Hello friends, this week my fundraising goal was reached, and the Foundation which has been so supportive and generous put me over the top, over $100,000 in donations! Pretty amazing(!) and of course my heartfelt thanks go out to all of the over 100 donors who contributed. Looking back over the goals that I set for the project, I feel very blessed that everything that I envisioned has come to pass - by the grace of God - and to Him be the glory. I just spent a week in Houston last week and while there are still a few tests that are outstanding, the main results so far look great. So what's next? I think it will involve wheels more than feet. Stay tuned.....and THANK YOU again and again!!
Details on my trip to Houston and the JMT journey are at
On Top of Mt Whitney with Mike Nix, 9-5-2013
*****UPDATE*****
Success!! I completed the John Muir Trail by topping Mount Whitney, 14,508 feet, on September 5th. I walked out of the wilderness two days later, after backpacking over 255 miles in 26 days. My feet are pretty beat up, but other than that, I am feeling great. I have updated my blog with "Chapter 1" of the trip. Again thanks to everyone who has donated/prayed/provided encouragement. The fund raising will continue for a month or so, so feel free to contribute to the life saving work of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
A HUGE THANK YOU!! to all of you who have donated!! We are over 100 donors now - with over $70,000 donated as you can see!!! Don't forget that our anonymous charitable foundation continues to MATCH all gifts up to $100,000, so your gift will be doubled! - there's still plenty of time to donate, but why wait?? Your donation will go to work immediately to help save lives! Thank you again for your generosity and support. To God be the Glory! Dan
*****UPDATE*****
Welcome to my Team In Training / John Muir Trail home page!
Click here for the latest training and fundraising activity updates!
I have a dream to become the first stem-cell transplant recipient to hike the full John Muir Trail, and to do so for four purposes:
On September 23, 2011, my doctors told me that in addition to the aggressive form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that I had been battling for 16 months, I had developed a CLL mutation that spawned an aggressive B-cell lymphoma, a rare condition called a Richter's Transformation. I didn't look up the survivability statistics, but placed my trust in my Lord and my doctors - Michael J. Keating and Chitra Hosing of the MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Alan Kritz of the Cancer Centers of North Carolina.
After three rounds of intensive and effective chemotherapy, I received what we all hoped and prayed would be a life-saving stem cell transplant (SCT, also known as a bone marrow transplant, BMT) using my sister Laure Rooker McKenna's donated cells. Just 4 months later, in April of this year, I was declared cancer-free - against the odds - it was a miracle of faith and medicine! So far my recovery has been remarkable, thank God, and if I continue to be blessed with good health, I plan to hike the 212 miles of the John Muir Trail, and perhaps to be the first transplant patient - and the first double-survivor of both leukemia and lymphoma - to do so. The hike is from August 12th to September 8th, 2013.
I am THRILLED to announce this officially today, December 21, which is the 1-year anniversary of my transplant. I'm also thrilled to announce that I have a hiking partner, Michael Nix, who will be with me the entire way - from training, which starts this coming Friday - to the summit of Mount Whitney. I have two other friends who are also considering joining in the hike. Mike's fundraising page is at:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/nc/frndstnt13/mnixwc
Please - you can help me in the fight for cures - to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and join in the battle for a cure. There are so many exciting and promising new treatments today that many doctors and researchers are confident that a cure is within reach. Your contribution in recognition of my quest will help save lives.
I am forming a support team, the core of which will be myself and Mike Nix, my dad, Harry Rooker, my sisters, Laure and Jill, and my buddy-for-life Jeff Williams. If you would like to join my team, let me know. Today I kicked off the fund-raising with a donation of $2500. Please know that every gift is important, no matter the size.
Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures.
Foundation Match | |
Foundation Match | |
Foundation Match | |
Foundation Match | |
Foundation Match | |
Foundation Match | |
Foundation Match | |
Yonglin Healthcare F... | |
Foundation Match | |
Foundation Match | |
Foundation Match | |
Foundation Match | |
Foundation Match | |
Douglas Adams | |
Jonathan Scoggins | |
Eddie Curran | |
Gerard Schult | |
Garret Roche | |
Matthew Duffy | |
David Murray | |
Laureen Rooker McKen... | |
Sandra Lawton | |
Gene Byrne | |
Martin Esser | |
Lisa Wetzel | |
Jon Epperson | |
Joan and Mike Krenik... | |
Anthony Szatkowski | |
leah coleman | |
Kathleen Fuller | |
Ric & Jen Serena... | |
B P O Does | |
Anonymous | |
Jason Fitzpatrick | |
R Fallon | |
Dave Johnson | |
Michael Vallenari | |
Marlene Dorfman | |
Jason Arvanites | |
leah colema | |
Alex Zhong | |
Tyson Vallenari | |
Ludo | |
Eddy Tsang - $10,000... | |
Mike Ray | |
Daniel Rooker | |
william palmer | |
Tom Linton | |
John Paterson | |
Harry and Betty Rook... | |
Fran OSullivan | |
Linda Corrao | |
Radu Atri | |
bob murphy | |
Donald and Shirley S... | |
Roger Dunnavan | |
Phil and Sue Carter | |
Laurie Williams | |
Dan Lofaro | |
Keith McElrath | |
Jim Skinner | |
Dureid Hilal | |
Dan and Rebecca Smit... | |
Donnie Haye | |
Ernie Fernandez | |
Kevin Beichner | |
Rogovin/Ferrell Fami... | |
Bill Maton | |
Rob Allan | |
Neil McLachlan | |
Sheri Baird | |
Jill Roberts | |
Gretchen Hargis | |
Jeff and JoEllen Bog... | |
Marilyn Kenny | |
Patrick Gaynor | |
Patrice & Mike C... | |
Mark Evancho | |
Laurie Noble | |
Jeffrey Mohr | |
Ken and Cindy Hollan... | |
Tommy Garnett | |
Linda Cantwell | |
Bob Lambert | |
Anne Elward | |
Rebecca Ferrell | |
Jill DiCicco and Fam... | |
Siew Cheng Lee | |
Renee Ure | |
Edward Chin | |
ron maier | |
clay broussard | |
The Cox Family | |
Barbara Reed | |
Katherine Eason | |
Vaun and Bob | |
Jamie Hewitt | |
Phillip Rooker | |
Jim & Chris Scot... | |
Gary Wingler | |
Greg Keller | |
David Kroeber | |
Frank Couch | |
Mike Garrett | |
Mrs. DiCicco's 2nd g... | |
Cynthia Asoka | |
Shawn & Cindi W... | |
Francine Fiano | |
Kristine Colbert | |
Mary Jo Craft | |
Tiffany Armstrong | |
Carol K | |
Francine Fiano | |
Tom Grates | |
Dave and Betty Gilha... | |
Susan & Bill Fon... | |
Walter Wieners | |
Jennifer Coleman | |
Anish Verma | |
Gideon and Kristin ... | |
Michael Fino | |
Cheri Morreale | |
steve richman | |
Joyce Pfirman | |
Chris Goan |
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.