I'm on a mission to help find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers. To accomplish that mission, I’m participating in my 8th 26.2 mile marathon for this worthy cause. Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support; I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.

Cancer has taken the lives of several of my close family members, including my father, aunt, cousin, and sister-in-law. In September 2011 it struck my family once again when my cousin Michael was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma..

It is heartbreaking to see him and his young family struggle through months of chemo and uncertainty. So I am running the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Madrid in Michael's honor on April 22, 2012

Cancer in its many forms leaves its mark on most families. My brother, Guy della Cioppa, who was doing important cancer research was killed in a tragic car accident in March 2006. I feel that in this small way, maybe I can help to further the cause that was his passion in life. Only through research by dedicated people like him, with financial help from people like you, can we look forward to a world that will one day be cancer free.

I run in honor of

Michael Kaminski, my cousin battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Lowell Simpson, my friend who lost his battle to lymphoma.

Patricia Hunter, my friend who lost her battle to lymphoma.

Laura Sizemore, my sister-in-law who lost her battle to lymphoma.

Jesus Daniel Melenez, who lost his battle to Leukemia & Lymphoma.

William Gill, who lost his battle to leukemia.

Lujean Fetchenhier, honored teammate, battling leukemia.

Stephanie Hill, battling lymphoma.

Michael Tambornino, who lost his battle to lymphoma.

Loren Marshall, taken by cancer.

Marius Natale della Cioppa, my dad taken by cancer.

Tom Schlarb, my friend taken by Hodgkin's lymphoma

Keith Dennis, my cousin who just lost his battle to leukemia

As you can see, too many have been lost and too many lives are being destroyed by this dreaded disease!

Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures.

If you prefer to donate by check or money order, please make it payable to LLS and mail it to me at the following address so it will be credited to my fundraising campaign.

Caren della Cioppa, PO Box 1881, Palmer, Alaska 99645

Photos for cancer

I also have my nature & travel photos for sale on my website, Habataku. 100% of the price of the photos will go directly to my Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team In Training fund.

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