I was browsing the Leukemia & Lymphoma’s Society’s website earlier today and found these interesting data points about where the funds in 2010 were distributed in terms of researching of specific blood-related cancers. Take a look and comment below if you think it is what you expected and should it have gone somewhere else.
From lls.org:
In fiscal year 2010, LLS invested $72 million in blood cancer research.
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My friend and cancer suvivor Doug Booth wrote me an email today talking about the cause, his diagnosis, and current health. Read below and know that the donations that you give to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society help people like Doug.
Email from Doug Booth …..
I heard an organization’s mission statement in January of 2003. It had no meaning to me if I’d heard it in November of 2002, but by the end of December of 2002, I didn’t realize that soon those words were nearly all that I would focus on. “The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. “ Corporate America had taught me that mission statements were what some folks for some reason strived for. Modern Medicine would soon teach me that a blood cancer diagnosis of Stage 4 Lymphocytic Lymphoma was something that needed special attention by special people, with a lot of hope.
Almost four years later, after eight different chemo drugs, and experiences with many individual cancer journeys, dedication of special people and mountains of hope, I had met people (mainly endurance athletes) that wanted to make a difference in society. I had met a couple of people (soon to be special friends) that were dedicated to making a difference in my world – like me, for their reasons, focused on “curing blood cancers and improving the quality of life of patients”. In that time, I had met and experienced the intensity of Randy Ksar’s involvement with LLS and its mission (his mission) statement. From the beginning of our friendship, he showed me the unusual dedication that drove specially dedicated people. From the beginning of our friendship, he showed me how to “keep going”, how to “stay focused”, how to “be dedicated”.
This year, in June of 2011, I will celebrate five years of being in remission and free of cancer. I don’t know the specifics of the medicine and other things that have gotten me to this point but I do know the people that are that are very special to me. My children, my grandchildren, and a special friend that gives of himself totally, is focused on a future without blood cancers, and deserving of the title of LLS’s Man of the Year – Randy Ksar.
Posted in connection to the cause
Last week I went onto LinkedIn and posted a message on the San Jose State Alumni group (graduated in 1999) asking for help in spreading awareness about the 10k in 10 weeks campaign team. I wasn’t expecting anything but a donation came in from an alum Tom Hood. He is a leukemia survivor and lives in the Bay Area working at Peninsula Visa Services. Here is his story that he shared with me:
In 1989 I was promoted to General Mgr.for Pan Am in Denver. This was a feeding city to New York, Latin America, and Europe. We were handled by another airline which did not match up to the Quality of Service so I took it upon myself to Manage Airport and make Sales Calls plus all the Community Organizations I belonged to for Business Opportunities. This was also after the Bombing of PA103 over Lockerbie. I worked an entire year without a day off and no vacation to try to promote Pan Am. My days started at 5:30am and ended at 11pm . The airline continued to struggle and closed most of the feeder flights.
Shortly after returning to S.F. (1991) I became “very tired” and weak. Went in for blood tests 3 times and was told I had Chronic Lympositic Leukemia. This is usually caused by a challenged Immune system. (refer to hours etc in above paragraph). The bad news is I had a form of Leukemia –the good news is CLL is very treatable. It takes about 10 years in your system before you are treated with Chemo. I went through 6 months of chemo in 2001 and have been doing well since. In fact, I never missed work while doing chemo which I believe actually helped me survive. I now go in for blood tests every 3 months and see my Oncologist every 6 months. My counts are excellent and it has been 9 years since my chemo. Actually had semi retired but Nick Nicolas talked me into helping him out at Peninsula Visa/Passport Services whick I think is keeping me alive. Also an avid supporter of SJSU SPARTANS.
I lost my younger sister to Mesothyloma last year and she fought hard against an incurable cancer. My heart goes out to everyone fighting this disease.
>>>
Thank you Tom for sharing your story and your donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If you would like to donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society click on the donate button now.
Posted in connection to the cause
hey everyone. My name is Randy Ksar and I am a volunteer with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for the past 10 years in the Silicon Valley / Monterey Bay Chapter. I along with the rest of my teammates of 10K in 10 weeks are on a mission to fundraise for patients and to give doctors funds to find a cure. We are part of the Man & and Woman of the year fundraising campaign where for 10 weeks from March 10 to May 21st we are raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. My connection to the cause is numerous friends who have been touched by leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. I’ve seen how new cancer treatment drugs can cure my friends but have also seen how lack of a cure can end their battle.
Every one has a connection to the cause whether you know it or not. Whether it is your neighborhood, co-worker, grandfather, or cousin. Blood-related cancers and cancers for that matter doesn’t discriminate but I know that we can make the C word – CURE – reality with your help. I’m asking for your help in three ways:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, patients around the world, cancer researchers, myself, and Team 10K in 10 Weeks thank you.
Bookmark this blog for future stories from cancer survivors, where the funds are going, and how you can be a part of the team that finds a cure!
Randy Ksar
@djksar
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Tagged cancer treatment, chemo, cure, drugs, fundraiser, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, radiation, social contacts, survivor, team in training
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