Dear Friend: I’ve been dreading the day for eleven years that I write you a fundraising letter in memory of my father instead of in honor of him. As most of you already know, my father, Ed Sponseller, passed away this April after an eleven year battle with a rare, incurable blood cancer called mantle cell lymphoma.
As you also likely know, my dad was an avid runner, completing nearly forty marathons and hundreds of other road races. The 1983 Marine Corps Marathon was his first.
1983 Marine Corps Marathon: Staring into the unknown of his first 26.2 mile race.
He inspired many to take up running and fitness in general, especially as he continued his workouts (mostly at the Chambersburg YMCA) during his eleven year fight. When he was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in 2006, the life expectancy was 2-5 years. My family strongly believes that Ed was able to “Live Strong” (physically and emotionally) for those 11 scary years because of his fitness as well as the advances in treatment and support that are funded by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As a result, he was able to travel the world with my mother and welcome three more grandchildren.
I am again joining forces with Team In Training (TNT), who as a group, trains for endurance races across the world while raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. To date, they have raised over $1.4B for LLS! In addition to continually funding research for cures and new treatments, LLS provides informational and emotional support for patients and their loved ones. The Society also provides financial support for those with no or limited healthcare insurance. I cannot stress enough the great work and value of both these organizations.
My first fundraising marathon with TNT was The 2006 Maine Marathon – the year my father was diagnosed. I did Maine again with TNT in 2011 and then The Boston Marathon in 2014, following the tragic 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. In total, I have raised over $30,000 for LLS thanks to the support of friends like you.
Team Sponseller after the 2006 Maine Marathon. My wife Amy also raised money and ran the Maine Half Marathon. Shortly after a week’s worth of chemotherapy at John Hopkins, Ed was healthy enough to run the last two miles of both our races.
This time I have “teamed up” to run the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC, on October 22nd. The significance of this marathon isn’t just because it was Ed’s first marathon – it was also my first in 1995 when my brother Todd and I ran the race, along with our dad, as a qualifier for the 100th anniversary of The Boston Marathon in 1996.
Todd, Steve, and Ed Sponseller after the 1995 Marine Corps Marathon. Ed was such a positive influence on his boys in many ways over the years. Lucky sons...
This TNT experience will surely be my most emotional one. I want to “blow out” my previous fundraising numbers and am asking you once again for your support. Receiving your donations provides the inspiration for my training, which proves to be ever more challenging with age and parental responsibilities.
To pay via credit card, please select the "Donate Now" button on the right of this webpage. If you prefer to pay via check, you can send a check to my address below, made out to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. You will receive an electronic receipt either way for tax purposes (please provide your email address if mailing a check).
I humbly thank you in advance for your continued support.
Stephen Sponseller
53 Gunstock Rd
Scarborough, ME 04074
steve_sponseller@yahoo.com
207-838-3688
Zach Elliott | |
Michael Orsini | |
The Arbetters | |
The Pineapple Group | |
Kepware, Inc. | |
Tom Mills | |
Leslie Paulson | |
Amy West | |
Kepware Technologies... | |
The Tierneys | |
Anne Thomas and Ryan... | |
PTC Employee Match | |
Ferree LeFevre | |
Megan (Shilling) Rap... | |
Marlene Ausherman | |
James Whitelock | |
Margaret Newman | |
Carole Connor | |
Helen Moe | |
Hugh Jones | |
Grant Kistler | |
Craig Nitterhouse | |
Lisa Strite | |
McBee Family | |
Adam Wilson | |
Matt Konetschni | |
Robert Duran | |
Liem Le | |
Kristin and Aaron Mi... | |
Coutts Bros Inc | |
George Barnes | |
Christine R. Butler | |
Russell Ford | |
Tory Technologies, I... | |
Strynadka Adam | |
Michael DeMasie | |
Dan Turner | |
Sam Cessna | |
Matter | |
Jenny Kistler | |
George and Leslie Ha... | |
Ann Rea | |
Kelly Hassett - MedC... | |
Anna Furr | |
Lynne Peters | |
Derek & Patricia... | |
Patricia Bryan | |
The Ferrie Family | |
James Probst | |
Brian Mcnew | |
Rosalyn Ewan | |
Regina Mancuso | |
Cynthia Keller | |
Marie Wolson | |
Ralph Heilig | |
Michael Ramsey | |
Thomas Carroll | |
Anita Buchanan | |
Brenda Black | |
Anthony Colangelo | |
Sandra Lewis | |
Lori Kate Hodgson | |
bonnie sponseller | |
Michael Mirray | |
Stephanie Ferrie | |
Hallie Knable Goldsc... | |
William Grdanski | |
The Kueck Family | |
Erik and Faye Maier | |
Ben Hardy | |
Torey Penrod-Cambra | |
Ethan Olsen | |
Laura Proctor | |
Noah Perlut | |
Russel Treat | |
Anonymous | |
Beth Rovnak | |
Andrew Timm | |
Norland Pub | |
Deborah Hallock | |
Clinton Chapman | |
Linda Paar | |
Jan Maletzke | |
Polisner family | |
Jennifer Polisner | |
Lawrence Johnston | |
Linda Baird | |
Kathy Kroepil | |
Diane Kirkpatrick | |
Jacqueline Wolfe | |
Nancy Kistler | |
Elaine Spencer | |
James Frey | |
Justin Towle | |
Carole Patrikakos | |
April Laverriere | |
Tucker Emerson | |
Brian Delacruz | |
Valerie Harr | |
Simon Rucker | |
Ronald Maslanik | |
Rodney Crawford | |
The Sperry Family | |
Susy Sponseller | |
Farren Family | |
Brett Austin | |
Michael Sauter | |
Janet and Gary Graha... | |
John and Sue Ausherm... | |
Beth and Paul Luka | |
Bobbie Sponseller | |
Tim & Jen Graham... | |
Kristen Powell | |
Josh & Amy Moore... | |
Jim & Kathy Dick... | |
Scott Furr | |
Timothy Shively Spon... | |
Cynthia Wolf | |
Patricia Schweitzer | |
Tom and Dot Hill | |
James and Bonnie Pri... | |
Charles and Kathryn ... | |
David Landis | |
Sam and Marilyn Smal... | |
Todd & Laura Spo... | |
Chris Meier | |
Jason Oney | |
Dana Maletzke | |
Dan Hodge | |
Andy & Dani Maso... | |
Kara and David Addis... | |
Sarah Blanchette | |
Bob Rouleau | |
Polisner Family | |
STEVE BODNER | |
Dave and Weesa Etter... | |
Daniel Wilson | |
Patrick Gilligan | |
Connie Evans | |
Joel Grandin | |
Dick and Mary Mason | |
Amy Moore | |
Sarah Keller | |
Randal and Charlene ... | |
Richard Boardman | |
Richard and Barbera ... | |
Jeanne Friedman | |
Kirk and Patricia St... | |
Christopher and Barb... | |
Phyllis and Bill Whi... | |
George Tjiattas | |
Dennis and Mary Anne... | |
Sue & Alan Kohle... | |
Jason Brown | |
Sarah Keller | |
Carrie Cowper | |
Krissy, Dani and Sno... | |
Judy and Don Murphy | |
The Tierneys | |
Scott McCarley | |
Philip Bard | |
Steven Marchessault | |
Charsky Family | |
Robert Murray | |
Alex Herbert | |
Emmett Moore | |
Robert Watson | |
Kristen Wojahn | |
Lindsay and Melinda ... | |
Eric Zimmerman | |
Missy Deus | |
Adam Kennedy | |
Marcie Booth | |
Sarah Marx | |
Kevin Stover | |
Michael Roy | |
Connie Stenger | |
Ruth and James Metz | |
William and Margaret... | |
Nicole Brookens | |
Michelle and Ian Gra... | |
Doug and Jess Shatze... | |
Steve Datish | |
Jenna Smith | |
Thomas Frobase | |
vishal prakash | |
The Shaw Family | |
Mike | |
Adam Hill | |
A Norcross | |
Abby Eon | |
Carolyn Baron | |
Rachel McDonnell | |
Candace & Joel | |
Sam Elsner | |
walt and lucy konets... | |
steve and michelle c... | |
Kate Carpenter | |
Bob and Marge Scholl... | |
Christopher McCauley... | |
Sarah Marxhausen | |
Steve Lim |
Do you have technical issues or questions about our website?
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.