Maryland Woman is Racing for the Cure to Blood Cancers

Lori R. Stone, a resident of Germantown, Maryland is training to run a marathon this June. She has committed to a six-month marathon training program to race for a great cause.

Every five minutes, someone in the United States learns they have leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma, and every ten minutes, a child or adult dies from one of these diseases, there is still no cure. The five-year survival rates for the blood cancers that affect children and adults alike are improving, but they have a long way to go to match many other cancers.

Ms. Stone is a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. By donating time and energy to participating in various endurance events members raise funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. The Society funds research, provides direct aid to patients in need, and offers the most comprehensive program of services available for these cancers.

"I'm completing this event in honor of my Mother who valiantly fought a tough battle with lymphoma for 8 years before losing the battle at age 38. She left behind three young daughters. I was only 15 and my sisters were only 13 and 8 when my Mom died. Throughout her battle with cancer my Mom kept such an optimistic attitude and had such perseverance. She taught us to never give up. So my goal is to not give up in my training and to make it to the finish line at the marathon," Lori stated during a warm-up walk.

Lori will be running the Mayor's Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska on June 23, 2007. She can’t train for this event alone, she needs your support. "I would be honored if the community would help me reach my goal for this race.” Ms. Stone has set her personal goal to collect at least $4700 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. You can join her on her journey by making a tax-deductible donation to support her campaign and help advance the Society's mission. Donations will need to be made by May 28, 2007. There’s no better feeling than knowing you were a part of an amazing mission that successfully helped so many people!

Lori set up a website so you can follow her journey to the marathon or to donate online: http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/loreli

Examples of how donations are used include:
• $500 provides a patient with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma with patient aid to support medical treatment and to travel to medical appointments for one year.
• $400 funds a Family Support Group program for one year.
• $100 provides 3 patients access to information teleconferences.
• $100 allows 4 patients to make first connections with trained peer counselors.

"I want to thank everyone in advance for their love and support! This is an exciting challenge so I thank you all for choosing to support my efforts to make a difference. I will be thinking of you all as I cross the finish line in June!”