Say Good-bye to Leukemia

One of my friends/co-workers is doing a Triathlon in Texas for the fight against Leukemia & Lymphoma. Any support that I can drum up for Katie would be greatly appreciated!!! Please Help if you can! Katie's letter and link to donate is below..... Remember, any donation, no matter how small is a tax deduction!

Dear Friends and Family,

Now that I?ve been living in Austin for a while and have gotten somewhat accustomed to the climate and can handle blistering heat and high humidity for almost 5 minutes at a time, I?ve decided to tackle a much more serious issue. After careful consideration, I have signed up to do the Capital of Texas Triathlon to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

I?ve made a personal commitment to help others by joining The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training. I?m training to complete an Olympic-distance triathlon, which will include a 1-mile swim, 24-mile bike ride and 6-mile run. My team and I not only run, bike, and swim together, we are also raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This money will fund research, education and patient assistance for those dealing with blood-related cancers including leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin?s disease and myeloma.

You may wonder why I?m doing all this. I wondered too, but only for a little while. While doing another triathlon, I saw a woman who had to be helped into the water because she was missing her left leg, lost due to cancer. The crowd cheered wildly as she passed her crutches off to a helper. I have never forgotten that sight and would like to do whatever I can to insure it doesn?t have to happen to another person.

Cancer, in one way or another, has affected all of us. Something that many people are unaware of is that chemotherapy was discovered as a result of research funded by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

My Team in Training is keeping me on pace with my training and offering invaluable advice and encouragement. Swimming and cycling come easily to me so with a little training under my belt and a lot less chocolate in my cupboards, I?ll be OK. For me, the run portion of this event will be my own personal struggle but it?s a lot easier than sitting thru a few rounds of chemotherapy.

I?m training and will complete this event in honor of all those who have gone before me.

My goals are to:
Finish the Capital of Texas Triathlon with my dignity intact
Raise no less than $2,500 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Will you help me reach my fundraising goal? Your contribution of any amount is 100% tax-deductible. You can contribute by writing a check payable to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or you can use a credit card. Please fill out the enclosed form and send it back with your contribution by April 15, 2005. Donations can also be made through my website at: http://www.active.com/donate/tntctx/tntctxKLane

Thanks!
Katie