Riding to Save Lives

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

How can you say 'No' to this face?! I'd like to intoduce you to Ben, my patient hero. He is the inspiration behind my commitment to raise more than $4,500 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by cycling 100 miles around Lake Tahoe on June 7th.

Ben is a 6 year-old boy with Down Syndrome who is currently in treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. He was diagnosed with ALL on 5/25/07 and has been doing well. He has been through a LOT with his treatments but his spirit is bright.

I had the chance to meet Ben in January, as well as his brother and sister. He is funny and loves to tell "knock-knock" jokes and secrets. He loves hugs & kisses and is so friendly. I didn't get a joke out of him, but I did get a great big hug! You wouldn't know that he has been fighting blood cancer for almost two years!

This commitment has been overwhelming. People think it's crazy to bike 100 miles in a day and they often ask, "How do you do that?" The only answer is one mile at a time. And I have to keep reminding myself I can raise this huge amount of money one dollar at a time. But I cannot do it without your help.

I know times are tough for everyone, but I need your help! Ben and other kids just like him need your help. Even if all you can afford to donate is $1, that puts us $1 closer to our goal and to help find a cure for these blood cancers. If you can afford $5, even better! And,hey, I'll never turn away $100 either! :)

Please, my friends, help out in any way you can. This rough economy not only is taking it's toll on personal budgets, but it is having quite an impact on important and life-saving organizations such as the Leukemia Society. Not only are they receiving less in funding, there is a stronger need for their services more than ever. People are losing their jobs and insurance, but cancer is still attacking. LLS programs and services are still helping those in need and are needed now more than ever.

I appreciate every cent you can afford to donate to this cause that is so important and helpful in our community!