My Fundraising Page

In Honor of Douglass Lubbers

Douglass S. Lubbers, 64, of Lower Macungie Township died at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Monday morning, April 25, 2011, surrounded by his wife and children. He was the loving husband of Susan Casey Lubbers with whom he celebrated his 39th wedding anniversary on February 5, 2011. Born in Bahrain and raised in West Chester County, New York, Doug was the son of William, deceased, and Marie Lubbers. He received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering in 1968 from the University of Notre Dame, a Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering from NYU and a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He began his 35 year career at Air Products in 1974 and retired in 2009. His career at Air Products was very rewarding; he developed many lifelong friends there as well as in the Chemical and Refining Industries. In 2005 Doug was honored with Air Products prestigious Chairmans Award for Excellence for his professional achievements. He was an active member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Doug served on the regional board of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and was very involved with fund raising. Seven years ago, he and fellow coworkers touched by blood cancers organized the First Rock the Night dance to kick off the annual Light the Night walk. Friday nights Rock the Night Survivors Talk which was to be given by Doug will be given by his son Matt in his honor. He was a dedicated coach for both his younger daughters soccer teams for over 10 years, as well as a coach for his sons T-ball and soccer teams. His vision for a local soccer complex became a reality in 2003 with the completion of the Lehigh Valley Sports Complex, to which Doug devoted a lot of time and energy to the projects completion. He served as Chairman of the St. Thomas More Soccer Program for years. He coached Special Olympics golf for his daughter and her friends. Doug was full of energy and thoroughly enjoyed his two and a half years of retirement. He was an avid golfer, although bridge, gourmet cooking and pie baking consumed a lot of his time. Doug valiantly fought a 13 year battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and the family is very grateful for the excellent care given by the doctors and nurses at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, especially his beloved Dr. Steven Schuster. Survivors: Wife, Susan; son, Matthew Lubbers and wife Ellen of Chicago, IL; daughters, Eve Langston and husband Roman of Littleton, CO, Susan Lubbers, Denver, CO, Elizabeth Lubbers at home; grandchildren, Will, Caroline and John Langston; brothers, Mark Lubbers, Charles Lubbers, David Lubbers; sisters, Mary Beth Lubbers, Patricia Molnar and Marie Garay. Services: Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church 1040 Flexer Ave. Allentown. Call Friday, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Church. Contributions may be made in Dougs memory to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 961 Marcon Blvd. #452, Allentown, PA 18109. Arrangements by the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown

Light The Night Walk is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's evening walk and fundraising event. It is the nation's night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of people battling blood cancers and to commemorate loved ones lost.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds lifesaving research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and treatments for other types of cancer, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life.

In fact, in 2009 alone, LLS researchers were conducting more than 90 clinical trials, a critical step in the development of new treatments and cures that will help patients live better, longer lives.

• A donation of $25 provides patients and their loved ones with FREE booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.
• A donation of $50 makes possible a Family Support group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members.
• A donation of $100 helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures.
• A donation of $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.

Please make a donation to support my participation in the Light The Night Walk and help save lives. Be sure to check my Web site frequently to see my progress, and thanks for your support!