My Personal Mission

As a 10-year leukemia survivor, I am participating in the 2008 Lake Placid Ironman to raise money for blood cancer research to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and to educate the general population about cancer survivors who lead active and productive lives.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission:

The Society’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. The Society has dedicated itself to being one of the top-rated voluntary health agencies in terms of dollars that directly fund its mission.
 
About the Society’s Man & Woman of the Year campaign:

Each spring, in 44 of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s chapters across the country, individuals are nominated to participate in the Society’s “Man & Woman of the Year” fundraising campaign. During the almost 10-week campaign, the candidates join together with the goal of raising as much money as possible to fund research to cure blood cancers, while competing with one another to raise the most money in the campaign. Candidates raise money through donations from family and friends, corporate sponsorships, a silent auction, and fundraising events.

For the past 17 years, the Man & Woman of the Year teams have raised an amazing $32 million for research, patient care, advocacy and education. In 2007 the National Capital Area’s 14 candidates raised a record-breaking $860,000. The goal for the 2008 National Capital Area team is $1 million. The money will be raised in honor of two leukemia survivors – Hunter Ruderman, age 8 (“Boy of the Year”) and Hannah McNeal, age 7 (“Girl of the Year”).