Mulch Madness

March 11:  

Some people start talking about "March Madness" this time of year, but around here we start talking about "MULCH Madness."  What is Mulch Madness?  It's an annual fundraiser we do for our ward's youth group.    It's a HUGE undertaking where we deliver thousands and thousands (this year about 40,000) bags of mulch to local residents and it partially funds all of our youth activities for the summer.  

Usually I let Glen and the kids take the lion-share of our family's involvement with the fundraiser and I stay home with the younger kid(s).   This year, though, Glen was too busy and it was me or nothing, so I've spent the last two days toting vanfuls of youth around town and throwing around 50-lb bags of mulch like they were nothing.  

Here is my crew from yesterday.   

They may be cute and petite, but that doesn't mean they were wimpy!  I got to witness their amazing strength up close and personal!

They were AWESOME!!!!  

...and I slept VERY soundly last night.  

March 12: 
Today we woke up at the crack of dawn to go for day 2 of Mulch Madness.   This time Emma and friends went with another driver and  I ended up with Adam in my group.

He and his friends were bursting with energy and it was fun to watch their enthusiasm and positive attitude for a demanding job.  

I thought it especially funny that they just randomly decided to do a sit-up for every bag of mulch they delivered.  That meant nearly 900 just today and still they were smiling at the end of the day.   

My Saturday work crew!  

We delivered record numbers of mulch this year and still managed to finish in record time.   

We can definitely check this off as another successful MULCH MADNESS fundraiser! 

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A Lemonade Stand to Raise Money for Childhood Cancer Research

As part of the Alex's Lemonade Stand Leadership Conference that Cami is participating in this week, they are hosting a virtual lemonade stand to raise money for childhood cancer research.  

http://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/1117142

Anyone who knows our family well at all, knows that this is a cause that is near and dear to our hearts and I invite you to take a moment and donate to the cause if you can.   Even a small amount makes a difference!

Because cancer is much more common in adults than children, only about 4% of cancer research money  is earmarked for helping children with cancer.  But it's because of childhood cancer research that there are  types of childhood cancer that are highly curable.  Spencer's form of leukemia (AML), however,  was very aggressive and even 10-years ago his chances for survival would have been much lower than they already were.    Even now, well less than 50% achieve long term survival.    Together we can make a difference and improve those odds even more!

Make a donation at:  http://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/1117142 

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He did it!

After months and months of training and fundraising, he did it!   

On Friday night we went to a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) inspiration dinner where Glen learned that, despite not quite reaching his goal yet, that he had placed third on his team of over 100 participants for fundraising amounts. 

After a pasta dinner to give the runners some good fuel, they had some speakers lined up to help inspire the team before their big race.    Immediately following a very entertaining writer from Runner's World (who also happens to be a huge supporter of LLS), it was Glen's turn to give a short presentation about the human side of the purpose of Team in Training.  Glen brought our family picture taken during Spencer's treatment and shared a bit of our story.  He closed by reading the "Little Soul," (that never fails to move me to tears) and thanked everyone for all they were doing to make a difference in the fight against blood cancers.  He returned to his seat and looked up to find the entire room giving him a thunderous standing ovation.  It was a proud moment. 

He went to bed that night with a nervous excitement about the upcoming race.  Saturday morning dawned early but happy, when Glen learned that overnight he'd met his fundraising goal.  It got the morning off to a great start and he was cheerful and chipper as he headed out with his brother in the wee hours of the morning.

I had every intention on going down to cheer him on and watch him finish, but alas our old car wouldn't start and I ended up having to  drive all five kids to their five different activities  (instead of Spencer being able to help with the driving).   At least I thought to take this one picture as he hopped out of the car on the way into the Metro station. 

Much to the happiness of 35,000+ runners (and a whole bunch of mulch haulers), the predicted rain and cold held off until the late afternoon and they actually ended up with a beautiful day for physical exertion--not too warm, not too cold, and not a drop of rain until it was all over.  Glen wasn't aiming for any specific time.  In fact his quote when asked is that he hoped to finish the race the same day he started, which I'm pleased to say he accomplished without issue!   

He and his brother came home exhausted and famished, but happy to be done.  We spent the rest of the day picking up kids from their various activities and trying to make sure that the marathoners did not starve.    Glen's brother Alex left bright and early on Sunday morning and now Glen is turning his thoughts to his 100 mile bike ride coming up on June 1st. 

Go Glen! 

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In the Media

I've decided to make a blogpost linking to all of the articles and media coverage that Glen and Spencer are getting right now.  I'll add to this list if/when any more articles pop up along the way. 

Glen's marathon is this Saturday and he is only a couple hundred dollars short of meeting his fundraising goal.  He's worked hard training and fundraising and I am proud of his efforts.  Please consider even a small donation to help him reach his goal by Saturday. 

MEDIA COVERAGE

Fairfax Times:  This article was actually on the front page of the Fairfax Times' website yesterday.   The print version comes out tomorrow. 

Fairfax Connection:  I hope Ellie forgives us someday for sending that picture of the kids to the paper.  We love the picture of everyone else, especially Spence, but that look on Ellie's face is priceless.    I don't know about a print version for this paper. 

Rock 'N' Roll Marathon:  This was the original article that got all the media coverage started.

Glen's Fundraising Page:   Help a good cause by donating to Glen's fundraising page for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS).  If you still need a little convincing, keep in mind that Glen sends wristbands to everyone who donates.  :)

This Week's Top 5

5--Cami was approached by a member of the school newspaper about doing a report on her New Year's cupcake sale that raised $450 for Glen's Team in Training fundraiser.  Later she was approached by the journalism teacher about the possibility of writing about it in the local community paper.  I will post links as they are published! 

4--I am slowly discovering the joys of taking pictures on my new iPhone and being able to send them to people immediately.  It means that I'm not toting around my big camera as often, which while great for keeping track of home remodeling ideas while I'm out and about, unfortunately seems to be taking a toll on my blogging frequency. 

3--Emma made a gorgeous Danish for our Sunday morning breakfast.  I definitely could get used to the 1:00pm church time with fancy breakfasts like this coming my way! 

2--Glen received his order of custom wristbands to give to people who donate to his Team in Training fundraiser.  They say "Livestrong" on the yellow portion, "Beat Leukemia" on the orange portion, and "Team Spencer" on the purple portion. 

1--With the help of my awesome sister, Heather, I finished the YW project I was working on and absolutely LOVE the way it turned out! 

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