
It seems like (and this may a sign of my age) that each week, I hear about a new cancer diagnosis among my friends and family. I've lost too many friends to its clutches over the years. Science has come so far in the fight against it, but it's clear that we still have a long way to go.
So I am asking if you would please consider helping us take a step towards finding a cure to diseases like leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and to please help me meet at least a few of my new years resolutions by making a tax-deductible donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Any amount, large or small will make a difference.
And, if you want to help me get more sleep, call my parents, or eat less cheese, I'm all for that, too. Just watch the cheese policing on the days when I haven't gotten enough sleep. You may regret it.
Thanks for your support in any form! May 2015 bring you much joy and love.
With love and gratitude,
Melissa
PS. You can keep up my training antics on my blog: http://melathalon.blogspot.com/
Ahoy!
( I really should crop out that port-a-pottie.)
As you may know, I am training this year with Team in Training to complete America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride, a 100 mile ride around Lake Tahoe, and to raise at least $3500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
The bike ride is June 7, 2015 and I'm excited to get back out on my bike after a hiatus. If you're interested in joining me, let me know!
I am even more excited to be able to raise funds and support LLS, an organization that truly make a difference in the lives of blood cancer patients and their families. Not only do they fund research towards finding a cure, they also provide amazing services to patients and their families.
If you' like to learn more about blood cancers, read on below. If you've read enough and are ready to support LLS, just fill out the handy form on this page. All donations are tax-deductible. If you would like to pay by check, just shoot me an email at mcheung at yahoo dot com, and I'll give you the details. And finally, if your company does corporate matching for charity donations, please let me know. I'm happy to help you with any paper work.
If you need suggestions for donation amounts, try these nuggets:
Again, I really appreciate your support. If you'd like to keep up with my training, feel free to check out my training blog: http://melathalon.blogspot.com/
Many thanks and much love,
Melissa
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In 1964, a child's chance of surviving Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, the most common form of childhood leukemia, was 3%. Today, 90% what percentage of children survive. That's some great news. The less great news is that for other forms of blood cancer, the survival rates are around 45%. Approximately every 10 minutes, someone in the US dies from a blood cancer. This statistic represents nearly 152 people each day or more than six people every hour.
What can I do to help?
Financial support is a great way to help. You can do that by donating to my fundraising page here. You can can also volunteer your time, either with Team in Training, or directly with LLS. They run a number of programs beyond Team in Training. If you would like to volunteer with Team in Training, just let me know. We always need some hands at various events or trainings.
Daisy 2N5Uand Herb C... | $1,000.00 |
Galen Wan Ming Leung... | $250.00 |
Christine Kwan | $250.00 |
Cathy Cheng | $250.00 |
Janet Wu&Adams ... | $250.00 |
Rebecca Smyth | $150.00 |
Kimery Leong & A... | $100.00 |
John Berzansky | $100.00 |
Sam Schuchat | $100.00 |
Frederick Kern | $100.00 |
Mabel and Ken Lai | $100.00 |
Justin Levitt | $100.00 |
Sherri, AT and Andre... | $100.00 |
Sherri Howe | $50.00 |
Darrell Wong | $50.00 |
Kristie Richardson W... | $50.00 |
Brian Williams | $50.00 |
joshua polsky | $50.00 |
Amy Greenhouse | $50.00 |
Claire Alt | $50.00 |
Elizabeth Wagner | $47.66 |
Hiromi Racanelli | $40.00 |
todd elliott | $25.00 |
Anonymous | $25.00 |
Abigail Davidian | $20.00 |
Jenny Kolcun |
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For assistance, contact us by email, or call us at 888-LLS-7177
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is a global leader in the fight against cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all monetary donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by tax laws. Please check with your financial advisor if you have more questions.