-
My Fundraising Page
Oct 12, 2009 by Don Armstrong
-
Racing to Save Lives
RACING 10 IN 2010
TO SAVE LIVES
A Year of Thanks and Celebration
1 Man. A Survivor.
10 Marathons. His Mission. Cure Blood Cancers.
______________________________________
Dear Friend,
I did not think for a minute that I would eventually be one of the estimated 912,938 individuals in the U.S. living with, or in remission from leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma. It is important that you know how blood cancer has affected my life. My name is Don Armstrong. I am 53 years old and live in Fort Worth, Texas.
I have been on an extraordinary, inspiring journey the past four years. Before I begin story, here are some overwhelming blood cancer statistics:
Every 4 minutes someone new is diagnosed with blood cancer.
An estimated 139,860 individuals in the United States were diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2009. That is 9.5% of the 1,479,350 new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States this year.
Every 10 minutes someone loses their fight with these cancers.
Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma caused the death of an estimated 53,240 individuals this year. These blood cancers will account for approximately 9.5% of the deaths from cancer based on the estimated 562,340 total cancer related deaths.
These numbers are alarming and staggering!
I am compelled to do everything that I can to reduce the incidence of blood cancers now and to ultimately find the cure for these insidious diseases.
2010 is the year to Make A Difference!
_______________________________________
My journey began with the surprising diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia or AML on September 14, 2005. Needless to say, I was shocked, overwhelmed and frightened with this reality. This could not be happening to me. I was young, my health was excellent and I was very active.
Like so many individuals that are diagnosed with a blood cancer, there were signs and symptoms of my illness but they only made sense after my diagnosis. These diseases are very indiscriminate in whom they touch and could happen to any of us!
I was filled with tremendous uncertainty as I faced my first hospital stay which started the day following my diagnosis. There were so many first time experiences affecting me, and of course, there was the chemo. My first round of chemo was successful!!! However, for my future protection, my doctor and I determined that I needed a stem cell transplant to eliminate any future reoccurrence of leukemia. I had four additional rounds of chemo, and most importantly, on May 12, 2006, 8 months after my diagnosis, I was blessed with a stem cell transplant and a new start at life!
My doctor at Baylor Medical Center Dallas, allowed me to start working out on September 12, 2006. This was significant because it gave me back an important part of my life. February 23, 2007 I ran my first post stem cell transplant marathon in Fort Worth, Texas. Shortly after this marathon I found the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training , and I signed up for the 2007 San Diego Marathon. The event was an incredible experience for me and set me on a path that has included four additional marathons with TNT; 2007 Dublin Marathon, 2008 San Antonio Marathon, 2009 Rome Marathon and the 2009 San Antonio Marathon.
October 2010 will mark my fifth year in remission from leukemia. This is a significant achievement for a survivor and one that I want to CELEBRATE!!! So, here is my plan.
Run five marathons and five half marathons with Team In Training starting in January 2010 and finishing in December 2010. In the process of running these marathons I will raise $500,000 to present to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This is a lofty goal but with your support very doable. The benefits of this plan are four fold:
- Raise Public Awareness of Blood Cancers
- Raise Dollars to Fund Vital Cancer Research
- Support Patient Services Programs
- Support Efforts to Find the Ultimate Cure for Blood Cancer
I would not wish my cancer on anyone, but I sure wish that you and the whole world could know what I have gained on my journey. In the process I discovered and confirmed some useful and precious life lessons. It is my heart's desire to make a significant contribution to the amazing programs already in place at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in 2010. Please join me as my journey continues and help me make my 2010 goals a reality.
Thank you for your support,
Don Armstrong
Please make a donation to support my participation in Team In Training and help advance LLS's mission.
I hope you will visit my web site often.
Be sure to check back frequently to see my progress. Thanks for your
support!
Don Armstrong's Event Schedule:
2010 Marathon Events
January 10th - Walt Disney World Marathon Orlando, Florida
February 27th - Cowtown Half Marathon Fort Worth, Texas
March 21st - Atlanta Half Marathon Atlanta, Georgia
April 11th - Paris Marathon Paris, France
June 6th - San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon San Diego, California
June 27th - Seattle Rock n Roll Half Marathon Seattle, Washington
August 1st - Chicago Rock n Roll Half Marathon Chicago, Illinois
October 18th - Nike Marathon San Francisco, California
November 6th - New York City Marathon New York City, New York
December 12th - White Rock Half Marathon Dallas, Texas
My Fundraising Page
Supporter's Comments
My Fundraising Total
Raised: $0.00 | Goal: $500,000.00
0
%
Make a Donation
We are sorry donations are no longer being accepted for this participant for this event.
My Thanks To
| Jim Hogan | $1000.00 |
| Timothy Durst | $1000.00 |
| Select Energu Services | $1000.00 |
| Frances Broussard | $1000.00 |
| Stephen Barley | $500.00 |
| Cherille O'Connor | $500.00 |
| Marty Leonard | $500.00 |
| Sheila Sutton | $250.00 |
| SportsCare USA, Inc. Spor... | $250.00 |
| Susan Farris | $250.00 |
| Susan Bydlon | $250.00 |
| David Hadden | $200.00 |
| Carie Harter | $100.00 |
| Frank Payne | $100.00 |
| Anonymous | $100.00 |
| Jorjan Ruonavar | $100.00 |
| Starcom (Maria's team) | $100.00 |
| Robert Engelking | $100.00 |
| Craig & Susan Overcash | $100.00 |
| alice engelking | $100.00 |
| Katharine Dungan | $100.00 |
| Jeanne Lamb | $100.00 |
| MIKE ENGELKING | $100.00 |
| David Chalmers | $100.00 |
| Melody Fee | $100.00 |
| Dawn Ladny | $100.00 |
| Arborlawn Open Door Class | $100.00 |
| Michael & Marty Barker | $100.00 |
| Abby & John Flack (aka Te... | $100.00 |
| Jonathon Scott | $100.00 |
| maria capua | $100.00 |
| Hal Jespersen | $100.00 |
| Jeff Bine | $100.00 |
| Stacey & Doug Campbell | $100.00 |
| Bill Branum | $100.00 |
| Jeff Olyniec | $100.00 |
| Nunzio DiChristopher | $100.00 |
| james schumacher | $100.00 |
| Melissa Sharp | $100.00 |
| Kathleen Sassolino | $75.00 |
| Carlo Capua and Rachael C... | $50.00 |
| Mary E. Stendebach | $50.00 |
| Thomas Weeks | $50.00 |
| Kathy Barnhill | $50.00 |
| isabelle bosco | $50.00 |
| Clarence Wiggins | $50.00 |
| Dan & Chansey Pullen | $50.00 |
| Karen Vaughan | $50.00 |
| Anonymous | $50.00 |
| Paula & Tracy Snead | $50.00 |
| Erin Eason | $50.00 |
| Jeanne Parrella | $50.00 |
| Annie Leger | $50.00 |
| Crystal Rodarte | $50.00 |
| Regina Hughes | $50.00 |
| Raylene Bestel | $50.00 |
| Steve Wolfard | $50.00 |
| Julie Wheeler | $50.00 |
| Brittni Brown | $50.00 |
| Dan Kneip | $50.00 |
| Bernie Meave | $50.00 |
| Don Armstrong | $50.00 |
| Julie & Vince McCall | $40.00 |
| Sondie and Randy Stogsdil... | $30.00 |
| Oscar Saenz | $30.00 |
| lyndsey cwikla | $27.00 |
| Kathleen Fister | $25.00 |
| Ira Lunsk | $25.00 |
| angie bergmann | $25.00 |
| Patti Todd | $25.00 |
| Rick Heard | $25.00 |
| Lyn Kelly | $25.00 |
| Dianna Fuller | $25.00 |
| Araceli Desmarais | $25.00 |
| Maria Henkel Minter | $25.00 |
| Kevin Long | $22.00 |
| Kevin Long | $22.00 |
| Pat C. | $20.00 |
| ROBIN BARNES | $20.00 |
| Amy Reuscher | $15.00 |
| Deborah Allen | $10.00 |
| Anonymous | $5.00 |
| Brooke Sigler | $1.00 |
| Krisleigh Hoermann | $1.00 |
| Kerri Fulks | $1.00 |
| The Bobowskis | |
| The M's and L | |
| Mary Liebman | |
| Matthew Florence | |
| Lea Haubelt | |
| Becky Caldwell | |
| Lawrence Bittok |
Do you have technical issues or questions about our website?
For assistance, contact us by email , submit a support request
or call us at 888-LLS-7177
Lawrence Bittok
Tue Feb 23 04:05:44 EST 2010
Dan Kneip
Thu Feb 25 03:54:34 EST 2010
Brittni Brown
Wed Mar 03 09:08:19 EST 2010
Maria Henkel Minter
Wed Mar 03 09:51:49 EST 2010
Stacey & Doug Campbell
Thu Mar 04 08:38:19 EST 2010
Hal Jespersen
Sat Mar 20 08:57:44 EDT 2010
Abby & John Flack (aka Team Flack)
Mon Mar 29 01:48:49 EDT 2010
Patti Todd
Thu Apr 08 12:45:02 EDT 2010
Mary Liebman
Fri Apr 09 10:51:10 EDT 2010
Erin Eason
Sat Apr 10 10:18:31 EDT 2010
David Chalmers
Fri Apr 23 05:05:53 EDT 2010
Ira Lunsk
Sun Apr 25 08:23:21 EDT 2010
Pat C.
Sun Apr 25 02:47:30 EDT 2010
Kathleen Fister
Mon Apr 26 11:20:54 EDT 2010
Kevin Long
Wed Apr 28 07:28:33 EDT 2010
Starcom (Maria's team)
Fri May 21 03:32:13 EDT 2010
Mary E. Stendebach
Mon May 24 10:15:59 EDT 2010
Sondie and Randy Stogsdill
Mon May 24 04:09:12 EDT 2010
Kathleen Sassolino
Thu May 27 03:07:03 EDT 2010
Anonymous
Wed Jun 02 12:50:53 EDT 2010
Julie & Vince McCall
Wed Jun 02 05:30:21 EDT 2010
Carie Harter
Sun Jun 06 12:05:32 EDT 2010