Apr 09, 2015
Dear Friends,
If you know us, you know we are not in our comfort zone when it comes to asking anyone for anything, not to mention we are blessed and are in need of nothing. It pains us to do this but … Here comes the pitch!
Like many of you, we have grieved for friends who have lost a child to Leukemia, the number one disease killer of children. 20 years ago we decided to take the gifts that we have been given and use them to help in a way that we could. We worked with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and helped develop “Team In Training”, a fundraising program that we gave our time to for 12 years, coaching participants from the couch to Finish line of a marathon while helping them raise funds and save lives. Although we stepped back as active coaches, we have continued to make donations and raise money by adding charitable components to the many events our company produces.
This year, the Team In Training program celebrates its 20th year and we have stepped back in as honorary coaches with a team goal of raising $100,000 for research. Kathy and I have set a personal goal to raise $10,000 of the team goal. All the money will stay right here in Michigan, funding grants for the greatest minds in science and medicine today. Currently, there are 14 researchers being funded at U of M Ann Arbor by LLS. Just last week, one of the therapies developed through this research received a licensing agreement with a new biotech company. It is this type of work that is getting new and promising therapies to patients more quickly.
This clip will give you the idea of what this money can do when you give it to an out of the box, nerdy bunch of geniuses. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5IrHV8tLCU
A great part of coming back to the program is seeing the kids we watch battle cancer when they were young now going into young adulthood, happy and healthy. We have included a picture here of four of the kids all grown up!
We’ll make it easy for you, we will put in the time coaching, you just click and donate! (we will also kick in $2,000 personally to get it started)
Thank you for your time, consideration and your friendship,
Kathy and Randy
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.