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September 15, 2003
Help SunSword fight cancer!
So, many of you may be wondering what possible reason I could have for wanting to run a marathon. I've re-written this post many times. Sometimes funny, sometimes not. The short of it is, I'm asking all of you to dig into your pockets and support my fundraising efforts against cancer. Here's why:
Well, when I returned to Origin Systems late last year, I met a woman on the executive staff that was training for a triathalon. I was impressed, particularly because she was a bit older than I. We began to talk about triathalons (I had done one once in high school) and other events. I eventually learned that she was doing it to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I thought to myself, that's a great idea. I really need to get back into shape, I'm about to turn 30, and it's for a great cause. Maybe I'll do that.
Skip forward 8 MONTHS. I haven't started training for a triathalon. I haven't begun excersizing. I was officially halfway through my 29th year. But one day, I get a flyer in the mail for something called "Team In Training." I read the flyer and discovered how they train athletes for endurance events in return for fundraising efforts that go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. "That's a great idea!" I think to myself. So I tell my wife, "I think I'm going to do this. The first sign-up meeting is this weekend." She says, "Ok," but looks at me like "Uh-huh, sure." (I tend to get lots of ideas like this, many of which, shall we say, don't pan out?)
I missed that meeting, the first weekend. I don't know, maybe I forgot. Maybe I wasn't really serious about it. Well, fate must have gotten tired of sending me subtle hints. That very next week, I got a terrible phone call from my Mother. My 4 year old little neice, a firey red-head we call "Asha," had been diagnosed with Leukemia. To top it off, her father (my brother) had just left for boot camp. :(
Needless to say, I went to the very next meeting and signed up. There's not much I can do to help little Asha, but the truth is, she doesn't really need my help. She's a fighter, and she has a good family around her. She faces 2 years of chemotherapy, and there's just nothing I can do about it. But perhaps, due in some small way to my efforts, one day, a little girl won't get lukemia because of Team in Training and the Lukemia and Lymphoma Society. Read on for information about how you can support me in the cause to fight blood-related cancers.
Notes:
First, you can either make your payment out to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or to me, Anthony Castoro. If you make the payment to me, I will lump the donation in with one big check, which my employer will match. By all means, if you are uncomfortable making it out to me, then just put the LLS on the to: line.
Second, I'm going to setup a PayPal account this week, where you can just send the money directly. But for now, here's the snail mail way to contribute.
If you are going to mail a donation, please email me at sunsword@sunsword.com and I will send you my mailing address and instructions.
To give you an idea of how much to donate, 75% of donations go directly to research or patient services. For example:
- $32.00 - Prescription for anti-nausea medicine.
- $54.00 - One week of low grade chemotherapy.
- $75.00 - Screening for bone marrow donor.
- $100.00 - Monthly blood analysis.
- $200.00 - Blood transfusion.
- $500.00 - Blood Chromosome analysis.
I hope many of you will contribute and support me in my personal fight against cancer. If any of you need proof of my dedication, just read the last month and a half of this website.... Tahnk you for taking the time to read this entire post. Return to the website HERE.
Posted by SunSword at September 15, 2003 12:16 AM
Comments
*hug* Araceli and I are very proud of you. We'll be rooting for you at the finish line!
Posted by: Wifey at September 16, 2003 12:15 AM
I think it's just awesome that you are doing this! I keep picturing you training like in "Rocky", jumping rope and dressed like a hooligan to go jogging. When it's all over we can all go to cheesecake factory and I'll hook you up. :)
Posted by: Sarsmi at September 16, 2003 12:17 AM
Good luck Sun. After losing my wife to cancer I've helped with fund raisers. Your Team in Training experience seems great. I've just sent off for info.
Posted by: Wolf at September 17, 2003 08:31 AM
I am terminally ill, happy, laughing and have produced a web site which is an idiot's guide to accepting, living with, laughing at and even dying from cancer or other serious illness. The very, very last bit I can't be absolutely sure of but then who can? I could have put together some beautifully crafted, grammatically correct essays but I hope you will understand, that when I say "I don't have a lot of time" I mean it far more literally than you do. I wanted to publish some thoughts which may just light a spark in some people and help them or their families to deal with their situation. I am receiving overwhelming support from the general public MPs, doctors nurses etc.
It just may change your view of things.
I am not selling anything and I am not supporting a cause, religion or other group. As you will see from the site, it seems that some people's lives have been changed for the better merely by looking at this different approach.
KindRegards
Cass Brown
http://cancergiggles.blog-city.com/read/472766.htm
Posted by: Cass Brown at February 28, 2004 08:44 PM
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