Have you ever waited in a doctor’s office to receive test results?

Maybe even test results that could be Lymphoma, Leukemia or Cancer. How did it affect you? Has it changed your life?

Twice within a few months, my wait and long walk to the doctor’s inner office was good news. Not long after my second brush with cancer, the news was not as good. I learned that several friends and acquaintances were fighting Leukemia, Lymphoma or Cancer in some form or another. The same day I learned Miranda, the young woman above, was fighting hodgkins lymphoma, a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training mailer was in my car on top of my stack of mail.

It was like being tapped on the shoulder by life. Specifically, tapped to help Miranda, Jim, Gordy, Janelle, Skip, Paul, Ashley, Doreen, Ally.... and the list of people who are affected by cancers and lymphoma that bless my life continues to grow. They inspire me to be tougher, fearless and think bigger. Cancer sucks and we are going to beat it. Will you be part of the team?

We should be able to cure all cancer, leukemia & lymphoma. The survival rate for childhood leukemia has gone from a coin toss to 89% in twenty years. In the past ten years 39 new cancer drugs have been approved by the FDA, over half came from Leukemia & Lymphoma Society research. Leukemia is the #1 fatal disease of children and affects ten times as many adults. It is estimated that leukemia and its related cancers will strike over 100,000 Americans this year. We are so close to a 100% childhood leukemia cure; will you help?

Not long after that day, I started training to run a marathon and raise money to help cure all cancers. During that process, I met some incredible people rising above their challenge of Cancer, Leukemia or Lymphoma. Their zest for life and can-do attitude inspired me to overcome injuries, eventually finish two marathons, complete a half ironman triathlon, and in June I will run the Anchorage Mayors Marathon.

You can help; click the “Donate Now” button.

I run the 26.2 miles and you fund research

$2 a mile pays for bone marrow donation screening

$5 a mile will help a mother stay with her child in treatment

$10 mile helps a child travel to treatment right here in Seattle.

Will you join the fight to cure all blood cancers, leukemia & Lymphoma?

Your Donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is Tax deductable. You can make out a check to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and I will bundle it with others for donation. See below for my mailing address.

Feel free to send me a note of encouragement or an offer to help with a fundraising idea. And if you would like to volunteer, I can help you get started.

Check back for training season updates and pictures. You never know when someone will catch a Kodak moment.

I would like to thank those that have generously donated this year or indirectly donate by keeping my body in motion.

Silver City Brewing. Best beer in the state, and the nicest people.

Footwork’s physical therapy. Super Hero of foot & leg issues

Mobility Plus Healthcare. Best Sports Chiropractor in the world

Seattle Performance Medicine. The Doc of straight talk, wow and fix it.

Acupuncture Savvy. Teresa gets right to the point.

OS Winery. Wine that is the good life.

Martial Arts Master Jody Garcia, keeping me centered and alive

Michael Watkins

PO BOX 2209

Port Orchard WA 98366

winemakerguy@me.com