I am Luigi. I am a 37 year-old recently-diagnosed leukemia patient.

Until four months ago I didn’t know much about leukemia. Overnight, without warning, my life was turned upside down and I was thrown into a new reality. After a period of complete shock and disbelief, I was provided with useful information as to how to manage this deadly disease.

As of July 2012, I have done the first part of the treatment and now I am hopeful about what lies ahead. While I wait for my body to respond, the doctors informed me that I am healthy enough to exercise. So, I decided to go against my introverted nature and announce my condition to friends, acquaintances, the LLS and whoever might be listening. I did it because I can be useful to the plight of finding a cure to blood cancer. I want to shine a light on this nasty affliction and send out a message of hope to those who are sick and a call to action to those who can help.

During the past 2 months, I have endured physical pain and psychological struggles, I have trained hard and I have overcome my fear. I am riding my bicycle across the United States, from Washington DC to Vancouver, Canada in less than 35 days to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Cancer research, coupled with self-belief and determination, helps millions of patients to live. This is what I believe in, this is the real miracle: the power of research to find the right medication and the power of the mind to stay focused.

I feel privileged to be able to support the LLS. An incredible amount of funds has been collected on behalf of LLS to keep people alive, to cure patients of blood cancers, to give hope to the newly-diagnosed. However, much more needs to be done. I invite you to be part of this family, to join the effort. Please contribute to the cause of saving lives by making a donation.

As you are reading this I might be riding my bicycle across the country. So please check on me, track my progress, see where I am in the world and drop me a message of support at www.luigilaraia.blogspot.com.

Your donation truly changes 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 join our team's effort today by registering to walk or by making a donation. Your participation in the Light The Night Walk will help save lives. Be sure to check our team Web site frequently to see our progress, and thanks for your support!

Thank you!