This one's for Jake!!

I began working for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in October of 2007. In my three years as the Campaign Manager of Special Events, I have met people whose stories of struggle and hope have encouraged me to take on challenges I never would have thought possible. Completing two half-marathons as part of LLS’s Team in Training provided me the opportunity to give back to an organization that has granted me an entirely new perspective on the human spirit and its ability to endure and overcome any obstacle. I have worked with countless patients and loved ones of those lost whose determination to work tirelessly for a cure inspired me every step of those 13.1 miles. And then I met Jake…

As part of my official duties for LLS, I manage a fundraising campaign that focuses on two local children who have battled leukemia. In 2009, Jake was one of those children. This 8-year-old little boy captured my heart from the very second I laid eyes on him. I knew in that moment that I would never stop raising money for LLS until there was a cure and Jake had no chance of a relapse. Through my daily, often hourly, communication with his mother Paula, I didn’t just learn about Jake’s three years of chemotherapy, I got a glimpse into the life of a woman who feared the death of her child. The two of them have remained my greatest source of inspiration for my work at LLS. I have received countless messages of encouragement, gratitude and strength from Paula, but I believe this excerpt from one of her emails says it best:

“I don’t like to talk about what it is we went through with Jake, but I can not express to you enough the fear that lingers in my heart that I still might one day lose my little boy. It is the most sickening feeling you could ever imagine. So on those days when you are feeling fed up or beaten down by your job, please remember that no matter how small the effort, every single thing you do is still leading us one step closer to better days ahead for all those affected by blood cancer. Without you and everyone over at your office and all the hard work you guys do, we’d fall behind. You know as well as I do, that we cannot afford to fall behind in this fight. There is a lot of work left to do and I know with you on our side, we are going to get there!”

So now, I am once again looking to both of them to give me the strength and motivation I need to get through my next great challenge. On October 17, 2010, I will be running the Nike Women’s Marathon as part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. I am dedicating every inch of those 26.2 miles to their battle, their strength and their love. THIS ONE’S FOR JAKE!

Since its founding 60 years ago, LLS has invested more than $600 million dollars in research to find cures. A dedicated staff and countless volunteers work round the clock to educate patients and medical professionals on new treatment options and cutting edge research, all the while providing financial and emotional support to millions. As a result, five year survival rates for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma are on the rise and none of this would be possible without the generosity of everyday people.

In addition to running 26.2 miles, I have set a personal goal to raise $5000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and I need your help to do it. I am respectfully asking you to give generously to this worthy cause. Any gift is acceptable, helpful, and very much appreciated.

If you have any questions or want to send a word of encouragement, please feel free to call me at (914) 466-4067 or email me at theresa.petrone@lls.org

Thank you so much for your support.