Dana Blaugrund's PledgePage


Dear Family & Friends,
Every five minutes, someone in the United States learns they have leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma. On November 5, 2002, this statistic became a reality for one of my closest friends Adine. Her father, Ali Bagheri was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), an aggressive cancer of the blood. The doctors told her family that he had six months to live. Unfortunately they were right. Ali passed away six months and nine days later.

Adine and her family are only 1 of 106,300 Americans affected each year with blood related cancer. In an effort to make a difference, I have joined TEAM IN TRAINING, the world’s largest sports & endurance training program, in a nationwide effort to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I am training to race-walk the half marathon at the P.F. Changs’ Rock ‘N Roll Arizona on January 11, 2004. TNT participants physically train for 4-5 months under an experienced coach all while raising money to put toward this great cause.

These diseases kill 58,300 Americans a year. Leukemia is the #1 cause of death in children between the ages of 1-15. That’s the bad news…
The good news is that the survival rate has risen from 4% in 1960 to
81% in the last decade.

The more I learned about TNT & The Society, the more I’ve realized what an awesome program it really is! I have spent many hours thinking of what Adine and her family went through and my wish would be that no one else would have to go through the grueling days at the hospital, receiving chemotherapy and having so many unanswered questions and heartaches.

In addition to the support of the coach, mentors (past TNT participants) staff, and team, I have received five incredible honored hero’s. They are all in remission now, hopefully getting better and stronger each and every day.

I am writing to each of you to ask for your support. Over 75% of my personal goal of $4,000 will go back to The Society for research, patient services, advocacy, and education. If you choose to contribute, please fill out the attached donation form and send it with your TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation back to me before December 5, 2003. Please know that NO DONATION IS TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE… every bit helps! If you are unable to contribute financially at this time, I ask that you keep me and all involved in The Society in your prayers. That, too, will make a huge difference!

Thanks in advance for your support! I know Ali would be proud! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email me. You can also log onto my website at http://danab.pledgepage.com and follow my progress. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Sincerely,

Dana Blaugrund