Monday, February 20, 2012

Power of One

Did you know that cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children in the United States?   Did you also know that more than 1/3 of all childhood cancers are cancers of the blood (like leukemia and lymphoma)?   

I'm sure you've all heard of the Race for the Cure or the Avon 50-Mile Walk, both of which facilitate raising funds for breast cancer research, but did you know that there are also organizations, like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS),  which devote themselves solely to finding a cure for blood cancers?   

Although I consider my siblings and parents to be among my best friends in the world,  I am ashamed to admit that there are some of my 60+ first cousins that I wouldn't recognize if I crossed them on the street.  And yet despite the distance the years have brought us, they have rallied to our sides during this crisis and reached out in ways--big and small.  From shaving or donating their hair, to cards, to prayers, to messages, to generous gifts...they have been a wonderful support to us, for which we are very grateful.

Out of all the familial love we have received, one of the most personal connections we've made  through this has been with my cousin, Carol.  We grew up more than a thousand miles away from each other and only saw each other every couple of years or so at Hepworth family reunions, but immediately upon hearing of our news she was offering her support in a way that very few people ever could.   

You see, my cousin is a survivor of a blood cancer herself.  Sadly I don't even know what kind of lymphoma she had, but I do know that her words of advice and almost 10 years in remission have been an inspiration to us. 

So imagine how honored we felt, when she asked if she could ride in a 100-mile bike ride for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Team in Training in honor of Spencer.   Although always inclined to add my extra dollar at the checkstand to places like St. Jude's which specialize in childhood cancer research, never before has finding a cure meant so much to us and we are thrilled to be able to contribute to the cause in this small way.

While just a few decades ago, a leukemia diagnosis was almost a sure death sentence, advances in treatments have now made survival rates for some types of leukemia as high as 90%.  Survival rates for Spencer's type (acute myeloid leukemia subtype m5) are as high at 70%, depending on certain factors. 

I know many of you out there, especially those who are far away,  wish there was some way you could help us and today I am inviting you to go to my cousin, Carol's fundraising page and donate some amount, any amount, to helping find a cure for leukemia. 

Do it for Spencer and for the thousands of other children and adults who will be diagnosed with blood cancers this year. 

Click on the logo to go to Carol's  fundraising page
Thank you.

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Update

Spencer is 100% committed to sticking with the following treatment plan:

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"Changes can come from the power of many, but only
   when the many come together to form that which is invincible....
                            the power of one." 
 
                                                                                                    ~Bryce Courtenay

3 comments:

Steve-Rosanna said...

Where in the world did you ever come up with such a powerful concept as the "power of one?" ;o)

What a blessing that Carol's support is providing.

K said...

I really like Spence's plan! Hope that works out well for him!

I's been a very long time since I've seen our cousin Carol. She's doing a great thing with fundraising. Hopefully, in 20 years blood cancers will be a thing of the past!

Lots of love to everyone.

PS I still remember Dad making every visitor that came to our house watch "The Power of One".

K said...

It's probably a very obnoxious thing to say, but I wish there was a paypal option on the donation page. I am always a little hesitant about putting all my personal info on a site I'm not familiar with. Is that lame or what?

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