Even A Dollar Made A Huge Difference Because It Would Help Them Battled Blood Cancers!!

Dear families, friends and colleagues,

It was October 21, 2011, I woke up in the morning and felt that 10 months had passed by me and I have not been actively involved in any causes as much as I wanted to. So, that very same morning, which happens to be my birthday, I registered with Team In Training again and re-committed myself to raise fund for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS), a non-for-profit organization.

LLS's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Seriously, every 4 minutes one person is diagnosed with blood cancer and every 10 minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer, making it the 6th most common death in men and 7th most common death in women!!

My training coaches and 40 other team mates shared similar purpose.... to raise funds to help stop blood cancers from taking more lives. You can help us by making a donation.

To give you a sense of what your donation will made to so many people's lives, in 2001, with proceeds from donations from people just like you, LLS successfully introduced "Gleevec©", an alternative theraphy for treating Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. With this single breakthough 4,000 lives were saved. LLS together with Team In Training are commited to wipe out blood cancer, once and for all.

In 2009, through LLS's signature event, Nike Women's Marathon, LLS raised over $14M to fund this cause. Yes!! It's not a typo - $14M in ONE event! Which is incredible!!!! =) This all comes from individual donations, just like this page.

This time, I'll be training for the Lavaman Triathlon in Maui, in memory of Hank Brock, who was a TNT honoree. Hanks suffered from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and had passed away in 2010. :(

I wanted to share with you Hank's Last Inspirational Note :

"My journey to Wildflower [triahtlon] had come and gone and it was an incredible experience I will treasure the rest of my life. At the present time the thought of a follow up at Wildflower next year looks doubtful. If I do get my hip replaced the doctor told me I would still be able to swim, bike and walk. Why, I could even do a hundred mile century ride if I wanted to.

Thinking about the journey, when I was training hard, people had asked me why I would put my body through such stress. After much thought, I realized the reason why was because I could. Since I have been diagnosed with Leukemia my life changed and everyday has become so much more special and enriched. I have lost many friends to various forms of cancer and other causes, and the thought of doing a triathlon or experiencing any part of life is no longer an option for them.

When I started training my idea was that I had better practice for the triathlon this year, seeing that no one could say what next year would bring and if I would still be able to compete. It’s funny, because I thought the reason it might not be possible would be that the Leukemia came back and I could be fighting for my life. Instead, an old accident seems to be the culprit which is something I never imagined.

Throughout life we are continuously given experiences and challenges. Whether we react positively or in the negative, it is up to us to decide. Having Leukemia has been an amazing experience and has given me the opportunity to make a difference and help others.

Talking with people about the triathlon, some would say, “Oh, I can ride a bike and run, but I couldn’t do the swim.”

My response was. “What a great opportunity to overcome something you can’t do.”

I hope this journal has given you the idea that if a tall skinny guy with a bad hip can train, compete and finish a triathlon, you too can take on a challenge to do something you thought was beyond your reach. It doesn’t matter if it is a new career, a new sport or a something you’ve always wanted to do. You owe it to yourself because you can. So, make the choice to start today, because it will change your life forever.

T-Hank-s"

I am touched when this was read out loud to us. Hanks might not be around us, but his spirit, strength and inspirational words of encouragement will stay with me.

Your donation is 100% tax-deductible and a minimum of 75% of your donation (which is relatively high as compared to industry average) will go directly to support the mission to finding a cure for blood cancer. This will ensure your donation goes a long way.

Click here or the "Donate Now" button on the right side of this page to join me and countless others to wipe out blood cancer once and for all.

Wishing you the very best.

Thanks for your support and generousity,

Kian

PS: Frankly, not everyone is in the position to give, for example those who are suffering from blood cancer will not be able to give. But together as a community, we can make a difference. Donate before December 31, 2011 to support Kian in the fundraising for LLS!

PPS: Please feel free to forward this link to your families and friends to spread the words.