My Fundraising Page

Cancer. It’s a word no one expects to hear, especially at age 40. Eight years ago, my doctor told me I had cancer – and it was a life-changing moment.

Perhaps the most meaningful part of my treatment included the three days I spent alone in a room at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. There was so much radiation running through my body that I couldn’t have any human contact. And in fact, anything I brought into the room had to be left behind because it became radioactive. I spent those three days alone, thinking about what I wanted to do; what I hadn’t yet done – and they became three of the most important days of my life.

Today, I am cancer free. I’ve had eight straight years of cancer-free screenings and have come to appreciate everything so much more. That is why Light the Night is so important to me, and I’m grateful to be serving as the Honorary Chair for this great event.

I hope you never have to hear that word – but if you do, know that treatment options are dramatically improved because of what we’re going to do the evening of November 10, 2011.

If you would like to support my endeavor to raise funds for cancer research, please feel free to make a donation on this page.

I appreciate you...

-Don

About this Cause:

For more than 60 years, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has been solely focused on people with blood cancers. Presently, we have more than $250 million committed to research across the United States and in ten other countries. Every dollar is provided by concerned donors. We invest in the best, outcome based science:

• Anywhere, with no geographic or institutional boundaries
• Without profit incentive
• To meet unmet Medicare needs of people with blood cancers

And LLS funded advances are helping patients beyond those for whom they were originally developed, including people with solid tumors and auto-immune diseases. In the past decade, nearly 50% (19 out of 39) of the cancer drugs approved by the FDA were approved as treatments for blood cancer patients. Twelve are already approved for people beyond those for whom they were first developed. With your help, we are saving 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!