Life's too short to put limits on your abilities.

To read about my ongoing journey to Ironman Louisville 2010, please visit:

http://ironmaria.blogspot.com

I dedicate this journey to all those who've dared to push their limits, exceed their own expectations and have become true heroes in the eyes of people like me -- an underdog & total novice swimmer / cyclist, now with aspirations of becoming an Ironwoman. This one's for you.

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*GIFT MATCHING: Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions made by their employees. If your company has a gift matching program, please let me know ~ and we can multiply YOUR donation to the cause!

*CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS: Corporate donations provide a great boost in our fundraising efforts and gives YOU, my sponsor, a way to support a worthy cause AND gain publicity at the same time. There are many levels of sponsorship, from $2,500 to $25,000. Each level has its own benefits for the company. Please let me know if you would be interested in this option, and I would be happy to forward you more information.

Thank you for your unending support, motivation and encouragement in my efforts to reach the finish line and fight for those who can't. With your help, I know we'll find a cure.

GO TEAM!

MCA

Ironman Louisville 2010 - FUTURE

Nike Women's Marathon 2009 - FINISHER

Maratona di Roma 2009 - FINISHER

Kaiser Permanente 1/2 Marathon 2009 - FINISHER

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How exactly do your dollars HELP?

$1000 supports one week’s salary for a medical researcher at UCSF, Stanford, or Berkeley who may discover key information to developing curative treatments for blood cancers.

$500 provides a blood cancer patient with financial assistance for one year to help with transportation and co-pays

$500 allows 10 patients to log on to a webcast and hear the latest information in treatment for their disease.

$200 funds one Family Support Group meeting of 9-15 participants; the SF Bay Area chapter has 9 monthly support group meetings.

$150 allows 5 patients to make a First Connection with a trained peer volunteer.

$100 provides 3 patients access to an information teleconference.

$75 is the average cost of tissue typing to become a bone marrow donor.

$50 is the cost of a CT scan

$40 is the cost of sending a comprehensive packet of information for children with cancer.

$35 pays for transportation expenses for a patient living in Northern California’s most rural areas to treatment at a comprehensive cancer center.

$25 covers a single prescription co-payment.

$5 is the cost of sending a newly diagnosed patient information about support and their disease.