Thanks for visiting this site. Every year brings new goals and challenges. Some of these goals are modest – like eating less carbs or not getting caught leaving work early on Fridays. And some of these goals are not so modest – like finally going back to school for that Master’s degree I’ve been putting off forever. For 2004, I’ve set a goal that falls somewhere in between. On June 6th, I will ride the 2004 America’s Most Beautiful Ride – A 100-Mile Century Race around Lake Tahoe in Nevada and California for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in hopes of raising money in support of all the good things that they do.

The Society was founded in 1949 by a mom and dad who had lost their only son to leukemia. Its mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding, the Society has provided more than $350 million for research specifically targeting blood-related cancers.

Thanks to research supported by the Society’s TEAM IN TRAINING program, the five-year survival rate for children diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia has increased to 81%. In addition, patients with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma now have an overall survival rate of over 40%.

However, there is still much work to be done. Last year, Leukemia and other blood related diseases struck more than 100,000 Americans and more than 57,000 died from them. Leukemia is the #1 disease killer of children and it also affects even more adults. In 1960, the survival rate was 4%, but now thanks to continual research it has soared to over 80%! Each cyclist in this event trains and pedals in honor of a “patient hero” – mine is my aunt, Patty Ford, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. After remission in 1998, she was diagnosed again with bone cancer in 2003. I feel honored and motivated to be cycling for her. The inspiration from her will surely bring me across that finish line. With each pedal stroke, I will think of my aunt and her courageous fight.

So whether you need time to balance the checkbook and figure a donation into your budget, or whether you just closed that Swiss bank account and are looking to spread the wealth, I really appreciate any donation you can make. While reaching this goal again would certainly feel good, I know that any amount collected will help The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in its mission to find a cure. Every dollar makes a difference.

I thank you all for your support!

Thanks,
Cara Curreri

PS: Don't forget to sign my guest book before you leave.
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