So, WOW! We are officially 50% of the way to the 12in12in2012 official $12,000 goal!!! Thank you to all of you who have contributed!! You are all amazing!
So what does $6,000 mean to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society? Well, before I answer that question, let me introduce you to someone....
This young lady of 3 precious years old is named Megan (yes, it is a total coincidence but one that I believe God firmly had a hand in). Megan, or Meggie as her friends and family call her, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on April 4, 2010 when she was 18mos old. After a long struggle with recurring illness, her Mom (Kelly) attributed her continuous battles with ear infections and fevers to her introduction to day care. One day Kelly took her for a routine well-child appointment at the pediatrician's office and decided during the visit to have a lead blood test done because they live in a 100 year old home. The very next day they were called and asked to bring Meggie back to the doctor's office because something was not right with her hemoglobin levels. It was discovered after further testing that Meggie had Leukemia.
Two years later, Meggie is still fighting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. "ALL" is caused by malignant, immature white blood cells that continuously multiply and are overproduced in the bone marrow. It can cause damage and death by crowding out normal cells in the bone marrow, and by spreading to other organs. Meggie is quite the little fighter and has gone through Chemotherapy and receives spinal taps to check for Leukemia. Yes, you read that correctly... SPINAL TAPS.
The above is not written by LLS or TNT. I wasn't given a manuscript. Meggie is my co-worker Stacy's niece. As I've run these half marathons and raised this $6,000, I've met more and more people that have a connection to Leukemia/Lymphoma. They are the fighters or the parents, siblings, cousins and friends of someone fighting cancer. And they are crazy inspiring. Meggie could be anyone's child. She could be my niece or my godchild. Cancer doesn't discriminate. Meggie will be my honored hero for my San Diego half marathon and you are going to see/hear a lot more about her!! Her name and picture will be on my jersey and will serve to remind us as to why we are doing this. Why you all have donated to LLS once, twice or multiple times this year!!
It is hard for me to not get caught up in the running of this journey. It's hard for me to not place the running as the #1 priority. Honestly, the running is easier to do! Fundraising is hard! But little girls like Meggie remind me that the Fundraising really is #1. But sometimes we need a good reminder about what your money is going towards. So here is of what our $6,000 is doing...
$7,500 Funds a program to educate 200 doctors on emerging treatments for a specific blood cancer.
$3,500 Funds a program to educate 70 nurses on emerging treatments for a specific blood cancer.
$1,000 Provides one week’s salary for a medical researcher who may discover key information for developing curative treatments for blood cancers.
$1,000 Makes possible one-on-one conversations with health care specialists who provide patients with information about their disease, treatment options, and helps prepare them with questions for their health care team.
My reminder came straight from Meggie's Mom, Kelly
"I can't begin to tell you how appreciative and thankful my family and I are to have people like you supporting the fight to beat this dreadful disease. Keep fighting and running, we are supporting you all the way!"
It's a new tax season folks.... :)
Megan, I am just now tuning in to your blog. I am Beth G.'s mom. I read several of your posts and I remember some of those slide tackles of which you speak . :-)
ReplyDeleteI have a connection to ALL as well as we have had 2 children from our school who were diagnosed with this in the last 3 years. Unfortunately, one of these little boys did not make it, despite a valiant fight and 2 bone marrow transplants from his sister. The other is currently in remission. He also had a bone marrow transplant from his brother .
I'm so proud of you and what you're doing. I will be making a donation. Good luck in Nashville.