The fight against cancer has raged on for decades. Signficant progress has been made over the decades, but there is still much work to be accomplished.

I have participated in many philanthropic activities throughout my life. However, none of these activities have hit home such as my participation with Team In Training.

I have lost 2 family members in the last 21 months to cancer- my grandfather Joseph who passed away 6 months after his diagnosis, and my father Roddy who fought a courageous 5 year battle but ultimately succumbed to the disease.

My mother was diagnosed 8 months ago with sideroblastic anemia. This is a precursor to Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. To date, her treatments have been unsuccessful and is now facing the possibility of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, or both.

When researching Leukemia and Lymphoma, I was scared to the point of actually being frozen in my seat when I read that these diseases are the NUMBER ONE cause of death in people under the age of 20. I pulled out the pictures of Tabitha and Gracie, my daughters of 4 and 2, respectively. If not helping to possibly save the lives of others who have the disease, I realize that my efforts to raise money for the Society may ultimately save my own dauthter's lives someday in the unfortunate event of a positive diagnosis of Leukemia or Lymphoma

As a physician, I was already aware of a HUGE FACT about cancer treatments, which you all may not know. Did you know that most cancer treatments have some type of roots with the treatments for Leukemia and Lymphoma? Hence, when you contribute to my fundraising efforts, you are not only helping to fight Leukemia and Lymphoma, but supporting efforts on the cancer front as a whole!!!

Your donations to my efforts do MAKE A DIFFERENCE. The need for continued research, education, awareness, and support for our cancer community is a large one.

I thank you all for your support of me in reaching my fundraising goal.