Racing to Save Lives

Blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma affect hundreds of thousands of people across the United States and more around the world. In the US alone, an estimated 245,225 people are living with, or are in remission from, leukemia. An estimated 44,790 new cases of leukemia were be diagnosed in the United States in 2009.

Those are scary numbers, but there is something we can do. Research supported by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has led directly to new treatments and possible cures for blood cancers. Since the 1970s, huge strides have been made, and survival rates have climbed dramatically. But there's much more left to be done.

To help raise money to continue the LLS mission, I'm training to ride in the Seagull Century as a member of the LLS Team In Training program. Riding a hundred miles is only a tiny fraction of the race run by all the people who are battling blood cancers. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!

In Memory of Meghan McAneny

I'm especially riding in memory of my cousin Meghan McAneny, who passed away late last year after a long-running battle with complications from her treatment for aplastic anemia – a blood disease similar to leukemia

Meghan was diagnosed with her disease while she was still in high school. She underwent a successful bone marrow transplant but complications from the surgery resulted in a major brain injury that left her with severe memory and motor control challenges, as well as heart and lung damage.

She overcame these challenges for many years, graduating from high school, and then college, and even starting graduate school. Throughout these years, her enthusiasm and her faith served as examples to others. She was an inspiration in her church and in her life. And she continues to inspire us after she is gone.

What can you do?

Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission. I will pay the costs of the event itself; every dollar you give will go directly to support the Society and its projects.

Thank you!