Friends,

I've started my 2011 campaign to combat blood cancers and I want to ask for your support in the form of a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. To donate, please click the "donate now" button on my website.

Where is this coming from? Well, I started my third year with Team in Training on Saturday, May 14 with the focus on two goals, which include:

• Raising awareness about blood cancers such as Leukemia and Lymphoma; and
• Raising more than $2,000 to support cancer research and patient services while training to complete my third Olympic-distance triathlon with Team in Training

One MILLION people are living with, or are in remission from a blood cancer because of support from friends, family, doctors, and donors like you.

Raising Awareness

Blood cancers are diseases that can affect the bone marrow, the blood cells, the lymph nodes and other parts of the lymphatic system.

One person is diagnosed with a blood cancer every four minutes in the United States. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society estimated 137,260 people were diagnosed in 2010.

Ten percent of all new cancer cases in the United States are blood cancers

Six people lose their battle with cancer every hour. Blood cancers account for ten percent of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.

Simply put, these cancers are relentlessly nasty and must be cured!

Raising Money for Charity

I’m looking to kick off my fundraising campaign by asking for help from 60 friends. Will you help me by clicking donate on this page?

I know money is tight for many of us; however, a contribution of $25 will make a big difference for individuals in need of information, treatment and research dollars to find a cure. If you’re willing and able to donate more, I would be very grateful.

Best Regards,

Matt

Nations Tri with my mentor, Rich Hewitt

Nations Tri 2010 with friends from my 2010 Philly Tri Team